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Michael Mihalakis Obituary
A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, at Cedar Lawn Mortuary of Fremont.
Michael died as a result of injuries sustained in a Humvee accident in Baghdad, Iraq. Michael was initially assigned to the 649th Military Police Company out of Camp San Luis, but was later reassigned to the 270th out of Fairfield. Michael was loved by all who knew him and had dozens of friends all over the world. He loved playing his guitar, composing and recording music, and spending time with his dad. Mike will be profoundly missed by all who knew him.
He is survived by his parents, George and Diana Mihalakis of Milpitas; sisters, Kristine and Carly Mihalakis; grandparents, who he was especially fond of, Robert Newdoll of San Luis Obispo, Norma Newdoll of Grover Beach, Yaiya Chrisie Vaichis of Los Angeles, Maryfran Butcher of Navato and Barbara Friend of Cody Wyoming; great-grandmother Beulah Newdoll of Shell Beach; uncle and aunt, Vance and Athena Wilson; aunts, Kathy Newdol, Laurie Newdoll, Kaelin, Leslie Foster, and Carol Ann Kohler; and cousins, Christopher and Andrew Wilson, Clint Hahlbeck, Jonas Foster, Anna, Sarah, Tamera, Sasha and Miles.
Cards or acknowledgements may be sent to P.O. Box 361225, Milpitas, CA 95036.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Michael Mihalakis
Peggy Childers
December 26, 2011
To the family and friends of Spc. Michael G. Mihalakis:
Please accept my remembrance of Michael on the anniversary of his passing and know that he will never be forgotten.
Randy Chenier
January 7, 2011
I salute you soldier for your scarifice to your Country, God and Family. I am a Vietnam Veteran and have been engaged in residential development for over 30 years. We built a residential complex in 2008 in the city of Milpitas. The city gave us a choice of several names for our streets in our new residential development and it was noted what you did which made it easy for me to choose your family name. We were honored to find out that the city granted our request for your name to be used, which was for our main street. I hope some day to meet your family and honor them as well. 'We Must Never Forget'.
Peggy Childers
December 26, 2010
To the family and friends of Spc. Michael G. Mihalakis:
Remembering Michael on the anniversary of his passing. May our fallen heroes never be forgotten!
Peggy Childers
www.IraqWarHeroes.org
Stephanie Rafoss
November 7, 2010
Prayer for Peace
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace;
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there us injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master,
Grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
To be understood, as to understand;
To be loved, as to love;
For it is in giving that we receive,
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen
jessie crews
May 31, 2010
i wanted say that this memorial day as well as all other days mike i have not stoped thinking about you, that you and your service has not been forgotten. i feel terrible i was not there to celebrate our birthday. but i miss you so much. i love you and your always in my heart.
Donna Gillette
December 27, 2009
On this day and with each day that we enjoy our freedom, I would like to give thanks and let you know that I do not take our troops for granted. May you experience God when you feel your loss.
Kenna
November 24, 2009
”Honor and Remember” - “Project Compassion” We love our Soldiers! We love our country and we cannot express enough love and compassion to the families of our fallen heroes. War does not discriminate – It breaks our hearts to see the faces of the fallen. We want to give this gift to the hero’s Mother, Father and/or spouse. We are a 501c3 nonprofit organization! Over 1,800 portraits have been completed and shipped to the parents and or spouse - at no cost as this is a gift from one American to another!
This is a gift! We have some wonderful sponsors who help with the costs, and only want you know that we care.
Contact us directly at [email protected] or go to www.heropaintings.com . If you have already had a portrait completed, we pray that you are enjoying the portrait and God Bless You.
Sincerely and Respectfully,
Kenna
Mattie & Courtney
November 11, 2009
Thank you for all that you did to protect America. And to be brave enough to fight for us right out of high school. We appreciate everything you did for our country. Thank you again.
kay
October 27, 2009
Thank you sir! God Bless You.
Bernadine Hoeke
May 25, 2009
I'm sorry for your loss and I appreciate what he did for us.
I lost a brother in vietnam.
