Today, as Ritchey lowered the flag to half-mast at 6:00 a.m., I thought about the many, many men and women who have given their lives for the cause of freedom. Many did not die during their effort, but their lives had to be changed in many ways, enduring battle, the enemy and the unknown. I would like to share photos of three of my ancestors who fought for our country.

Captain John Hancock Linton fought for the American cause in the Revolutionary War. He was captain of the Loudoun County militia. After the war, he and his family moved to Washington County, Kentucky. If you look carefully in the right-hand corner, you will see a two-year-old Julian. I love that I captured this new generation of descendants along with the gravestone of the Captain.

Isaiah Hill and Lydia Ann Ross, my great-grandparents. Isaiah fought for the Union Army during the Civil War. He contracted small pox in 1863 and spent several months in a Louisville hospital. He became blind in his right eye, and deaf in that ear.

My Uncle Joseph Robert Carrico fought during World War II. He gave his life in Sicily, manning the guns to protect others from enemy fire. Robert was ten years older than my mom. She was always in awe of him, talking about how handsome he was, how gentle and kind. How I wish I could have met him!

Thank you seems very insignificant when our ancestors have fought, some giving the ultimate sacrifice, for our freedom. Let’s not take that freedom for granted and raise them up for their heroism.