Lynn A. Westmoreland: “Sergeant Mike Stokely joined his fellow soldiers in the National Guard in Iraq, turning down a service opportunity that…”

“Sergeant Mike Stokely joined his fellow soldiers in the National Guard in Iraq, turning down a service opportunity that would have allowed him to stay home in Georgia. Last year Sergeant Stokely married his high school sweetheart. Then, 1 week later, he answered his Nation's call to duty and headed to Iraq as part of the 48th Brigade. Sergeant Stokely's work in the Army fulfilled his lifelong dream. According to his father, Coweta County Solicitor Robert Stokely, from the time Sergeant Stokely was in middle school, he cared more about seeing his name on dog tags than seeing his name on a driver's license. As a rising senior high school star, he chose to spend his fleeting days of youthful freedom at a Fort Benning boot camp. In early August of last year, Sergeant Stokely called his family from Iraq and told them that if the time came to make the ultimate sacrifice for his Nation, he was ready. Then on August 16, 2005, after having been on duty for more than 30 hours, Sergeant Stokely volunteered for another mission. Sergeant Stokely stood guard as his best friend and another soldier checked a suspicious location. An IED exploded, and Sergeant Stokely died in his best friend's arms. It happened 3 months after his wedding day.…”