A TRUE LOSS TO FSO AND TO MY FAMILY, PERSONALLY
July 30, 2010 – It’s with great sorrow and a heavy heart that I bring this message to you, but I feel I need to share this with everyone….today I received a phone call from my mother-in-law to inform me that our nephew, Spc Michael Stansbery Jr., US Army was killed in action in Afghanistan, yesterday! You may have heard about the 6 that were killed on the news today…well one of them was my nephew. My husband was very close to Michael, and the family was concerned on how Mike (my husband) would take this news, so they came to me to break it to him…the most difficult moment of my life!
Michael was on his second tour, this time with the 101st Airborne Division and in Afghanistan, last year he was with a different division and was stationed in Iraq. Michael was only 20 years old. Not only was he our nephew, but he was a committed, dedicated soldier who truly gave his life to our country. He always wanted to be a soldier, ever since he was a little boy, I have no doubt that he died doing what he wanted….serving our country. Michael was also a recipient of FSO, and established a wonderful email relationship with Helen Saucier, FSO Packing Event Manager.
She said Michael was such a nice, kind gentleman, and always very polite and appreciative for what we sent to him, He also provided FSO with other names of soldiers, and for this tour, he even requested specific items, that they needed, which we were able to fulfill. What touched Helen so much was how Michael would express in his emails his true appreciation along with certain requests, including pillow case covers because of the dust, Honey Buns, mini-flashlights and cheap snacks and it really moved her when he would even recommended to just go to the Dollar General or Wal-mart and that there is no need to spend a lot of money. He always emailed to say THANK YOU and that he and the guys truly appreciate what FSO does for him and all the military personnel.
Michael, was not only my dear nephew, but he was one of America’s Great Heroes, who will be forever missed, and forever remembered.
Please, for Michael, continue your support of FSO…..as he gave his life for all of us, but always made a point to acknowledge how much he appreciated FSO and all the volunteers. This one really hit home for FSO!
So from Michael and his family….THANK YOU!
God Bless.
Sincerely,
Lynelle Chauncey Zelnar Executive Director and Founder “Michael’s Aunt” PS His funeral will be held in Tennessee, his home….I will post information on the website, as I receive it.According to the AP today: ” The deaths raise the July tally of U.S. service members killed in Afghanistan to 66, making this month the deadliest of the war since U.S. warplanes began bombing Afghanistan a month after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.” Now Michael has become a statistic….but he will always be a hero to me!
