The Patriot Guard Riders attended the funeral of Andrew Lancaster in the summer of 2007. At that time, Devin Michel was between his junior and senior years in the high school there.

According to the last census, Stockton has a population of less than 2 thousand people.

Sadly, the battalion has lost another Soldier. On Oct. 24, PFC Devin Michel was killed by an Improvised Explosive Device. PFC Michel served with Charlie Company, 3rd Platoon and was only 19 years old. I had just went out on patrol with PFC Michel and his platoon two days earlier and took quite a few pictures of him during that patrol. I’ve attached a few here. [two shown below] I’ll post more pictures after the memorial service. Please keep his family, friends and fellow Soldiers in your prayers.

http://jetgwot.wordpress.com/

Private First Class Devin Michel of Stockton was killed Saturday in a bomb attack in Afghanistan.

19-year-old Michel was a 2008 graduate of Stockton High School. He played football, softball and basketball. Stockton High Principal Terry Sertle described him as a quiet, nice kid who was also in band and was well liked by his peers. He said everyone is shocked by the news of Michel's death. "Devastated. Absolutely devastated. It couldn't possibly be (him) but as more info started coming in, it really started to sink in," said Sertle.

Life-long friend and co-football player Michael Werkheiser said Michel was the baby of their graduating class. Michel knew he wanted to go into the service during high school. "He loved talking about how big his gun was and stuff he was blowing up. He wasn't afraid of anything," said Werkheiser.

Michel was stationed in Colorado and is survived by his wife of one year, Anika, two sisters and parents. Visitation will be at the Stockton High School on Friday, November 6 at 4 p.m. Funeral Services will also be at the high school on Saturday, November 7 at 11 a.m.

http://www.wqad.com/news/wqad-soldier-stockton-killed-102809,0,6122565.story

U.S. Soldiers from 3rd Platoon, Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, pose for a group photo around the symbolic remains of their fallen Soldier, Pfc. Devin Michel.

Capt. Duke Reim and 1SG Mark Skinner, 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, pay their final respects to Pfc. Devin Michel during a memorial service, Oct. 29, at Forward Operating Base Wilson, Afghanistan.

A Canadian bagpiper plays "Amazing Grace" on the bagpipe during a memorial service, Oct. 29, at Forward Operating Base Wilson, Afghanistan.

U.S. Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, pass on their condolences to Soldiers from 3rd Platoon, Charlie Company.

U.S. Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, pay final respects to Pfc. Devin Michel during a memorial service, Oct. 29, at Forward Operating Base Wilson, Afghanistan.

FORWARD OPERATING BASE WILSON, Afghanistan – Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment mourned the loss of a fallen Soldier during a memorial service, Oct. 29, at Forward Operating Base Wilson.

[Five related photos precede this article and one follows it. All six photos were taken by Staff Sgt. Justin Weaver on Oct 29, 2009]

Pfc. Devin J. Michel, of Stockton, Ill., died Oct. 24 when enemy forces attacked his platoon with an improvised explosive device. Michel joined the Army in 2008 and deployed to Afghanistan, May 24. He leaves behind his wife, Anika.

"It is absolutely devastating to lose him to an incident like this after we have begun to make a difference in this critical area of Afghanistan," said Lt. Col. Reik Andersen, 1-12 IN commander. "Our current successes on the field of battle can be squarely set on his shoulders as well as the shoulders of his valiant comrades of 3rd Platoon."

Soldiers from the 1-12 IN Battalion Charlie Company, 3rd Platoon, remembered PFC Michel for his ability to make you laugh, his calm under fire and his unfaltering work ethic.

"Devin's positive attitude, unwavering determination and courage are all qualities that he displayed on a daily basis," said Capt. Duke Reim, C-CO commander, as he recalled Michel in a firefight, firing his M4, radio strapped to his back, pausing to call up reports in between magazine changes. "Cool and calm, 'The Rock,'" he said. "These I think will solidify his legacy among all who knew him. He is the very finest of America's sons and we will always remember him."

Friends of Michel -- Soldiers who worked with him everyday -- talked about the man they had grown to love.

"Devin Jay Michel was possibly one of the brightest, most courageous, dedicated men I have ever known," said Pfc. Robert Lyons, who talked about Michel giving up a basketball scholarship to instead join the U.S. Army and serve his country. "He was my best friend, my fellow Soldier, but more importantly, he was my brother. I love you Devin."

Spc. Tony Ruiz spoke of Michel as a friend who was always there for him.

"Michel was one of a kind, whose personality spoke for itself to those who knew him," said Ruiz. "He touched our lives in his own way and became our brother. Until the time comes for us to meet at Heaven's door, be at peace. Rest easy my brother, for the line has held, your job is done."

The service ended with a 21-gun salute, taps and a flyover by two OH-58 Kiowa helicopters. Digital pictures of Michel flashed on a screen before the memorial and as music played, hundreds of mourners moved in a long line in front of a set of symbolic remains to pay their last respects.