God bless you
Gina Zanussi
May 25, 2009
God bless you and your family this Memorial Day and thank you sincerely for your service and sacrifice. You aren't forgotten.
In Memory of Michael ~ (Debra Estep)
January 1, 2009
Holding you all in my thoughts and prayers.
The Wind on The Downs
“I like to think of you as brown and tall,
As strong and living as you used to be,
In khaki tunic, Sam Brown belt and all,
And standing there and laughing down at me.
Because they tell me, dear, that you are dead,
Because I can no longer see your face,
You have not died, it is not true, instead
You seek adventure in some other place.
That you are round about me, I believe;
I hear you laughing as you used to do,
Yet loving all the things I think of you;
And knowing you are happy, should I grieve?
You follow and are watchful where I go.”
(Written by Marian Allen during World War l )
Two lines that I wish you to keep near your heart…….
“You seek adventure in some other place.
That you are round about me, I believe”
I did not know Michael, but I am remembering
his service and sacrifice. He is my hero. !
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The Other Side
i'm over on the other side
where life and death softly divide.
left my skin and bones behind
now i'm over on the other side.
can you feel me there with you?
my breath is gone but i'm not through.
loved you then and i still do
from over on the other side.
i can fly. really fly.
below the earth ... all through the sky.
tell em all i did not die.
i'm just over on the other side.
it's good here on the other side.
the sweetest songs...the bluest skies.
thank you for the tears you cried
but it's good here on the other side.
i can fly. really fly. below the earth...all through the sky.
tell em all i did not die.
i'm just over on the other side
the world is smaller than a needle's eye.
where life and death softly divide.
when you leave your skin and bones behind
i'll be waiting on the other side.
i can fly. really fly. below the earth ... all through the sky.
go tell em all i did not die.
i'm just over on the other side.
Song lyrics by Don Conoscenti
C Desert Muse/SESAC
www.donconoscenti.com
(Used with permission)
“I hope it brings great comfort to any and all.
Peace on you. DonCon” 4-2008
The Other Side –
(To hear the song)
http://tinyurl.com/3o8gol
Sincerely,
Deb Estep ~ Ohio
Proud Air Force Mom SSgt Vince – Lackland AFB
Proud Air Force MIL SrA Dana – Randolph AFB
Remembering The Fallen – Blog
http://tinyurl.com/3z8p55
Angel and soldier drawing I have shared here.
http://tinyurl.com/6gey8b
Peggy Childers
December 25, 2008
To the family of Spc. Michael G. Mihalakis:
Michael gave the ultimate sacrifice and will be held in the hearts of Americans forever. I cannot and will not let our fallen heroes be forgotten. My deepest sympathy to you. "Some gave all."
Peggy Childers
"Don't Let The Memory Of Them Drift Away"
www.IraqWarHeroes.org
R Collis
July 23, 2008
It is difficult to know what to say since I want to express my sincere sympathy to the family and friends of Spc Mihalakis. Please know that your loved one is not forgotten. I wish everyone impacted by this tragic loss strength and peace. I hope that Spc Mihalakis knew that there are people in America who respect his great courage in serving as a member of the US military. Although I did not know him, I know that he must have been a very special person to be willing to do something that most Americans will never have to experience, and for that we can never say thank you enough.
Thank you Spc Mihalakis!
Kim
May 23, 2008
Thank you for the sacrifice made by Spc Mihalakis and the sacrifice made by everyone who loves and misses him. You will never be forgotten.
Thank you for fighting for our country.
March 22, 2008
You are remembered and respected. Thank you Spc Mihalakis!
ancient owl
September 2, 2007
I can't begin to describe the greif I felt after reading your son's letters. First in Newsweek and then on the web. I can't imagine what you've had to endure.
After reading your son's letters and knowing he is gone, the world suddenly seemed a little colder.
Althea B
July 25, 2007
Thank you for your willingness to defend the United States of America and all that we hold sacred. Though tears can never bring you back, we hope that our tears express our gratitude for the sacrifice that you made and our sorrow at your passing. You are truly a hero and your sacrifice will never be forgotten. Your mission on earth is complete. Stand down brave warrior and take your rightful place in Heaven with all the heroes who have passed before.
