DECATUR - Greg Doolin served his country while in the Marines during the 1980s.

He continues to serve with the drill sergeant unit of the Army Reserves, training recruits.

Now, he is lending his hand at directing a powerful drama presentation called "Known But to God: The Tomb of the Unknowns," which starts at 10:30 a.m. Sunday in Central Baptist Church.

Every year, the church tries to do something to commemorate the nation's birthday on the Fourth of July, Doolin said.

Last year, the church did a program based on the book "The Amazing Story of Sgt. Jacob DeShazer," a true story about a prisoner of war during the Doolittle Raid of Japan in World War II and how he turned his life over to God to become an American missionary in Japan.

Besides directing, Doolin also wrote the script for this year's patriotic presentation.

"It's about the ultimate sacrifice of soldiers serving and dying for our freedoms," said Doolin, 45.

He said he wanted to be historically accurate based on the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., which contains the remains of unknown American soldiers from World War I, World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.

During the presentation, those ghost soldiers of the past, dressed in era uniforms and representing all four wars, will read a letter that is part of a compilation of real letters put together in a book dating back to the Revolutionary War up to the present war in Iraq.

Several patriotic songs will be played, as well as taps. The church's music director, Kevin Doub, is responsible for all the music for the drama.

The Rev. Dave Brown, pastor at Central Baptist Church, said the presentation taking the place of worship service is about the cost of keeping America free.

He quoted Psalm 33:12: "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord."

Brown, who plans on offering a message during the presentation, added, "We as a country have religious freedom, and that is what our flag represents. It was part of that conception in 1776 when we celebrated our independence, our country connecting to God.

"So we plan to take people down that corridor of wartimes and honor those men who put their life on the line for the rest of us."

Doolin not only is proud of being part of the production, but being part of that military service to his country.

He comes from a dedicated line of soldiers, he said. His stepfather was in the Navy, his father-in-law was in the Navy, National Guard and Marines, his niece currently is in the Navy and his oldest son recently finished a three-year commitment in the Army National Guard.

Sheila Smith can be reached at sheilas@herald-review.com or 421-7963.

If you go

WHAT: Presentation of "Known But to God: The Tomb of the Unknowns"

WHEN: 10:30 a.m. Sunday

WHERE: Central Baptist Church, 945 S. Jasper St.

NOTABLE: A choir will sing patriotic selections, and veterans will be recognized during the service.