Sharon was born in Florence, Ala., in 1957 and joined the 173d Airborne Brigade National Memorial Foundation Board of Directors in 2007.

She is the brother of Don Leslie Michael who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor in a White House ceremony in 1969.

Michael was 19 when he was killed on April 8, 1967, during a battle in Vietnam. His actions that day saved the lives of his platoon, which was pinned down and taking on heavy enemy fire. He was a part of the 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173d Airborne Brigade.

Like Don, Sharon grew up in the small north Alabama town of Lexington. She has worked at the Times Daily newspaper in Florence, Ala., since 1978.

“I got involved in this extremely worthy project because I think it’s important our country never forgets the men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedom,” she said. “It’s my hope to use this position as a voice for the thousands of parents and siblings who have experienced the pain that you only know from losing a loved one.”