MONUMENT, CO, USA U.S. Army SGT, 501ST FORWARD SUPPORT COMPANY, APO AE 09168, VICENZA, ITALY KIRKUK, IRAQ 12/24/2003
Michael Yashinski was active in baseball until junior high, then played football, and wrestled, and was active in Boy Scouts. He was a black-powder muzzle loading enthusiast and a champion tomahawk and knife thrower. As an historical re-enactor for the Pre-1840 Era Mountain Men and Native American Indians, he performed with his mother at numerous elementary schools, museums and Colorado State functions sharing these historical skills. He also enjoyed playing hockey and was a loyal fan of the Colorado Avalanche team. He and his family settled in the Monument, Colorado area in 1985. Michael graduated from Lewis Palmer High School in 1997.
Sergeant Michael Emerson Yashinski, a native of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina., and the only child of former Marine Staff Sergeant James A. Yashinski and Debora L. Yashinski was killed on Dec. 24, 2003, at Kirkuk Air Force Base in Iraq while serving his country with the 173d Airborne Brigade. He was twenty-four years old.
Sergeant Yashinski was deployed with his unit in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom; and he was among the first troops to airland by C-17 aircraft at the Harir Airfield, seized by the 173d Airborne Brigade, in the Kurdish-held area of northern Iraq. He helped support ground combat operations. In April of 2003, his unit entered Kirkuk in support of nation-building efforts and stability operations.
Michael leaves behind his parents, grandparents, and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins and friends.