In Memoriam

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Sgt. Michael Kashkoush

(reprinted from Cleveland.com, February 1, 2007)

Friends mourn fallen Marine Sgt. Michael M. Kashkoush, 2001 CFHS graduate, dies in Iraq

CHAGRIN FALLS U.S. Marine Sgt. Michael M. Kashkoush's presence was always felt.

"He'd stand there and be quiet, but everyone knew he was there," Kyle Kiffner, friend and fellow 2001 Chagrin Falls High School graduate, said.

It wasn't necessarily what he said, but the way he carried his 6-foot 2-inch frame.

"Mike was a fun-loving guy," Mike Taber, friend and 2001 CFHS grad, said. "He was always ready to have a good time. He was extremely down to earth."

Kashkoush, 24, was killed on Jan. 23 from wounds suffered during combat operations in Al Anbar province in Iraq, according to a statement from the Department of Defense. He was a member of the 3rd Intelligence Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force, assigned to Okinawa, Japan.

Friends said he was on routine patrol when a sniper shot him in the back, hitting his armor. He was hit again in the side while trying to get back into his vehicle. A helicopter rushed him to a hospital, but it was too late.

A funeral Mass will be said at 11 a.m. Friday at St. Joan of Arc Church in Chagrin Falls. He will be buried at Evergreen Hill Cemetery. Friends may call from noon to 3 p.m. and 5-8 p.m. today at Stroud-Lawrence Funeral Home, 95 South Franklin Street, Chagrin Falls.

Kiffner last spoke with Kashkoushon Jan. 10, two days before he left for Iraq. He had seven months left to serve, and they talked about Kashkoush going back to school.

"He was kind of excited (talking about school). He told me to visit him when he got to college," Kiffner said.

Kashkoush often kept in touch with friends, mostly over the Internet.

"If I ever had problems with life, he would sit and listen and make sense of it," Kiffner said. "He was a great buddy to have."

Kashkoush was born on New Years Day 1983, the only child of Marwan M. Kashkoush and Mary Jane Kashkoush. His house on Hickory Hill Road was remembered as a gathering place.

"He liked having people around," Kiffner said. "He was happy if everyone else was happy. He always put everyone before himself."

Kashkoush spent three years at Chagrin Falls High School, missing only his junior year when his father, an executive with Parker-Harrifin Corp., was transferred to England.

"You could definitely feel the sadness throughout the school today," Superintendent David Axner said Jan. 25 after the high school had a moment of silence followed by the playing of Taps in his honor.

"He was a very likable student. You never heard anyone say a bad word about him."

Quiet and unassuming, Kashkoush played one year of football and wrestled for three years. Head football coach Mark Iammarino plans to have the American flag on every helmet next fall to honor Kashkoush and "other players who have gone on to defend their country."

The Chagrin Falls wrestling team beat Independence and Warrensville Heights and dedicated both victories to him.

"Koush was always there for you through hard times, and always there with you in the best of times," Clay Burnett, his former teammate and current assistant coach, Class of 2000, said in a statement. "Mike has given the ultimate sacrifice while serving his country with the utmost respect an dignity."

Others have honored him by pinning yellow ribbons to their clothes. His neighbors put syellow ribbons on their mailboxes. Friends have flown into town, eating dinner with his family and attending a life celebration party at the Kashkoush home over the weekend.

Kashkoush joined the marines on Jan. 7, 2003, eventually becoming a Counterintelligence/Human Intelligence specialist. He was promoted to sergeant in 2005.

He was awarded the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Purple Heart during his career.

"If you met him, you'd like him in a heartbeat," a Marine Corps representative said in a statement. "He is sorely missed."

Contributions in his memory can be made to the Geauga Humane Society, P.O. Box 116, Novelty 44072, or to a charity of one's choice.