AN AMERICAN HERO
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Michael was stationed at Fort Carson Colorado before being assigned to Iraq.  
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 Michael and His Big Brother Jimmie |
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 Michael (R) and His Army Buddy Joshua M. Morberg Joshua was killed in Iraq on December 27, 2005. Joshua was from Sparks Nevada. |
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 MICHAEL WITH HIS WIFE SAMANTHA |
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 MICHAEL WITH LOGAN |
 LOGAN AT CEMETERY |
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Father James and Son Michael
Vietnam and Iraq
Michael was very patriotic!
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Family Marks Milestone |
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 ( Recorder photo by John Tipton ) James Balsley holds a photo of his brother Michael as family and friends gathered at Porterville Cemetery Friday to remember Michael, who was killed one year ago while serving in Iraq. |
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 ( Recorder photo by John Tipton ) |
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Sitting left to right Jim Balsley, Father, Amey Chesbrough and Bev Balsley, Mother |
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Anniversary Of Michael’s Death Observed.
January 26, 2008 - 12:40AM
THE PORTERVILLE RECORDER
An extended Balsley family
surrounded the grave of Army Specialist Michael Balsley on
Friday, one year after he died fighting for their freedom.
Jim and Beverly Balsley and their other son James drove from Hayward to Porterville to be with Michael on the anniversary of his death. Michael was killed on Jan. 25, 2007 when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle during combat operations. He was assigned to the 61st Calvary Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, based out of Fort Carson, Colo. He was 23 years old. “It still doesn’t seem real to me,” Beverly Balsley said. “His unit just got back a couple of weeks ago. I know if he was alive, this year would have dragged along.” Heather Decarsky, 23, stood alongside the Balsleys and said she and Michael grew up together in Hayward. “He was my best friends,” Decarsky said. “He’s the only person I’ve known for my whole life.” Half a dozen or more of Michael’s friends also made to trip to Hillcrest Cemetery to share stories and to honor their own fallen hero. While the Balsley family resides in Hayward, their son was buried in Porterville at the wishes of his wife. Beverly said her son made the decision to go into the military after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. His father, a Vietnam veteran, and many of Michael’s friends initially tried to talk him out of joining the military. Once he had made up his mind, they supported him completely. “I’m 150 percent behind my children’s decisions,” Jim Balsley said. “There’s some of us that hear the calling.” The Balsleys said they try to make to the cemetery about every three months and will always be there to remember birthdays and this solemn anniversary. “I’m proud as hell of Michael,” Jim Balsley said. “It’s a fact that young men and women go to battle and some of them don’t come home.” Contact Sarah Elizabeth Villicana at 784-5000, Ext. 1045, or svillicana@portervillerecorder.com Permission To Post This Article Granted. |
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A Soldier does not die until they are forgotten!
