CHAGRIN FALLS, OH, USA U.S. Marines SGT, C CO, 3D INTEL BN, (2D INTEL BN, I MHG, I MEF FWD), III MEF, OKINAWA, JAPAN AL TAQADDUM, IRAQ 01/23/2007
When Michael M. Kashkoush was at home, the house was instantly called Party Central. It was my house, but it was really Michael’s house, Michael’s car and Michael’s liquor, said his father, Marwan.
His son once gave a party that turned raucous and drew the police. The revelers fled. His son went out to talk to the police. He said he was the only one drinking, or making noise. He got busted and took the fall for his friends, his father said.
Kashkoush, 24, of Chagrin Falls, Ohio, was killed Jan. 23 in Anbar province. A 2001 high school graduate, he was assigned to Okinawa, Japan.
Wrestling coach Paul Perrine remembered him as a competitor in the 189-pound class who practically lived in the weight room. He was an extremely hard worker, Perrine said.
Kashkoush tried college, then told his dad it wasn’t for him. Dad, I’ve had a soft life, his father recalled. I’ve always admired the Marines. They’re the toughest and the most disciplined and that’s what I need.
He learned Arabic at the Defense Language School in California and worked in counterintelligence.
Mark Iammarino was Michael’s high school history teacher and coach. Just hours after word came down, his students started talking.
“I’ve heard it already today, students want to know who he was, what he was like, what he did, and look at his pictures in the yearbook,” Iammarino said. What they’ll hear are stories of a bright but quiet alum.
“Mike was one that just about everyone on the staff knew,” said Chagrin superintendent David Axner.
He helped take the football and wrestling teams to winning seasons, then graduated and enlisted in the Marines.
“He seemed like a kid where that [the military] would appeal to him. Discipline of military, and possibility to represent the country,” Iammarino said.
He was a member of the 3rd Intelligence Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force, based in Okinawa, Japan–before taking position in Iraq.
His family tells Channel 3:
[We} would like to thank the communities of Chagrin Falls and Cleveland for the support and kindness shown us during this very difficult time. Michael was an honorable young man who served his corps and his country with the utmost pride and respect.
Comentários