Carolyn Hicks holds a photo of her son, Jerry Don Dickerson alongside his flag and medals and the book, Hope of a Nation, that was given to him when he was born at King’s Daughters Hospital in Yazoo. The hope chest is full of items she was given in her son’s honor after he was killed in the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001.By JAMIE PATTERSON
Managing Editor

It’s an older photograph, with a slight yellow tint to it.
Snug in a small frame, Carolyn Hicks runs her fingers over the glass protecting the picture of her children.
Just like any mother, she smiles as she shares a few stories about her family. But there is something special about this one particular photograph.
Her son Joe Dan is seated on a step with his brother Jerry Don directly beside him. Both had grins on their young faces, but Jerry Don had a slight mischievous arch to his smile.
Upon closer inspection, one can see a trace of childhood innocence captured in a moment. Jerry Don is tugging  Joe Dan’s ear and smiling.
“You wanted to know what kind of person he was,” Carolyn asked, holding onto the frame. “I think that pretty much tells you.”
With the tenth anniversary of September 11 tomorrow, Carolyn has grown accustomed to talking about her son Jerry Don – or D.D. as she calls him.
He died at the Pentagon during the terrorist attacks of 9/11. Carolyn never saw his body.-------for the rest of the story see The Yazoo Herald printed edition or subscribe to the Digital Edition.----------