I remember the first time I ever met my first soldier. I expected a giant of a man. Taller than my father. Stronger than the Hulk. Braver than the most gallant knight. But what appeared at my home was not what I thought it should be. Instead, I met a gentle man. A man of morals. A man who loved his family. A man who loved his country. He appeared as just a simple, ordinary man to most, but a hero to me.He's fought many battles, this soldier of mine, and I could not be prouder to call him Uncle.My goal was to have Loving Ms. Sheri published by June 1st. However, God had other plans. He had things to teach me before I could write them. This memorial day, I want to share a small excerpt with you. I pray the things you learn will create a passion in your heart to find out how you can help our returning soldiers and the families of those who are left behind. They deserve our respect and they deserve our support. The italicized information is factual. And there are many avenues in which you can help, all you need to do is look for the opportunity.I love you, B. Thomas...“Thank you, Graham.” The day had been more fun and enlightening than she imaged it would be.“For?” Graham shifted into the turning lane leading them from the heavy traffic of the interstate to the backroads that lead to Mt. Pleasant and finally to Palm Island.“This day. For allowing me a glimpse into your world. It was an amazing day.”“Thank you, Sheri. I enjoyed having you by my side.”“You never told me you were retiring, and you certainly never told me you were a Lieutenant Colonel.”“I’ve never been one to talk about myself.”“Seriously, Graham, a Lieutenant Colonel. That’s big stuff.”“It’s just a title, Sheri. I’m no better than the E-1 Private. We were all on the same team. Fighting the same enemy. My ranking did not make me a better man.”“But it took hard work and determination to get you there.”“It takes hard work and determination for any man to survive, especially a combat soldier. The young men who are enlisting now, deserve as much respect as I do. The battles they are facing are fiercer and more dangerous than any thing I went through. They need your admiration and prayers, Sheri, not me. I made it through, they are just beginning.”“I guess you are right.” Solemnness took over her features as she contemplated the many young men and women entering the battle field, fighting for the freedom of others, while their own families grieved their leaving. “More needs to be done.” She mumbled.“And that, my dear, is my reason for retiring from Graham and Son. My life has been so full, now it is my turn to give back. Besides the farm and youth camp, HOR is researching how to assist returning veteran’s as they come back into the states. It has always been a dream of mine to help my brothers and sisters on this side of the battle. Many of our soldiers come back to fight an enemy they cannot escape. They come back to broken marriages, financial loss, and many have medical issues that far exceed their benefits. According to the latest statistics, over forty thousand veterans are homeless on any given night. Over a million are at risk of homelessness. They deserve better than what they receive, Sheri.” Heat from his fiery passion seared her soul to the very cause he fought for.“How can I help?”“Do you really want to help?”“Yes, Graham, I do.”“Tomorrow morning, Michael, Cade and I are going to carry boxes of food to the homeless living under the old bridge off near the naval base.”“The one that was shut down a few years back for safety reasons?”“Yes, ma’am. That’s the one.” Graham nodded. “People are living under it.” Graham grimaced at the thought of his fellow comrades living in such a state. “They are good people, Sheri, they just fell on hard times and had no one to pick them up. We have found some of them jobs and we are trying to help with housing, but the need is far greater than our small organization. And each year, the number grows.”“Oh my, that’s horrible.” Sheri sniffled back the tears that tore from her soul. “I’d love to come with you.”Graham flashed his impish grin at her. “I’d like that, too. Afterward, I am going over to the Veteran’s Hospital to visit. I usually go every Wednesday. I also go by the B. Thomas Veteran's House to see if there is anything I can do for the families residing there while their loved ones are being treated. I was thinking maybe you could make some of your delectable biscuits for my friends.”“Oh, Graham, could I?” Sheri squealed with excitement. “You know what we could do? We could go to B. Thomas first and carry breakfast. I could fix some biscuits and apple roll overs. I could bring some of my jellies, too. And I have sausage and ham.”“You are an amazing woman, Ms. Sheri Dawson.”“No Graham, you are the amazing one. Look at what you are doing. Not only are you helping, you are enlisting others to help. You are too good to be true.”“No ma’am. There’s nothing amazing about me. I’m just too forgiven not to give.”