I’d like to bring you a beautiful story sent to me by Holly Whitt Sutherland.

Last week, Haleyville City Schools held “Super Hero Day.” While many students dressed up as Superman, Batman and others, a second-grader named Paxton Robertson dressed up as Mark Forester.

Who was Mark Forester?

Raised in Haleyville, Forester was shocked by what he saw back in 2001 on 9/11.

After graduating from the University of Alabama in 2006 with a degree in finance, Forester wanted to do more — so he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and insisted that he be sent to the front lines of Afghanistan.

In September 2010, while trying to save a fallen comrade, USAF combat controller Forester was killed by enemy fire.

Today, just over nine years to the day that Forester made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom, Paxton made “Super Hero Day” one to remember.

The patriotism exhibited by Forester, a true super hero (who was awarded the Silver Star and Bronze Star as well as the Purple Heart) will never be forgotten by those in Haleyville and across America, while the patriotism shown by Paxton Robertson should be admired and commended.

Both remind me of how proud I am to be an American.

You can learn more about Forester’s legacy here.

Rick Karle is a 24-time Emmy winning broadcaster and a special sports contributor to Yellowhammer News. He is also the host of the Huts and Nuts podcast.