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Message |
Sifo
| Posted on Friday, July 21, 2017 - 04:10 pm: |
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Pegs down for my nephew Mike, and prayers for his family please. He wasn't a member here, but was a KTM rider, and served in in the Army in Afghanistan. He was working yesterday on a boat in Sturgeon Bay on Lake Superior. They had some rough weather, and engine problems. Somehow one of his co-workers went overboard, and Mike dove in to save him. He did manage to save his life, but wound up separated from the boat somehow. The Coast Guard searched through the night, and his body was recovered this morning. A prayer for his mom, dad, brother and sister would be appreciated. THX. |
Fireboltwillie
| Posted on Friday, July 21, 2017 - 05:53 pm: |
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prayers sent. a brave man.... |
Two_seasons
| Posted on Friday, July 21, 2017 - 06:20 pm: |
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Hopefully, the love within the family will grow from this tragedy. Prayer sent Sifo, sorry for your loss. |
Ourdee
| Posted on Friday, July 21, 2017 - 08:30 pm: |
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Praying |
Hootowl
| Posted on Friday, July 21, 2017 - 08:35 pm: |
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There is no greater love that a man can have than to lay down his life for another. |
Gowindward
| Posted on Friday, July 21, 2017 - 10:52 pm: |
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True HERO...May his family and friends find peace with their loss. |
86129squids
| Posted on Friday, July 21, 2017 - 11:31 pm: |
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Tom, so sorry to hear of this. Family is precious, I have very little left of mine. Cherish and love every one you count as your own. Prayers up and Godspeed for your nephew, and his family. Hope to see you and Mary next weekend, we'll raise a toast to a good man missing. |
Blake
| Posted on Friday, July 21, 2017 - 11:43 pm: |
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That's tough. May Christ comfort and bless his family. |
Pwnzor
| Posted on Saturday, July 22, 2017 - 11:40 am: |
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This is an incredible story of bravery and selflessness. Like Christ our Lord, Mike gave his life for others with no thought of his own safety. God bless him, his family, and you for sharing this story of unmeasurable courage. |
86129squids
| Posted on Saturday, July 22, 2017 - 12:16 pm: |
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Very good point, Matthew. Mike surely has a La-Z-Boy just to the right of God's throne now. Or, heck, he's probably fishing somewhere a sight nicer than Galilee. Prayers ongoing. |
Hughlysses
| Posted on Saturday, July 22, 2017 - 01:34 pm: |
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So sorry to hear about your nephew, Tom. Working or playing on the water can be a hazardous thing. I lost two good friends about a year apart, both to drowning when I was a young man. Prayers for your family. |
K12pilot
| Posted on Saturday, July 22, 2017 - 10:43 pm: |
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Sorry to hear, Pegs Down & Prayers |
Court
| Posted on Sunday, July 23, 2017 - 12:59 am: |
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This is absolutely devastating news. I am so sorry to hear this. My thoughts and prayers are with his entire family as they deal with this terrible loss. |
Sifo
| Posted on Sunday, July 23, 2017 - 12:55 pm: |
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Thank you all for the thoughts and prays. I learned a few details yesterday. As I understand it they had engine troubles and one of the crew was trying to start the outboard with a pull rope when he managed to drop the rope in the water. That guy jumped in to save the rope, and couldn't get back to the drifting boat. Apparently Mike grabbed a couple of life jackets and jumped in after his struggling co-worker. At this point they were both hopelessly separated from the boat. 911 was called from the boat and the first guy was rescued by a searcher on a jet ski. They were unable to locate Mike until the next morning however. It's difficult to comprehend that the chain of events that lead to Mike's death involve trying to save a piece of rope. All to often life just does not make sense. We had a family gathering down at the lake on the back 40 last night. It was a beautiful evening that really made it clear why this was one of Mikes favorite places and where the developed a love of being on the water.
