Michael Salsman

Michael Ashley Salsman was born in Dothan on July 25, 1980. He graduated from Enterprise High School, Enterprise, in 1998. Upon graduation he was employed as a journeyman electrician.
After the country declared war, Michael answered the call to service by enlisting in the U.S. Army and attended basic training at Fort Benning, Ga., in January 2003. Upon completion of basic training, he entered Advance Individual Training (AIT) at Fort Gordon, Ga., as a satellite communications operator and maintainer. Michael's first assignment was with the 509th Signal Battalion at Camp Ederle, Vicenza, Italy. He served with distinction during Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom in Iraq and Afghanistan. During his assignment, Michael completed the combat lifesavers course and the small arms maintenance course and was awarded the Combat Action Badge for his heroism during Operation Enduring Freedom in July 2005.
Michael transferred to the 1st Space Brigade, Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado Springs, Colo., in October 2006 and attained the rank of specialist. He initially served as the chaplain's assistant and planned numerous events for the brigade. Despite working outside of his operational career field, Michael's dedication to his position ensured the spiritual welfare of more than 300 Soldiers. With a finalized security clearance in May 2007, he transitioned to the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Space Brigade. He served as the nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) warning specialist for the Headquarters Company. His duties included NBC training and equipment maintenance for more than 80 Soldiers. Because of his prior experience as a small arms maintainer, Michael was chosen to represent the company as a unit armorer. His dedication and expertise in the Arms Room set him up to become the primary armorer in the future.
Although Michael trained as a satellite communications operator and maintainer, he willingly volunteered for positions outside of his educational background. Along with his duties as the armorer and NBC specialist, Michael continually represented the brigade as an assistant for ceremonies, exercises and other Space and Missile Defense activities. In December 2007, he received a Letter of Appreciation from the 1st Space Brigade Commander for his achievements while volunteering to move the Space and Missile Defense G3 department. Michael was also selected as the Brigade Command Team driver for the Key Resolve 2008 exercise in Korea. As a leader for his peers, Michael sacrificed his time quizzing soldiers on all aspects of military operations and procedures in order to successfully prepare them for the Soldier of the Month board.
Michael's military awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Joint Meritorious Unit Award, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Iraqi Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon and the Combat Action Badge.
Preceding Michael in death was his maternal grandfather, Eugene Johnson, and his paternal grandparents, Robert and Joyce Salsman.
Michael is survived by his mother, Ms. Alicia Salsman of Enterprise, and his father and stepmother, Mr. Michael Salsman and Darlene Stroup of Mico, Texas; maternal grandmother and stepgrandfather, Patricia and Monroe Cherry, Enterprise; aunt and uncle, Teressa and Mark Dyess, Enterprise; uncles, Jeffery and Steve Salsman and their wives, Milford, Conn.; several cousins; special friend, Karen Edgeworth, Enterprise.
He will be remembered by his family, soldiers and friends as a dedicated patriot, natural comedian and loving son.
The family will receive friends at Providence Funeral Home, Enterprise, from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday evening, April 27, 2008. At other times the family will be at his grandmother's home, 302 Camellia Drive in Enterprise. The funeral service will be held at Providence Funeral Home, Enterprise, at 11 a.m. Monday, April 28, 2008, with Chaplain Moss officiating. Burial will follow in Meadowlawn Cemetery with Providence Funeral Home directing.
Memorials may be made to the family c/o Providence Funeral Home, 1301 Neal Metcalf Road, Enterprise, AL 36330.
William Searcy of Providence Funeral Home, (334) 393-2273, is in charge of arrangements.