This Memorial Day, we honor the sacrifice of one American soldier by sharing the voice of someone who never stopped waiting for him to come home.

In 1951, Pfc. Roland Lee Bowser was declared missing in action during the Korean War. For more than seven decades, his family carried the weight of unanswered questions and quiet prayers — never letting go of hope. Then, in March, just hours before she was set to speak to the Tennessee House of Representatives, Roland’s sister, Marjorie Ann “Marjie” Mahar--a current resident of White House with her husband Robert--received the call that changed everything.

Thanks to advances in forensic science, Roland’s remains had finally been identified. The answers Marjie, her brother Paul, and their family had longed for had arrived — a lifetime in the making.

In the years since Roland’s disappearance, Marjie came to know her brother not through shared memories, but through his letters, preserved in a family scrapbook. She learned his handwriting, his heart, and his hopes. She wrote him back — a letter she would later read in South Korea during a heroes’ remembrance ceremony and again on the day she got the call confirming her brother had been found.

Today, we share Marjie’s letter as a tribute to Roland, and to the thousands of families who still wait for news of their own missing heroes. It is a story of faith, resilience, and the deep love that binds siblings — even across 75 years of silence.

Hi Roland,

This is your baby sister, Marjie, the youngest of the eight children in our family. I'm all grown up now and l'm here with our brother, Paul in Seoul, South Korea. Warrenie would love to be here, too, but was not able to travel. We are the only siblings alive.

How I wish I could remember you, Roland. Everyone else remembers you and I tried so hard to believe I did but I was just a toddler when you left home to join the Army. As a young girl, I would stare at your picture and think about you. You and Paul were the only blond-hair blue-eyed kids in the family.

Sadly, my earliest and most vivid memory is when two men dressed in military uniform came to our home. I'm sure that's the day that mom and daddy were told about your death. As we stood in the entryway, my little arms were wrapped tightly around mom's legs as she accepted the USA flag. I remember the flag being unfolded on the living room floor - it was so big it seemed to fill the room! I probably sensed the sorrow that also filled the room that day. Even then, Roland, I don't believe our family ever gave up hope of your return.

Paul remembers the day you left home. You were so excited about going to boot camp that you ran down the front steps, jumped into your buddy's car where your girlfriend was waiting and off you went. You never looked back. Paul looked up to you so much. You were the trumpet player, the track star, and a great swimmer. He remembers walking to church with you as you carried your trumpet. Paul loves to reminisce about your athletic ability. When you were running in a race for state championship one of your shoes came off but that didn't stop you. You persevered to the end. I'm so happy to tell you that Paul was proud to follow in your footsteps. He ran track, was a great swimmer, and to this day can play his trumpet with class. He also was blessed with a beautiful singing voice.

Our entire family has grown. We all married and have families of our own.

You are uncle to 28 nieces and nephews, great uncle to 54, and great great uncle to....well, I've lost count! Two of our nephews bear your name.

Roland, it is so very important for me to tell you that you have never been forgotten, that you have always been loved and deeply missed.

There was never a family celebration, a holiday or just our day-to-day lives that you were not remembered. Occasionally we would see your friends and be reminded of how much they missed you too. And even though I don't remember you, you have been the missing piece in our family. When I was young, I asked mom if you could possibly be the one buried in the tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Washington, DC. She said she didn't know but thought it might be possible. I really wanted it to be you.

As a high schooler, I was given the opportunity to write a patriotic speech.

In my speech I spoke of your sacrifice for our country. I believe it was then that I began to understand what others already knew - you are a true American hero.

A few years ago, I was sharing with a friend about you. Standing close by were several South Korean college students who overheard my conversation. One of the young men came over to me and said, 'Thank you'. I was puzzled and questioned why he would thank me. He stated that it was because of your sacrifice, Roland, that his country is free.

One of our family's most treasured possessions are the letters you wrote home. You were a wonderful writer and I feel I now know you from your letters. You spoke freely of our Christian faith and your trust in God. What a comfort for us to know that you are safe and secure in Heaven. In the last letter we received from you, written in Pyongyang, you were hoping to be home for Christmas 1950. None of us realized that the war was just beginning and that we would never see you again on earth. My son, Robert, compiled two scrapbooks of your life, from your Birth Certificate until the very end of the Korean War. We have it all carefully and lovingly preserved.

Roland, if only God would give you a glimpse of today! Paul and I are blessed to experience and see the freedom that your sacrifice gave to the South Koreans. They, too, have been truly blessed because of you. We are here for the sole purpose of honoring you and all of the fallen heroes.

Your sacrifice has not been nor will it ever be forgotten.

Until we meet again, dear brother, I remain your forever grateful and proud baby sister, Marjie