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Michael Duane Elledge
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Family, friends and comrades sat somberly — some hand-in-hand and some silently weeping —remembering and reflecting on the life of Michael Duane Elledge.
A memorial service took place Monday at Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4357 in Brighton for Elledge, the fallen Army staff sergeant and a 1985 Dexter High School graduate who was killed in Iraq on March 17.
Elledge, 41, was the latest Michigan casualty and one of several last week that officially took the number of soldiers killed in the line of duty past the 4,000 threshold as the war enters its sixth year of activity.
He was four months into his second 15-month tour of duty. According to U.S. Department of Defense reports, Elledge was riding in a Humvee in Baghdad on March 17 when an IED (improvised explosive device) detonated near the vehicle.
Another passenger, Spc. Christopher Simpson, 23, of Hampton, Va., also died in the attack.
Elledge was assigned to Company C, 168th Armored Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division.
Family members spoke to the hundreds of attendees at Post 4357 after a eulogy about Elledge's deeds and sacrifice in an "imperfect world" and hymnal music including "The Solid Rock" and "What A Friend We Have In Jesus."
Michael's sister-in-law, Cindy Elledge, spoke on behalf of Carleen Elledge, his wife, who lives in Colorado Springs, Colo., near Michael's deployment base of Fort Carson.
"(Carleen) asked me to be her voice," Cindy said.
His children, Christopher, 18; Caleb, 8; and Cassidy, 6, are with her at the family home.
Cindy also spoke of her brother-in-law's deep religious faith.
"He longed for the day that he would be able to sit at the feet of Jesus Christ ... although he would not have wanted to leave his family so soon."
She told the crowd about her brother-in-law's concern for the spiritual well-being of his fellow men — family, fellow soldiers, and even residents of the war-torn Middle East.
Elledge had a well-earned reputation as a spiritual man who held many Bible readings with his fellow troops.
"He was aware of his positive influence on these young men's lives," Cindy said.
"Many have called us on the phone and sent e-mails."
Michael Elledge had a long personal history of serving his country as a soldier. He spent four years in the U.S. Marine Corps after his Dexter High School graduation.
A combination of hard times and personal conviction drove his decision to return to the military. Elledge had gone to California, where he met his wife, to work as an aircraft mechanic.
He and his wife would later move to Indianapolis when his job was relocated after a decade working there.
As a result of the economic backlash of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, United Airlines downsized, closing the facility and laying Elledge off.
After spending some time working as an auto mechanic, Elledge attempted to re-enlist with the Marines but was turned down due to his age, according to his family.
Determined to serve, he joined the Army and began his first tour in December 2005.
Tim Elledge, Michael's older brother by two years, spoke after his wife Cindy, detailing his brother's growth of character and devotion to God.
"He helped us strengthen our relationship with God," Tim said, going on to share that Mike would wake up an extra hour early every morning to spend time with the Scriptures and a cup of coffee.
"He would pray and study the Bible ... I was with him on some occasions," Tim said.
There were moments of levity during the service, particularly when Tim recalled his little brother's foibles on their family's farm property in Whitmore Lake.
"Mike was doing some work around the house on a tractor, when he got in a pickle," Tim said.
"He couldn't stop the tractor (and) he jumped off as it was headed towards a plow. Running over the plow caused a flat and a replacement tire is $1,000. When he saw dad coming across the field he bailed again."
Elledge's stepbrother, Tom, capped off the family's discussion of who and what they have lost.
"I'm Mike's stepbrother, but I always thought of him as a brother," Tom said. "I always made sure to come see him, but I'll never see him again.
"Thank you, Mike, for being my brother ... and a soldier."
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