Merritt as Adult

Merritt when he was stationed at Francis E. Warren Army Base at Cheyenne, WY and the other one was taken I believe when he visited his sister, Zephel Harris in Lafe, AR.
31st Field Artillery Company at Fort Ord, California. Note the man that is holding the Company Flag. It states 31st, with crossed rifles and CO, denoting the 31st Field Artillery Company. I found this picture in a picture frame with moms treasures of the past. I can’t find Merritt in the picture, but he would be 21 years old. (See letter dated 18 September 1940 and 26 December 1940 that Merritt wrote to mom).
This picture I had and I sent Debra a copy. The face area on Zephel was scratched, and Debra had the same exact picture so she sent me the one that is displayed.
Vernon M. Sanders a brother to Merritt, and Merritt. Debra states that it appears the two pictures were taken at the same time.
This Sanders family picture was sent to me by Debra Matton. Debra identifies the individuals as follows: Gladys Shear (Merritt’s wife), Merritt S. Sanders, Zephel Harris, John Jackson (Ola’s husband), Viola (Ola) Sanders, Ruth, (Vernon’s wife), Vernon M. Sanders, Lola, (LeRoy’s wife), and LeRoy Sanders. From the family group sheet that Debra sent me it appears that Tom and Nell Sanders are not present. All of these Sanders are the children of the family of Merritt Smith Sanders and Mary D. Dyer.
This picture is one that Gladys sent to mom with the comment on the back of the picture, Merritt and my Grandpa, picture taken at home. With that bit of information I date the picture as being taken prior to April 1944.

Collage of Merritt S. Sanders Pictures from 1938 to 1945

Others can be seen on the Dale Kids Aging Photos