"Never drafted into war, Devin volunteered, in an America where things were good – no depression – he wanted to serve," said Reim. "Michel gallantly approached his destiny with the family of C Company. Together, he has given selflessly to a noble cause. May God continue to bless us and guide our actions; and may he comfort Devin's family in this, their time of need."

http://www.dvidshub.net/?script=news/news_show.php&id=40817

U.S. Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment salute the symbolic remains of Pfc.Devin Michel during a memorial service, Oct. 29, at Forward Operating Base Wilson, Afghanistan.

A sign standing east of the Stockton High School athletic fields seemed to sum up the village's sentiments.

"Gone too soon. Pvt. 1st Class Devin Michel, Hometown Hero."

U. S. Army Pfc. Devin J. Michel, nicknamed "Fuzzy" in third grade, died on Saturday, Oct. 24, in Afghanistan's Zhari province of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. He was 19, and married a little more than a year.

On Friday afternoon, Devin's parents, Terry and Rebecca Michel, and his widow, Anika, discussed their loss during a news conference at their home.

Rebecca described her son as a "normal, typical, fun-loving kid," with many friends. He lived life to the fullest.

"At times, he was a little difficult," Terry said. "He was free-spirited, and if he had a goal, he would aim for it."

Rebecca recalled Devin's interest in joining the Army.

"I told him, 'If you don't have any plans, Honey, you're not going to sit on the couch and eat Cheetos all the time; think about the military,' " she said.

Devin enlisted in the Army after graduation from Stockton High School in 2008. He did basic training at Fort Benning, Ga., before being assigned to the 4th Infantry Division based in Fort Carson, Colo.

Rebecca Michel (right) hugs her daughter-in-law, Anika, Friday after they talked about Army Pfc. Devin Michel, who died Oct. 24.

Anika, 22, was living in Fort Carson when she learned of her husband's death. Two girlfriends drove her back to her hometown.

"Their husbands are still over there," she said. "They are definitely good guys who can put smiles on your face. Devin is greatly missed, and his friends are hurting -- not only here, but there."

Anika and Devin married on Oct. 3, 2008 (she proposed to him, he picked out the rings). He was deployed to Afghanistan on May 30, and that was the last time she -- and Terry and Rebecca -- saw him.

"I still feel like he's deployed," she said.

Rebecca's last words to her son were, "I love you. Please be safe."

Anika recalled that Devin never discussed what happened in Afghanistan, and the couples' last conversation was routine. Devin wanted to be updated on what was happening at home, Anika wanted her husband to reclassify his MOS (military occupational skill) from infantry.

"He didn't want a desk job," she said. "He wanted to be busy shooting guns and blowing up things. That's what he liked to do. He talked about joining special operations, but he lost that argument."

Michel's death marked the second Stockton soldier to fall in battle over the past two years. U.S. Army Sgt. Andrew W. Lancaster, 23, died of wounds suffered from an improvised explosive device in August 2007 in Arab Jabour, Iraq.

Anika described the mood of the village of about 2,000, as one of "anger that two young people didn't make it. Confused, hurt, shocked.

"But you can't change the choices they made," she said.

Mike Bowman, a family friend from Forreston, remembered Lancaster.

"This community came out for Andy," he said. "And there's been unbelievable support for the Michel family. This was a sad day for northwest Illinois. We want to make sure Devin is honored as a hero."

Rebecca sounded grateful for the village's support in the family's time of need.

Codi Herring was visiting her sister, who lives across the street from the Michels. Anika was in Herring's high school class.

"It's sad," Herring said. "It was utter disbelief when the community learned. It must be terrible for the family."

Just down the street from the Michels live Marvin and Charlotte Blackbourn. They bought yellow ribbons for the neighbors and placed luminaries along the neighboring streets to brighten the neighborhood at night in a sign of solidarity.

"How can you help not be devastated? He was so young and newly married," Marvin said.

Charlotte recalled her tears shed for the family.

"My heart just bled for him," she said. "I can't imagine losing a son at that young age."

The flags, the yellow ribbons and luminaries seemed to signify a solidarity that blossomed throughout the city.

"We are leaning on our neighbors," Terry said. "We have to keep working, focusing on getting back to a normal life."

http://www.thonline.com/article.cfm?id=261787

Devin, I never met you. All I know is what I have read, most of which I have posted to this page. I have also studied your image, also posted here. So I do know you a little.

I know you played linebacker wearing the number 50. I know you were doing two-a-days when Andy Lancaster came home. I know you must have visited Apple River Fort, just 11 miles west of your home.

You played football for a team called the Blackhawks. Many athletic teams in Illinois and Wisconsin go by that name. Black Hawk was the Indian chief who was the last to war against the United States east of the Mississippi.

At Apple River Fort the local militia was outnumbered ten-to-one by Black Hawk’s warriors, and yet the Americans prevailed, though not without casualties. In both war and football, your team can suffer losses and still prevail. But you know that.

On September 11, 2001 they killed a few thousand of us. Since then they have killed a few thousand more, including you. The September 11^th dead were a pure loss – a waste. But for your life, we have purchased something wonderful.

You made the world a better place. Thank you, soldier. I am forever in your debt.

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