Harold Ritter Saunders

Harold Ritter Saunders, Jr., “Sonny”, 69, passed away on September 13, 2020. He was born on October 8, 1950 in Jacksonville, Florida. He is survived by his wife, Deborah A. Saunders, three daughters, Kelly Saunders, Jessie Higginbotham (David) and Cherie Dukes, three grandchildren, Donte, Lily and Daniel and his sister, Mary Denmark (Larry).

Harold loved the beach and surfing was a highlight of his life. After many years of straying away from his beloved salty waves, he took up his hobby once again earlier this summer.

He was a proud Marine, a veteran of the Vietnam War. Below is a poem written by Harold entitled A Marine’s Lament:

You say I have been trained to kill

and I didn’t join against my will.

I must admit that you are right

Still, I don’t love to fight.

Though fighting is a part of a Marine,

when you see what I have seen,

perhaps you will soon understand

why I want a free and peaceful land.

When sightless eyes stare at the sky

and death-cantered faces ask you why,

when you hear a friend’s last whisper goodbye

as you hold him and watch him die.

When comrades all about you fall,

never to answer another roll call.

The blood drenched green, a once fair land,

when death and men walk hand in hand.

War is war and there is no forgiving.

For those who have forgotten, life is for living.

I love my country and still ask why

for a foreign land, it wants me to die.

For amid the blood, the fire, the strife

I remain a man in love with life

but I know, no matter what I say,

if America calls, I must obey.

Harold “Sonny” Saunders, Jr. will be laid to rest on Monday, September 21, 2020 at the Jacksonville National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society.