Michael I Wish I'd Met Ye' / Randall Norris (None) I found Michael's tribute on-line and I was moved to write this tribute. My computer crashed and it disappeared forever, only to be ressurected in an email from a woman I had never met. I knew then it needed to find a proper home. I think this should be its final home.
For His Family and Friends:
I never had the opportunity to meet Michael Schafer. But because of the way he lived his life, the absolute joy he seemed to bring to friends and family, his selfless act even at the moment of his death, and because he did more in his twenty six years than most men do in a lifetime, I can only say that I wish I had met him, and I can't say that about many men. I salute you Michael, not for the way you died, but because of the way you lived. > > Dr. Randall Norris, Ph.D. > Professor > English & American Culture Studies > Sauk Valley Community College > Dixon, IL 61021
Kosovo mourns / Fatos Rexhaj (none) ...we are very sorry to hear what happened to your son. if this means anything we just want you to know that Kosovo mourns with you over your loss. we are very sad to hear that such brave men that brought peace to our country are no longer with us. michael may god be with you wherever you are.
In loving memory of Staff Sergeant Michael W. Schafer Born August 16, 1979- K.I.A. July 25, 2005
Forever in our Hearts
A million times we needed you, a million times we cried, If love alone would have saved you, you would have never died. In life we loved you dearly, in death we love you still, In our hearts you hold a place, no one can ever fill. A light from our household is gone, a voice from our love is stilled, A place in our vacant homes, which never can be filled. Some may think you are forgotten, though on earth you are no more, But in our memory you are with us, as you always were before. It broke our hearts to lose you, but you did not go alone, A part of us went with you, the day God called you home. Your precious memories are for keepsakes, with which we' ll never part, God has you safely in his keeping, but we have you forever in our hearts.
Loving and missing you always- Papa & Debbie Forbes, Mom, Dad & Tim Barr and Grandma & Grandpa Barr
Bless you my friend / Cindy Andrews (Unmet Friend ) Mike, You and I are friends that never had a chance to meet. Like the saying goes, "stranger's are friends I haven't met yet". Your bravery shows in all you have done and what is left behind. I almost lost my brother during desert storm, and have lost others during active war. I know how it feels to lose a dearly loved person to the hand of another human full of such anger and hatred. Even knowing this, my heart is enlightened because there is a very special place for you and I know you are not alone. Brother's in arms. Bless you sweetie and bless all the loved ones left behind. Say hi to Grandma for me. Cindy
Thinking of you / Bob Nichols Just wanted to express my condolences. I know Mike was a great guy and you will never stop thinking of him. May God be with you. Love, Bob
You are not forgotten / SPC Greg Buck (Brother in Arms ) I am so sorry for your loss. Men like Michael are what keeps us in the fight. God Bless his soul and ease the Schafer family's pain. I know soldiers like Mike watch over us as we carry on his mission. Thank you for being brave and giving the ultimate sacrifice. Love you Bro! See you soon!
Salute to Michael / Eve Browne (military family ) Thank you for serving, Michael, and for giving your life for this country. You will be eternally honored by your family and your fellow Americans.
I owe you ,Mike. / John Fedor (None) Mike, thanks for everything you gave. Without people like you there would not be a great country like the USA. I will always remember what you have done for freedom that we take for granted in this country. Nobody in any Hall of Fame in this country has done what you have done and that is to give it all to a cause or effort you believed in. You are a true hero!! I thank you and your family. We will never forget what you have done. God bless you. The Fedors.
My prayers are with you along with my thanks for the service Michael did for our Country. My brother also was in the 82nd Air Borne stationed in Fort Bragg. He served in Desert Storm. He loved what he did. He came home but later lost his life due to being murdered by his ex wife. May God Bless your family and all of those still serving. Connie Whitmore (Gregg Whitmore's sister)
A true patriot... / Amanda Hayes I may not have known Michael in this life, but I am proud to say that I'm American, just because of guys like him. Michael is a crystal clear model of what Americans should always be. You are blessed to say you knew him. My prayers are with you. Michael is a true American Hero. Thank you, for the sacrifice You have made for this country.
Somewhere in heaven, there's another angel in camo with a red white and blue halo. And he's watching over those he loves.
Keep telling his story. My sincerest condolences, Amanda Hayes Ringgold, Ga
I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU / Stephanie Donchez I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU TO YOUR SON FOR GOING TO WAR FOR THE U.S. AND PROTECTING US. I AM SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS - I AM A DAUGHTER AND SISTER OF TWO VETS.
