They aren't just another number, or stat. They gave the ultimate to ensure safety to friends and family and to help bring a new beginning to those who didn't know it was possible. So let us acknowledge these heroes.

If you would like a tribute page created for your loved one, just simply send an email with their name, rank, branch, hometown, age and any other info you want others to know about them. As well as leave your email address in case any questions arise.
It's an honor to create these pages as I have lost a few good brothers (friends) so this is the least that can be done for now.

Michael J. Brown was born on 11 Dec, 1985 at Carwells AFB in Texas. That's right, a Air Force brat!
Michael loved playing sports. So much that in high school, he went out and played every sport that the school had to offer like Baseball and Basketball. The one sport he played a lot and very well was varsity football. He started playing football in 9th grade - he started every Friday night where he went on to play the whole game.

His biggest passion however was becoming a Marine. Michael passed up going to college to join the Marine Corp. The reason for this was because he felt it was his duty to fight for his country. Even with attempts from his family to talk him out of it, he went on and became the Marine he saw himself as.

He was just 18 years old and fresh out of high school when he joined the Marines.
Michael was stationed at Camp Lejeune, based out of North Carolina. There he served with the 2/2 Fox Company (Warlords) and where he was dubbed the nickname Bam Bam from his buddies.
Soon after, he was deployed to Iraq in July of 2005. There Lance Cpl. Brown carried the Saw gun (M249 Squad Automatic Weapon/M249 Light Machine Gun).

Lance Cpl. Brown served in Iraq from July ('05) to 14 Dec., 2005. On the 14th of Dec, just three days after his 20th birthday, he suffered injuries after they hit a roadside bomb - at that same moment, a man with a car full of bombs rammed their vehicle.

Michael (Bam Bam) was air lifted out and sent to Germany. There he stayed for a week before returning state side. Upon his return to Camp Lejeune, Michael was receiving medical care for his wounds. He had sustained brain injuries, as well as his right arm was broke so severely that they had to do two operations on it.

Even after those operation, his arm was still not well. On 2 Feb. 2007, while he was still recovering at base, he received word of his cousin Mary passed away.

Lance Cpl Brown took leave to attend her funeral. On 3 Feb, 2007 - Michael was murdered by injection of black tar heroin to the neck. No more then a mere 10 hours after his cousin's passing. To this day, no arrests have been made for this crime.
Michael had a full Military funeral on 9 Feb. 2007, the day after his cousin's funeral so neither one were over shadowed by the other.
NOTE: Black tar heroin is one of many forms of the drug. It's most frequently used by disolving, diluting and injecting or it can be smoked. It's a sticky substance that resembles roofing tar or it's hard like coal. This type of heroin is made from refined opium, morphine and other non CNS-active quinoline.

He was well known and loved even more so in their small town of Oak Hill, Ohio. He was loved that much that after the news of Michael's death, without letting the family know who it was, someone paid for his funeral that costed over $20,000.
Lance Cpl. Brown is survived by his parents - James and Alma, an older brother and sister - James and Tiffani, also left behind were 3 month old baby girl Maddison, the love of his life - fiancee Jeni Stephens. We cannot forget the rest of his family and friends who lost a piece of themselves.

Some of the things that stick out about Michael are that he loved his family very much, and loved get togethers and dinner. A memory of this was when Lance Cpl Brown wanted all of his family (aunts, uncle, grandma and a lot of cousins) to go out do dinner as a family. So they all packed into Ryan's and did just that, have a nice dinner.
When it was over - they all walked out, took photos and Michael jumped into his car, posed for a picture and he was off back to Camp Lejeune. Just one memory that will be forever cherished.

However, there are memories these folks will cherish for the rest of their lives that show the true character of Michael. One of those memories, his aunt Sherry said is what touched her so much.

Her husband (his uncle Paul) was in Iraq no more then three weeks when Michael was injured. While he was at the hospital in Germany, in pain - he called his mom. Sherry was there and he wanted to speak to her.

She said, "He was upset and wanting to know if Uncle Paul was OK. I think maybe he might have been confused thinking Paul was with him. I assured him Paul was OK, and he asked again are you sure? That was the kind of man Michael was. He had such a big heart that he cared and loved everyone, including strangers."

Sherry also went on to say, "He couldn't wait to see his uncle Paul, but he died before he could. Paul just arrived back in country 2 months prior and they hadn't had a chance to see each other. That really broke my heart.
Michael may have been my sister's baby boy, but the love I have in my heart, he was like my son too. I'm so proud to have been in Michael's life, I just wished that we had more time with him."

Lance Cpl. Brown was one unique and amazing person. Anyone who was lucky to have known him, or have him in their life has been truly blessed.
There was no reason, no excuse for some morons to take a life, especially one with that much love for people. There are no cures to the pain these folks feel except the memories they can look back on.

No matter how much pain he was in, he was more concerned for others over himself. He showed strength, courage, and true brotherhood. The world has lost something when Michael died, but for those of you who knew him - be assured that he is looking down on you - having your 6 (back).

Go to sleep, peaceful sleep,
May the soldier or sailor,
God keep.
On the land or the deep,
Safe in sleep.

Love, good night, Must thou go,
When the day, And the night
Need thee so?
All is well. Speedeth all
To their rest.

Fades the light; And afar
Goeth day, And the stars
Shineth bright,
Fare thee well; Day has gone,
Night is on.

Thanks and praise, For our days,
'Neath the sun, Neath the stars,
'Neath the sky,
As we go, This we know,
God is nigh.