Words won’t express our sorrow and distress over the tragic killings in Buffalo and Uvalde. Somehow, some way we must do better protecting America’s young, innocent and vulnerable. This Memorial Day, the Spirit of America team and I remember and honor all those who have served that goal and given their lives so the rest of us may live in peace. Here is one of their stories.

Sergeant First Class Alwyn Cashe, grew up in poverty in Oviedo, Florida, and enlisted in the Army shortly after graduating high school in 1988.

On the evening of October 17, 2005, near Samarra, Iraq, SFC Cashe’s vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device, which disabled the vehicle and engulfed it in flames. He got out safely. He then returned to his vehicle to save the driver trapped inside. While rescuing his driver, Cashe’s fuel-soaked uniform caught fire causing severe burns to his body.

Despite his wounds and under direct fire from enemy insurgents, Cashe returned to the vehicle to help four of his soldiers escape. Then he noticed two other soldiers had not been accounted for. He reentered the burning vehicle for a third time to retrieve them. Despite severe burns covering the majority of his body, SFC Cashe selflessly refused medical evacuation until all other wounded soldiers were evacuated first. Alwyn Cashe died from his wounds on November 8, 2005. 16 years later, on January 11th, 2021, SFC Cashe was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for valor and foremost devotion to his soldiers.

One of the ways we honor the memories of Alwyn Cashe and others who have made the ultimate sacrifice working to preserve the promise of a free and better life.