I am a friend of Keri Morrison and I remember Michael from NorthSHore golf course. I am going on my third deployment tomorrow the 21st of August. What a Marine Michael was. I will be in charge of a crew while over there. I found out that I will be going to Falluja and Ramadi. Working in the same zone Michael worked. He will be remembered and I pray to his family. Your son was what a true Marine can be. He accomplished so much at a young age. They say the best men go first. I always wondered why that is but now I feel I know. Memmories give us our strength. The fallen fall so we may carry forward. I shall carry his strength in me and complete that mission. Again, I pray to his family and god bless.

I pray that his family is comforted by the appreciation of the citizens who would honor this Marine for is service. And personally, my mind goes back to the refrain I learned early in my service as a Marine during recruit training, Platoon 2045, 2 Recruit Regiment, MCRD in the summer of 1975. "And when I get to heaven, Saint Peter I will tell, \"Another Marine reporting Sir!, I've spent my time in hell". -The Guys at www.bikerdoorags.com

Sgt. W, In but twenty years you have lived more than the average lifetime. My daughter Monica, attended John Casablanca Modeling school with Aja. We would always see you Saturdays dropping Aja off and leave for your sporting events. Your entire family was there supporting Aja on graduation day and a much larger family on June 27th supported you and your family at NW church. I will never forget witnessing your" hero" father disembark at McChord with his fallen "hero". My wife and your Mom likely attended appointments together at Pendleton as our Monica was born two months after you. BRAVO ZULU SGT. "W", Bernard James GYSGT. USMC RET'D

MW, before you deployed, you left me a note in my suitcase that read "I am a lucky guy just for knowing you. I must of done somethin right at one point in my life to have you in my life." I think you got it backwards--I'm the lucky one. Thank you for all that you did and the sacrifices you made. You raised the standard and are my inspiration. I miss you. Rest in Paradise.

Dear Michael in Heaven, I never could have imagined, watching you grow from the little boy at Allen AME to the muscular Marine who returned to Allen so proud and confident, that I would find myself standing on the flight line at McCord Air Base welcoming you to your earthly home for the very last time. It all seemed so surreal as Mr. Bridges and I watched the crew of the Cessna carry your flag draped coffin out of the plane. Watching your father salute you for a job well done followed by everyone standing at attention was just about more than I could handle. It took all the strength I could muster to remain standing as I watched the hearse drive by in route to the funeral home. Both Mr. Bridges and I followed your motorcade led by the motocycle patriot guards in complete awe of your fire dept. family who stood at attention and saluted you along every overpass along the 20 mile drive where your mom and sister awaited your arrival. Our entire family attended your beautiful memorial and final resting place ceremonies. You can rest in peace knowing you shall forever be loved and revered as one of the most amazing Marines, son, brother and friend one could ever hope for. Thank you Michael for all of the heroic efforts you demonst

Michael Washington...I've known you for 15 years now! wow its gone by so fast! Well thanks for always making me laugh and helping me get through classes sane! Remember my dad would take us on field trips in elementary school? good times! Thank you for being a great role model for all of us and always holding a place in our hearts! you will be missed but never forgotten. love always, marissa

Dear Michael, I am sorry to say that I never had the honor or pleasure of knowing you. I read about your death and was deeply saddened. Then, a good friend told me that your dad was her husband's Co. Commander back in the day. I really respect my friend and her husband, and they really respect your father- so you must have been on hell of a great guy. I pray for you and your family everyday - as they must be suffering terribly. Thank you for having the courage to do what most people wouldn't dream of doing - sacrificing everything and putting yourself in harm's way to serve your country. You and your brothers and sisters in the military are my heros.

Michael, I miss you so much. It still seems unreal to me. I keep remembering sitting next to you all the time in IMP3 class. You always made me smile. And the confession I made to you that New Years @ Will's house was ...quite interesting. We had some good times. You were such a great guy and I am glad to have known you. I wish I would've written you and I'm sorry I didn't. But here's somethin I wrote for you while you were in Iraq but never sent... "Hero" This goes out to you Wherever you are As you stare Destruction and devastation In the eye Remember that we look up At the same stars at night But while you're there Fight for those who can't Live for those who won't And stay strong For those who've grown weak You are love You are courage You are strength You are.... A Hero... I'll see you some day...

Hey man I was remembering all those times in bootcamp we got in trouble for goofing off. The world is goin to be a lesser place without you. Rest in peace Semper Fi

Michael...so much accomplished in such a short matter of time. He was just a real person he let you know what you needed to know when you needed to know it. He was definitely a man who knew what he wanted to do and he went out and did what he wanted. Not many people in this world can say that they have done that or that they would even attempt to. He is a true example of the way a life should be lived and that is to the fullest and without regret. His family did a wonderful job making him the man he was and that is why he will be truly missed.

