Michael L. Russell Obituary

Since 2016, each Memorial Day my son and I visit Mike’s grave to say thanks and leave flowers.
RIP warrior.

miss you brother

Remembering you today and always! We will not forget. May God bless your family and keep them strong.

Remembering Operation Red Red Wing on the 8th anniversary of your passing. RIP in peace young man. Your work is done. We are still fighting the same fight but hopefully we are making the difference for which you fought. You are not forgotten. Blessings to your family.

~~Peggy Talley, Soldiers' Angels

Miss you brother. Thinkin about you and all that have given everything for the freedoms we all enjoy.

Hello,
We would like to express our deepest condolences and also let the Russell Family know that we recently sent Care Packages to American troops in the war zones. Each box carried a dedication sheet that includes the name, service information and a photo of your loved one. We recognize that this is a humble tribute, but we wanted you to know that it is heartfelt and made possible by thousands of like-minded individuals in the youth hockey community and beyond. We will not forget. May God Bless you and keep you strong.
Sincerely,
Charlie Gili & Family
On Behalf of the US Hockey Players Support Our Troops Campaign

miss you brother...

June 28, 2011
To the family and friends of Sgt. 1st Class Michael L. Russell:
Please accept my remembrance of Michael on the anniversary of his passing and know that he will never be forgotten.

To the family and friends of Sgt. 1st Class Michael L. Russell:
Remembering Michael on the anniversary of his passing. May our fallen heroes never be forgotten!
Peggy Childers
"Don't Let The Memory Of Them Drift Away"
www.IraqWarHeroes.org

Honoring the life, service, courage and sacrifice of this young American serviceman. May those who love him have found some peace since his passing and may they find some comfort knowing that their loss is acknowledged by many people.

My name is Debbie Elam and I am the Chairman of the Virginia Memorial Quilt Project. Our group is making and presenting a numbered memorial quilt to the immediate family of each soldier killed in the Iraq War with ties to the Commonwealth of Virginia. We have a website at www.vmqp.com if you get a chance to see the quilts. We have presented 160 traditional quilts as of this date. Please contact me via email ([email protected]) or phone at 804-598-0465 and I will get the information from you so we can send you a Memorial Quilt in honor of your soldier. TOGETHER...WE WILL NOT FORGET!
Thank you.
Debbie Elam, Chairman
Virginia Memorial Quilt Project
2621 Linbrook Drive
Henrico, VA 23228

Memorial Day 2010...you are remembered. Thank you.

To the family of Sgt. 1st Class Michael L. Russell:
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

”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 you. We are a 501c3 nonprofit organization! Over 1,550 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!
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

160th...not forgotten. Thank you.

No bond is as great as that between a parent and child. My deepest condolences are with you as you grieve.

Missed ya at the race, saved you a seat. Miss you

Happy birthday brother, we miss ya everyday. Skins won on your birthday beat them Cowboys, hell uva present ha. love ya
Miss ya
your brother

My name is Debbie Elam and I am the Chairman of the Virginia Memorial Quilt Project. Our group is making and presenting a numbered memorial quilt to the immediate family of each soldier killed in the Iraq War with ties to the Commonwealth of Virginia. We have a website at www.vmqp.com if you get a chance to see the quilts. We have sent 121 quilts as of this date. Please contact me via email or phone at 804-598-0465 and I will get the information from you so we can send you a Memorial Quilt in honor of your soldier. TOGETHER...WE WILL NOT FORGET!
Thank you.
Debbie Elam, Chairman
Virginia Memorial Quilt Project
2621 Linbrook Drive
Richmond, VA 23228

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. 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 –
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

You are remembered and respected. Thank you Sgt 1st Class Russell!

Headin' to Martinsville tomorrow, got you a seat, miss ya everyday

We miss you brother. Everyday.

My name is Debbie Elam and I am the Chairman for the Virginia Memorial Quilt Project. Our Project's Mission is to present the immediate family of each fallen soldier from the State of Virginia with a numbered memorial quilt. Please contact me at the following:
Debbie Elam, Chairman
Virginia Memorial Quilt Project
2621 Linbrook Drive
Richmond, VA 23228
or you can email me at [email protected] or call me at 804-379-3817. You can view our work on www.vmqp.com. We hope to hear from you soon! God Bless.

Remembering with pride one of America's Heroes on this Veterans Day 2007. You will never be forgotten. God's Peace+

If this person can stand in battle to ensure my freedom, then I will stand in grief with his/her family to honor him/her. For every fallen HERO there is a bright star that shines in the evening sky to remind us of the cherished gift we were given – even if for too short a time.
My heart breaks again as I sign yet another guest book of another courageous young soldier who gave their life so selflessly. I wish I never found myself in a position to have to sign another guest book for the rest of my life, but I promised LE RON A. WILSON (a dear friend KIA 7/6/07, 18yrs old) that neither he nor any like him would be forgotten and so I will continue until the day there is no longer the need.

PROUD MOTHER OF A U.S. SOLDIER
Althea Barrett(Queens, NY)

Thank you for the sacrifice made by Sgt 1st Class Russell and the sacrifice made by everyone who loves and misses him! May God bless all of you!!

