CNN PRODUCER NOTE     sldtch knew Michael for over twenty-five years; their friendship began when she was nine years old, and he was four years old. 'He was fun-loving, energetic, sweet, lovable, supportive...dedicated to those he loved, helpful, driven. His smile lit up the room.'

Sldtch says Michael always made everyone laugh when he conveyed the exact amount of time in years/months/days/minutes/seconds he had left in the Army--but joking aside, he loved the Army and all that it stood for and remained in the service. 'He was in his early 30s when he made the decision to pursue Special Forces. We all thought he was crazy, but he wanted to do it to be a positive role model for his son, Craig.'

She says he was very kind-hearted, and while in Afghanistan he was 'concerned for the welfare of the kids there as well as some of the women who cared for the children. He initiated a drive for us to collect shoes/toys/candy for the kids for us to mail to him and he used his own money to purchase a sewing machine for the village women who handmade the children's clothes.'

She says she hopes he is remembered for 'his outstanding dedication to those he loved and cared about. He was an amazingly loyal friend.'
- jne2013, CNN iReport producer