Michael A. Garren

Ft. Hood, Texas - Army Specialist Michael A. Garren died at Scott & White Memorial Hospital in Temple, Texas on June 2, 2008. Born on April 2, 1988 Michael was the much loved son of Jerry and Tammy Garren and the beloved brother of Matthew and David Garren, all of Staatsburg, NY. On November 11, 2006 Michael began to fulfill his longtime dream of being a soldier when he started training at Fort Knox, Kentucky. On March 23, 2007 Michael graduated as a 19D Cavalry Scout and was assigned to Charlie Troop, 4-9 CAV, 2nd Brigade, 1st Cavalry in Fort Hood, Texas. Shortly after arriving in Texas Michael was deployed to Iraq stationed at FOB Prosperity. His unit returned home from Iraq on January 10, 2008 where they began training for their next deployment to Iraq scheduled for January 2009. Michael is survived by his maternal great grandmother, Margaret Hunt of LaGrangeville, NY, his maternal grandfather Griffith Baxter of Millbrook, NY, his maternal grandparents Ronald & Edna DeLease of Lenoir, NC, and his paternal grandmother, Nancy Garren of Malone, NY. Michael is also survived by numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and his brothers in arms, the soldiers of First Cav, especially those he fought with in Iraq on the streets of Baghdad in 2007. Michael was predeceased by his maternal grandmothers, Bette DeLease and Marlene Baxter, and his paternal grandfather Bobby Leon Garren who will surely love him in Heaven as we all loved him on Earth. Michael was a generous and loving person who could light up a room with his smile. He had a great sense of humor and was a loyal friend to those who were lucky enough to count themselves among his friends. Michael was at his happiest when he was camping in the Adirondacks during the annual family vacations. He loved nothing more than to sit around the fire, barbecue, tube behind the boat, and anything at all that included hanging out with his family and friends. Michael was proud to be a soldier, proud to be a part of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and proud to be the youngest member of American Legion Post 1302 (Arlington). Michael was as giving in death as he was in life donating his organs so that others might have a second chance. On June 3-4, Michael�s gift saved the lives of five people one of whom was a soldier local to Fort Hood. Nothing would have thrilled him more. Calling hours will be from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 Pm on both Monday, June 9th, and Tuesday, June 10th, at Sweet�s Funeral Home, Inc., Rte. 9, Hyde Park. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 am, Wednesday, June 11th, at Regina Coeli Church, Rte. 9, Hyde Park. Rev. Michael Palazzo will officiate. Burial with military honors will take place at 12 noon, Thursday, June 12th, at Saratoga National Cemetery, 200 Duell Rd., Schuylerville, NY. The funeral procession will be gathering at 9am at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial donations in Michael�s name be made to Soldiers� Angels, 1792 E. Washington Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91104 (www.soldiersangels.org), the Army Emergency Relief, Attn: Donations, 200 Stovall St., Rm. 5-N-13, Alexandria, VA 22331-0600 (www.aerhq.org) or the charity of your choice. To send a condolence or for directions, please visit www.sweetsfuneralhome.com.