Michael - In the last couple weeks, I have thought of exactly what I wanted to say. Yesterday I was at your memorial. It was clear how many lives you have touched, how many people miss you. While I was sitting there listening to your fathers speech, it just made me think: if, when Debbie and I have kids, we can raise our kids to be even half the man you were, if we can raise our kids to touch a quarter of the lives that you've touched, I'll know we were successful. To be honest, you may have been 3 years younger than I, but whenever we worked together, you were a role-model to me. I truly believe that all people should strive to be like you; if we all did that, how great our world would be. Michael, I know that the lives you touched have all been blessed, that those people have seen first-hand what a true man is made of, and that they can take that experience and put forward to continue touching lives as you did, to continue your legacy. I know I can never even be close to the man you were, but I will try my best to continue living the legacy that you created to the best of my abilities. You are truly missed, Michael. Rest in Peace.

Michael, Thank you so much for your presence in my life. I can't seem to get it through my mind that you aren't going to call me in October and demand a steak dinner for my hockey team losing. And continue to daily make fun of me. Those moments are some of the best ones and I will miss you and your smile and your laughter daily. You make me want to be a better person and I now plan on trying to be even half the person you were. You were taken too ealry from us and your memory will linger in my heart forever. Thank you for being America's hero. And mine.

Michael, their aren't enough words to express the gratitude I have for you. Putting your life on the line and defending our country, is one of the most heroic things a person can do. I feel honored to have known you and not only do I consider you my friend but my hero as well. It seems like just yesterday you came into my work to order your weekly pepporoni pizza. I will miss that big smile of yours and kind heart. You are truly missed by many Michael, and although you are not here in our prescence anymore, I will continue to keep the fond memories we had together in my heart forever. RIP Michael Washington

Michael you will truly be missed. I remembered when we were in imp and how we used to wrestle before class. those were good times man. you will be in my heart dawg!

Michael, my heart goes out to you and your family. I honestly can't believe you are gone, you have become a hero of mine and what you did for our country will always be cherished by friends, family and myself. I miss our times we had together, DP's in your car, video games at the Jennings. I will always remember your big smile and heartfelt hugs. You will always be missed and remembered.

Michael, Thank you so much for being such a brave and courageous hero for our country. Your heroic acts will never be forgotten and everytime i sing the national anthem or look at an american flag I will think of you and what you did for this country. I hope the times we were able to talk and go to high school together were good times in your life. You are my hero. Erica Heffernan

Michael michael michael... I still cannot grasp the fact that I will never see you walk into the same room as me with your huge smile that would brighten any day. I still remember seeing you when you got back he first time, all buff and serious, but you were still the same person that I had the pleasure to work with and befriend me. I still remember when you would drive me home from work in your bug blue suburban singing along to fifty cents just a lil bit, or candy shop. Ohh funny thing is i have heard both those song at least a dozen times since that saturday..and everytime I laugh and smile pictureing you smiling and driving and singing, and then I start to cry. I will never forget you or the momeories I have, and everytime I have my birthday June 14th sadly the day you had to leave us I will not only celebrate my life but I will celebrate yours as well. see you in the future, and thank you for fighting for this country, and putting your life on the line for ours. you are a true her

You will be truly missed... Whenever I was around you, I would always be laughing You would always brighten up my day Your smile, made me smile You will be in my thoughts and prayers Your are a hero <3

Oh my goodness...How I miss your laughter and how I miss the way you used to make me laugh! There wasn't a day that went by that I didn't see you smiling. I truly miss you and I wish I could've seen you before you left. You truly are a hero and you will definitely be missed! I hope to see you again someday :)

Michael, Thank you for everything you did for every life you touched. You were an amazing friend to so many people. Your smile will always be a picture in my mind. I'll never forget you. I love you buddy! REST IN PEACE

My heart goes out to Michael's family and friends. He made the ultimate sacrifice for something he truly believed in and will always be remembered as a hero and a great friend. You will remain in my thoughts and prayers.

Michael - I don't even know how to begin this entry. Every day I think of you and your family, my prayers and best wishes to everyone. You were a truely brave man. You went and stood up for what was right, no matter what. the consequences. But to know that you are gone saddens me deeply. This world has lost a truely good, honorable, and brave man. Not a day will go by where I won't remember that smile that brightened so manylives. It seemed that no matter what was happening, you always were smiling. Just one of the many great qualities you had. I will miss you deeply, as will many others. Rest in peace, my friend.