Soldier Honored: Ronnie L. Sanders

Staff Sergeant Ronnie L. Sanders, 26, of Thibodaux, Louisiana was assigned to the 407^th Brigade Support Battalion, 2^nd Brigade Combat Team, 82^nd Airborne Division, of Fort Bragg, North Carolina.  SSG Sanders died February 3, 2007, in Baghdad of wounds sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle.  He was serving during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

SSG Sanders was a graduate of Woodlawn High School in 1995. He then enlisted in the United States Army where he had seven years of service. SSG Sanders was awarded a Bronze Star, Purple Heart and several other medals for his outstanding work.  SSG Sanders was on his third tour of duty in Iraq, where he was a platoon sergeant.

“He was the model paratrooper and leader. He was revered and trusted by his soldiers and made sure they were always trained and ready,” said Lt. Col. Thomas J. Rogers, commander of the 407th Brigade Support Battalion.  SSG Sanders had made Fayetteville, North Carolina his residence with his wife and twin girls.

Two of SSG Sanders’ children are Folds of Honor Scholarship recipients.