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Prior
| Posted on Sunday, July 23, 2017 - 09:25 pm: |
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Thoughts and prayers headed your way. |
Davegess
| Posted on Sunday, July 23, 2017 - 09:42 pm: |
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So sad, condolences |
86129squids
| Posted on Sunday, July 23, 2017 - 11:11 pm: |
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Very glad to hear of the get-together. I and mine are still dealing with losing a fandamily member, this past March- I've learned that you'll claim family regardless of blood. Raise up and celebrate Mike's life. |
Sifo
| Posted on Saturday, July 29, 2017 - 08:59 am: |
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I apologize for what is likely to be a fairly long post. It's been just over a week since my Brother lost his son, Mike in a tragic boating accident on Lake Michigan. Not having kids of my own, he was as close to being a son as I have. The pain of the loss is incredible, but the joy of his life was even more so. Mike was an incredible hero. This isn't because of how he died, saving another's life. It's because of how he lived his life. On the day he lived his last day, he was working with a crew of 3 others eradicating non-native, invasive plants from the shoreline. Returning to port, their boat had engine problems and one of the crew dropped a starter rope in the water, and went in after it. He told me that once he was in the water, he experienced an undertow that he had never experienced before. His second time being pulled under, he knew his life was in peril. He struggled to the surface and called for help, and went down again. He knew he had but seconds before passing out, and those few seconds is all it took for Mike to get under him and push him above the surface. Mike got the life jacket he grabbed from the boat to him and got him floating on the surface. This was also witnessed by the 2 crew left on the boat, which was quickly drifting away in the stiff breeze. I'm told Mike was also struggling with the undertow, and they tried to share the life jacket, but they simply couldn't make that work. Mike gave the life jacket to his friend, and did his best to float on his back in the waves. His friend did the same with the comfort of the life jacket. During this time, they drifted apart and lost contact with each other. The first man was picked up by a Sheriff's deputy on a jet-ski. Sadly, Mike could not be located until the next morning. We will never know if Mike knew his friend was picked up, but Mike did know he saved is life in the short term. That's the short version of his last acts here on Earth. Sure, that's enough to make him a hero, but the truth is, there is so much more to his story of heroism. In recent days, I've heard story after story of Mike from those who have known him. Stories from the football field. Stories from those who served with him in Afghanistan, as part of the crew of their Stryker vehicle. Four of the crew drove for hours, from as far away as Georgia to share a few stories of his life while in Afghanistan. All of this was after the official services, at our place in Michigan. It was a gathering for just family and close friends. There had to be close to 100 people who showed up and shared his life stories well into the wee hours of the next morning. It was an exhausting, emotional day, but we all learned parts of Mike's life that we never knew. There were many stories of Mike jumping into action and pulling someone from a point of danger. That was how Mike lived his life, as a hero. I found out yesterday of a very special story. Mike was going to college learning aquatic biology. He loved the water. His professor had been at the gathering and gave some photos to Mikes parents. They were taken with a high quality SLR and capture the moments very well. It was a day of working in the field. There was Mike standing in waist deep water, wearing waders, staking nets in a beautiful stream. He had that infectious smile that was so normal for him. It's a fantastic photo. Then there was another of a girl who I didn't know. She had stepped into a hole, waders filled with water, and struggling in the current. Right at the edge of the shot you can see a hand reaching for her. The photographer held the shutter button down, doing what he does, and captured what Mike does. It's a whole series of Mike jumping into action, grabbing this girl from danger and pulling her to safety. It's simply how Mike was wired. Some have expressed that if only Mike hadn't jumped in after his friend and co-worker that he wouldn't have died. While this may be true, that just wouldn't be Mike. He had to jump to action. It's simply a part of who Mike was. It's how he lived. We were blessed to have him in our lives for 28 years. Rest in peace Mike. |
Hootowl
| Posted on Saturday, July 29, 2017 - 09:15 am: |
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Thanks for sharing that, Tom. |
Pwnzor
| Posted on Saturday, July 29, 2017 - 10:11 am: |
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Yes, thank you. I had imagined that he was this sort of man who always looked out for others. |
Court
| Posted on Saturday, July 29, 2017 - 10:23 am: |
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Funny . . having heard the "first part" of the story . . . none of this surprises me and, at the same time fascinates me. There are people like that. They are a gift to those they come in contact with and are always the beacons that make any thing, event, gathering or relationship special. I feel, as you recounted the stories, like I knew Mike. He's the one, in a fire fight, I'd want with me. He's the one who's word is the equal of gold and he's the one who's love of life is equaled only by the love of those around him for the gift he brings. This breaks my heart. These are the rare tales the remind us just how good humans are at their best. A man who leaves safety to save the life of another has a special place in life and in after life. Although we, your friends, may not know many of the details . . . we know enough to know Mike and our hearts and prayers are with you and your family. Mike has surely left a legacy behind . . . Thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Court |
86129squids
| Posted on Saturday, July 29, 2017 - 11:26 am: |
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Wow, Tom. Thanks for sharing. Wish I were in Little Switzerland with you and Mary... we'd be sitting on the patio talking about this fine young man. |
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