Memorial Day is a great opportunity to reflect on the amazing country we live in and to remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in defending our country.  Briefly, I thought about writing about two famous American heroes: Pat Tillman and Jerry Coleman.  Col. Jerry Coleman was the longtime radio voice of the San Diego Padres.  On top of being a phenomenal baseball player (American League Rookie of the Year and World Series MVP).  He was a fighter pilot in World War II and the Korean War. He was the only major league baseball player to see combat in both wars.  If you have a moment, check out this story on mlb.com: Jerry Coleman.  

Pat Tillman was a very successful NFL Football player with the Arizona Cardinals.  After 9/11 he gave up a lucrative NFL contract to become an Army Ranger.  He was killed by friendly fire in Afghanistan a few years later.  Read more about Tillman and his foundation here: Pat Tillman Foundation.  Both men are great examples of true American Heroes.   

I think it is more important to honor one that you likely have never heard of because he was never famous. He is still just as much as an American hero as the other two.  His name is Kris Domeij and he was killed in Afghanistan in 2011 on his 14th combat deployment. Domeij killed in combat.  Kris and I went to the same high school. I was a few years older; while he was in high school I was in college.