RIP/ Peace RIP (visitor) may all the wars end one day , RIP
From another military family / Denise-Nate Pannells Mom Forever
THANK YOU!!!! / Aunt Lori Burke
I am Michael's Aunt. I would like to thank everyone who has posted a message on this Memorial Website for Michael. It means so much to our family that people really do care.
There are so many young men and women that have given their lives so we can be free. They are all HEROS! Let us never forget them or their families.
Hi, Mike. It's 3 years on Friday, but I don't think I'll have it together enough to leave this for you then. The memories I have of that horrible day are as fresh as if it happened yesterday. I was looking through my photo albums recently and came upon the pictures I took the last time you were up for Christmas (1998). I smiled remembering how hard you made me work to get a picture of you. You kept turning your back to me. Finally you smiled for one, then I snuck another one with Caleb's help. I also remember one summer we were in Grandma and Grandpa's pool. You kept dunking me under the water, and as soon as I'd come up to breathe, you'd dunk me under again. I was so mad at you at that moment! You were always so ornery, weren't you? But boy did you know how to liven a day! Regardless of how you tormented us (we paid it back to you, too), we always loved having you around! Not only is family just not the same since you've been gone, but the world isn't the same. It's one less great guy balancing out the bad. I'm proud to call you my cousin! Please keep watch over all our other soldiers serving our country and keep them safe! Another family should be spared the pain of being notified a loved one has been lost.
Keyra says: I'm sorry that you're gone and I didn't get a lot of time to spend with you. Love, Keyra.
Sorry for being away, / James "Chip" Browning (Good Friend )Read >>
Sorry for being away, / James "Chip" Browning (Good Friend )
I've been away since I found out what happened to Mike. I moved here in the middle of the fifth grade when I first met him. Walked to the bus stop and we both recognized each other from Little League. I believe Mike played for the Mets and I was on the Pirates. That was a long time ago. I was just ten that day when I first met Mike Schafer. Now I'm getting ready to turn 28.
First time I ever went over and played basketball at his house was the day after the Bulls won their first championship. Mike and I were both Jordan fans and I knew we would grow to be good friends. Time passed by and after many games of Basketball at each others house, or playing Baseball out in the Street. Next thing I know Mike has a car and is driving me to High School.
We never really shared a class together, I did record his games for Coach O'Connell in tenth grade, but never played a game for the school myself. I'm glad to know I got to see and record memories of Mike. Doing some thing he loved to do.... Play Ball. After we both Graduated in 1998 we went our separate ways. I didn't see Mike again for a few years.
The last time I saw Mike was with his family, with the people he loves. I don't know if it was fate or just coincidence, but I happened to be waiting on them in Outback. Don't know how good a job I did, I just remember seeing a lot of people I hadn't seen in a while. The funny thing is that we live so close still. It was good to see everyone again and meet Mikes wife for the first time. I would have never thought that would be the last Time I saw my friend.
I've always felt bad that I wasn't here when it happened. I just want to say sorry for not being there Mike. I was helping my sister while she was in Kuwait. I was watching over her kids at Ft. Jackson. Her husband is a Drill Sgt. for the Army. With her over there and my Brother in Iraq, the bad news of Mike hit me hard. I felt like I had lost a brother.
A brother who was there for me growing up. A brother I caught the bus with. A brother to challenge in sports. We picked on each other, we had our fights, but most of all we had each others back. I'll always miss you brother, please watch over the rest of our brothers like you would if you were still here. I love ya bro and will always miss you!
My best to Tim, Dan, Karen, Devin and Danielle. Sorry It Took Me So Long.......
While visiting with friends in Orlando this week, we came out to find a piece of paper stuck in our truck mirror. The paper read, "Saw your sign on your truck and said a prayer for you. Our family is grateful for Michael's service! All the best to you. We can never understand what you've been through, but we can at least offer our prayers and gratitude! Signed -- Paul, Julie & Joshua from Chicago, IL."
Sometimes the smallest gesture can make a world of difference....know that your sacrifice was not in vain Michael....we love and miss you.
A Real American Hero / Al Riera (Another American Brother in Arms )Read >>
A Real American Hero / Al Riera (Another American Brother in Arms )
I ran across Micheal`s memorial website and was obligated as a patriotic american citizen to pay tribute to one of many true american heroes. I currently serve in the active U.S. Army and have been for 21 years now. As a combat veteran I understand the pain of such selfless sacrifice that our heroes give to keep our beloved country and american way of life alive. I pray that our country will never forget, that freedom isn`t free. It is being paid for with blood, sweat and tears! I pray that the memory of Michael and the rest of our fallen heroes will live on forever! Thank you for the life you gave us so that our future generations can enjoy the blessing that we have! We are forever grateful!!!!!
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