My name is Debbie Elam and I am the Chairman of the Virginia Memorial Quilt Project. Our Project's Mission is to present the immediate family of each fallen soldier from the State of Virginia with a numbered memorial Quilt. On June 23, 2007 we invited the families of the soldiers that we have presented a quilt thus far to a luncheon to meet each other and to meet us. Please contact me at the following so I can get additional information we need so we can present your family with a quilt.
Debbie Elam, Chairman
Virginia Memorial Quilt Project
2621 Linbrook Drive
Richmond, VA 23228
Home Phone 804-379-3817
You can also send me an email at [email protected]. We hope to hear from you soon. God Bless.

Gratefully remembering Michael for his selfless service, courage and sadly, ultimate sacrifice to serve our country --

As the 4th of July arrives, we remember
-- the freedoms our country take for granted - are not free! they are only because of the special ones like Michael

GOD bless your family as you deal with the continued grief.
He will NEVER be forgotten.

In tribute to Sgt. 1st Class Michael L. Russell, with a Multitude of Thanks, for this Brave Young Soldier's Courage, Dedication and Service to our Country and for Freedom.

May Michael Rest Safely, in God's Loving Care and may the Peace of God continue to be with the Russell family.
Those who Made this Ultimate Sacrifice, So Many and So Young, shall Never Be Forgotten, my brother among them. Killed in action Vietnam in 1967.

"I will lift up my eyes to the hills- from whence comes my help?
My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth."
~ Psalm 121:1-2 ~

I am sincerely hoping that you continue to feel the thoughts of caring and support that surround you each day, as this Grateful Country Remembers Someone Very Precious to you, who is a Hero to all of us.
I am So Deeply Sorry for your loss.

Mike, my friend. If one had to go, and we all must, your way is noble and fills my heart with pride and a sort of jealousy because your bravery and courage and loyalty dwarfs mine. Your blood and sacrifice are part of what defines this nation as the Great Nation that it is, and will continue to be. You were not wasted, but were invested. I try to be a better man when I think of trying to measure up to you. When things get tough, I think of you and it makes me drive on to the finish. Thank You So Much for being who you were. Hillclimbers. ACM.

My name is Debbie Elam and I am the Chairman for the Virginia Memorial Quilt Project. The Friendship Circle Quilters and other Volunteers in Richmond, VA have a project to present the immediate family of each fallen soldier from the Commonwealth of Virginia with a memorial quilt. Please contact me at the following:
Debbie Elam, Chairman
Virginia Memorial Quilt Project
800 Hallsboro Road
Midlothian, VA 23112
Home Phone 804-794-6364
or you can email me at [email protected]. We hope to hear from you soon! God Bless.

Thinking of Mike's family and friends on this Veteran's Day 2006.
God's Peace+

MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOURS. I HAVE JUST LEARNED OF YOUR GREAT LOSS AND WISH TO EXPRESS MY DEEPEST CONDOLENCES. PLEASE KNOW THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE OUT HERE WHO DO CARE AND YOUR HERO WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN. HOLD TIGHT TO YOUR TREASURED MEMORIES THAT HIS SPECIAL SMILE MAY CONTINUE TO SHINE ON FOR YOU. I PRAY THAT PEACE WILL FIND YOU ALL SOMEDAY. STAY STRONG AND GODSPEED. SEMPER FI



A PROUD MARINE MOM

To the Russell family. I previously signed Michael's guest book. Michael a year ago today you were taken. You are my hero and you will NEVER be forgotten.

My heartfelt sympathy to the Russell family in the loss of Michael. I did not know Michael, but my heart is broken and I am saddened for your loss of such a fine young person and hero. May God bring you peace in your heart as you reflect on all the wonderful memories you hold so close. Please know that you are in my heart and prayers. You are a hero and you will never be forgotten.

I send each of you a hug from the most inner part of my heart.

Love and Peace

Tom



To live in the hearts

of those you leave behind

is never to die"

~Robert Orr~

I am so sorry for your loss! We don't know how anyone really feels until it happens in our own family. May God embrace you and lessen your grief with time.

R.I.P soldier...

Maureen and I wanted to extend our deepest sympathies to the Russell family on their loss. Sgt. Russell and the Special Ops guys, among others, were killed in the helicopter crash brought down by enemy fire while trying to come to the rescue of our son, Lt. Michael P. Murphy and his small SEAL team in the mountains of Kunar province, Afghanistan. We share your grief over the loss of a loved one and are forever grateful that Michael was surrounded by such great and loyal friends who were willing to lay down their lives for each other, GOD and country. These men were true blue "American Heros" and will never be forgotten in our hearts, minds or prayers. We salute the sacrifice of Sgt Mike Russell and his Teammates in the 160th Special Operations Aviation Group in their attempt to come to the aid of our Mike and his men. You are all true American heros.

As Abraham Lincoln once wrote " in the solemn pride that must be yours, to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom." These are men who will live on in the memories of those who follow in the fight for freedom and justice. Know that you are in our hearts and prayers.

"Greater love has no one than this,

than to lay down his life for his friends."

~John 15:13~

May God give you strength and peace during this time is our prayer for Sgt. Russell's family. We can never repay our debt to men like Sgt. Russell.

My deepest condolences to you on the loss of your loved one from the Brother of a fallen soldier in Afghanistan.

Mike,

We miss you brother, the race will never be the same but you will always have a seat. I will never forget the times we shared, you will always be in our thoughts and prayers, thank you so much for all you did, we are so proud of you. Give Mom a hug.

Night Stalkers Dont Quit.

Sincere deepest condolences are extended to the family of another fallen hero from two very grateful Americans.

RIP brother....God Bless your family and friends. J and T USMC

GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY