Fallen but not forgotten: Michael Slebodnik
Posted: Wednesday, October 08, 2008 5:04 PM by Daily Nightly Contributor
Filed Under:
John Rutherford
By John Rutherford, Producer, NBC News, Washington
Army Chief Warrant Officer Michael Slebodnik, the father of six children and a veteran of six combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, was buried Wednesday at Arlington National Cemetery.
Slebodnik, 39, died Sept. 11 of wounds suffered when his helicopter was hit by small arms fire in Afghanistan.
Slebodnik enlisted in 1987 after graduating from high school in Gibsonia, Pa., and spent the 
next 21 years flying helicopters in the Army. He participated in Operation Desert Storm in 1990 and served four tours in Iraq before deploying to Afghanistan in January.
He was scheduled to return home this month but was fatally wounded near Forward Operating Base Nagil on the seventh anniversary of 9/11.
"Mickey loved his country," his sister Jody said at an earlier memorial service. "He loved being a soldier. That's all he ever wanted to be."
He also loved his wife, Tanja, his daughter, Ginger, his three sons, Michael, Jacob and Spencer, and his two stepsons, Benjamin and Dylan.
About 100 friends and family members gathered Wednesday morning for Slebodnik's burial, which was preceded by a flyover of four Black Hawk helicopters. Slebodnik's 3-year-old son Michael sat on his mother's lap, clutching a stuffed Panda Bear doll during the brief graveside service.
As is often the case, some of the most poignant tributes to Slebodnik were found on legacy.com.
"I knew Mikey many years ago from Sunday School at St. Killians," wrote June Crowe-Fosnight. "What a wonderful boy."
"I remember seeing him every spring at Crossroad Church when he would come to help Adalaide bring stuff from the barn to the Flea Market," wrote Janice Luffey.
"I looked upon his pictures and I saw the same engaging smile in the man that I recall from high school," wrote Mark Porterfield. "Mickey was a truly nice guy."
"I served with Mike for a short time in Iraq," wrote Gary Linfoot. "The Army has lost a good soldier."
"I'm proud to call Mickey family," wrote Ashley Peters. "I will see him in Arlington, where we honor a true patriot."
Slebodnik was the 79th casualty of the war in Afghanistan to be buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
Photo credits: Family photo of Army Chief Warrant Officer Michael Slebodnik; AP Photo of Slebodnik's burial ceremony, Oct. 8, 2008.
Click here to view tributes to the 409 service members killed this year in Iraq and Afghanistan, including the following eight casualties from last week:
1. Army Sgt. William Hasenflu, 38, of Bradenton, Fla.
2. Army Pfc. Christopher Fox, 21, of Memphis, Tenn.
3. Army Capt. Richard Cliff Jr., 29, of Mount Pleasant, S.C.
4. Army Sgt. 1st Class Jamie Nicholas, 32, of Maysel, W. Va.
5. Army Sgt. 1st Class Gary Vasquez, 33, of Round Lake, Ill.
6. Army Pfc. Christopher Bartkiewicz, 25, of Dunfermline, Ill.
7. Army Pfc. Tavarus Setzler, 23, of Jacksonville, Fla.
8. Army Spc. Jason von Zerneck, 33, of Queens, N.Y.
Washington Producer John Rutherford is a decorated Vietnam veteran. He also posts stories on the military at www.fieldnotes.msnbc.com (click on "John Rutherford" under "categories") and at http://john-rutherford.newsvine.com. The tribute gallery can be found at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22802019/.