July 8, 2007
Thank you for the sacrifice made by Spc Mihalakis and the sacrifice made by everyone who loves and misses him! May God bless all of you!!
Mrs. Jessica Pavillard
April 23, 2007
Dear Mihalakis Family,
My heart breaks for you and your loss. Though I did not know your beautiful young man, my eyes swell with tears when I think of the pain you must feel. To lose a light so bright and young, I know you think of him everyday and I know he is an angel who stays close to you on days when you feel that you cannot go on.
Your brave boy was a hero. He faced fears that most never have to see, he stood strong and did his duty with honor and commitment. As an Army Wife myself, I know how hard those nights are~ waiting for the phone to ring, waiting for the letters or emails to come, and hours spent in prayer that he will come home to you safe. For me, I have been lucky, mine thus far has returned to me. I can only imagine the feelings of loss felt when your troop did not return to you safely. I wish that I could bring him back to you, make you whole again, that I could take away your pain and loss, but of course, I cannot.
I can only tell you that the world is a better place because of your handsome, brave, young hero. That he is more than a number, more than a statistic on the news... That he was too good for this world and that because he is no longer with us, the world is a little dimmer with the loss of his bright light.
He is the definition of hero. Good men are remembered by friends and family, Heroes are remembered by those who never knew them... He will be remembered by this Army Wife and so many more. This young man... I am so so sorry for your loss. I have little doubt your sweet son sits by your side and wipes your tears away. May God bless you and keep you close. Your Angel Hero child will be rememebered. Always... ALWAYS...
Wendy Beadle
February 3, 2007
I don't know you, just saw that you're from my town.
Thank you, and I'm sorry. My heart goes out to your family.
shawnee (Austin, TX)
January 7, 2007
I am sorry for the loss of your loved one. He is an American hero and will not be forgotten.
Rest in Peace.
Garnet Jenkins
December 23, 2006
As the holidays are upon us, it is my honor to remember this Brave Young Soldier, Spc. Michael G. Mihalakis, with a great amount of Thanks for his Courage, Dedication and Service to our country and for freedom.
May Michael, rest safely in God's Loving Care and know that he is a True American hero, that shall Never Be Forgotten.
May the Peace of the Lord continue to be with the Mihalakis family.
There will never be enough ways, to humbly thank these Heroes, for their Supreme Sacrifice, my brother among them. KIA-Vietnam 1967.
"And God shall wipe away every tear from their eyes,
there shall be no more death,
nor sorrow, nor crying,
there shall be no more pain.
For the former things have have passed away."
Revelations 21:4
May you find peace in knowing the love and memories you have, will remain in your heart forever and that this Country remembers Michael's sacrifice.
I am deeply sorry for your loss.
Kat
December 16, 2006
Its just coming on 3 years sense his death and I still can't believe its happened. I miss him terribly and I find myself talking to him on a daily basis. What a loss for us, for his kindness and generosity was unmatched by many who stood beside him. LOVE YOU bebe, and miss you everyday.
Jack Sullivan
May 15, 2006
I was waiting for Michael to return to my classroom at Cuesta. He was going to be about two weeks late but of course he was welcome . My sympathy to his family.
Michael Graham
September 26, 2005
He was a good guy.And a great friend, We jammed together, he played guitar and i played keyboard at ft. lewis, even in kuwait, before moving foward. I got him his first tattoo. He is still and always missed
Wade Mihalakis
May 12, 2005
Micheal was a great person and will be deeply missed..
Mons. John C. Yanek, O.S.B. Obl., D.D.,
January 5, 2004
Mass will be offered for the repose of the soul of Michael on Old Christmas, 7 January, at noon. May he rest in peace. Amen.
eric and suzi webb
January 2, 2004
We are very sorry for your loss,
although I do not know you, reading
of one who died for our country, gives us special meaning as to why
this war happened. Our prayers and
thoughts are with each and everyone
of you durning this difficult time
may god bless each other you and keep him in his loving care. The Webbs, Santa Rosa California
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