"People can't forget this. Our freedom isn't free. Thomas Jefferson said to 'always remain vigilant,' " he said.

A resident of Odenton whose children attended Arundel High School, Sgt. Maj. Crouse is working with Arundel's principal, Sharon Stratton, to erect a granite memorial stone near the flagpole, engraved with the names of all Arundel graduates who gave their lives to their country.

"Anyone who gives his life for his country should be recognized," he said.

Sgt. Maj. Crouse first started thinking about a memorial after the death of Army Staff Sgt. Jamie Stoddard in Afgahnistan in 2005.

Since Staff Sgt. Stoddard had played football and baseball for Arundel, Sgt. Maj. Crouse attempted to get the young soldier into the school's Hall of Fame. When he was turned down, he decided to try a memorial instead.

"I wanted to put something there for him," he said. "I think the young men and women need to see what duty, honor and country is," he said.

A Vietnam veteran, Sgt. Maj. Crouse also survived the Sept. 11 attacks on the Pentagon; he reads the names of his friends on the Vietnam War memorial in Washington, D.C.

"I spent 30 years in the military, and I hate war," he said. "There are so many lessons that could be learned by students getting involved and going back."

Ms. Stratton was enthusiastic when Sgt. Maj. Crouse approached her. "I've always had this in the back of mind," she said. "It's a gentleman like him who's willing to do a lot of the work for us (that makes it possible)."

Ms. Stratton hopes to open the memorial to any Arundel graduate who has served, not only those who gave their lives. Before the memorial can be erected, the plans need to be approved by the Board of Education.

"It's still a work in progress, but we've got quite a bit of support from the community," she said.

Hardesty Funeral Home in Gambrills provided the granite for the monument at cost, Sgt. Maj. Crouse said, and County Councilman Jamie Benoit, D-Crownsville, has also been involved in the project.

Ms. Stratton hopes to have the students work on the project as well.

"I want the kids to be involved in researching things and to be part of the (unveiling) ceremony," she said.

"We really want to do a different type of ceremony, where our present students will be involved in learning about their history and sharing that as we honor those whose names are on that monument."

Rod Clark taught at Arundel High School for 27 years and retired in 2000. When he heard about Sgt. Maj. Crouse's idea, he was enthusiastic.

"It never hurts kids today to know of some of the sacrifices made so that they can enjoy life as they know it," he said.

At this point, few Arundel graduates besides Staff Sgt. Stoddard have been identified, and Mr. Clark and Sgt. Maj. Crouse are hoping community members will come forward with information about relatives who gave their lives.

"A lot of people may have moved out of the area, but may still have family members here," Mr. Clark said.

"People have footlockers full of pictures from World War II or stories they have heard. What we're trying to do is make sure no one gets left out."

Sgt. Maj. Crouse has been going through Department of Defense records, but he's hoping community memories could help in his search.

"It's slow moving right now," he said.

They hope to have the project completed by next May, in time for Memorial Day weekend. In the meantime, Mr. Clark is spreading the word and trying to gather information.

"The last thing we want is next spring when we dedicate it for people to say I didn't hear anything about this," he said.

For information or to help, call Mr. Clark at 443-688-6726 or Sgt. Maj. Crouse at 410-562-6673.