NcDeuce
05-08-2004, 12:55 PM
Local man among four slain in Iraq
A representative from Mike Teague's security firm arrived at his Clarksville home at 1 a.m. Thursday to notify family members the former Fort Campbell soldier was one of the American civilians killed the day before in a grisly attack in Fallujah, Iraq.
Teague, 38, was always devoted to defending his country. He had returned from his military deployment to Iraq in December, but he still had more to accomplish, said friend Johnny Ratliffe.
So Teague applied for a position with Blackwater Security Consultants to provide security for food deliveries in the Fallujah area, according to a news release from the company. He left Clarksville two weeks ago for a four-month assignment.
"We will miss him beyond measure," Rhonda Teague, 30, said through a family friend last night. "Mike was a proud father, soldier and friend."
Teague, a former member of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, died along with four other Americans civilians Wednesday after they were attacked with rocket-propelled grenades. The men's bodies were mutilated and dragged through the streets.
Ratliffe tries to focus on his friend's mission, rather than his own anger.
"He was aware of the conditions. He volunteered his services to try to help more people," he said.
A Blackwater Security statement on the attacks read, "The graphic images of the unprovoked attack and subsequent heinous mistreatment of our friends exhibits the extraordinary conditions under which we voluntarily work to bring freedom and democracy to the Iraqi people. ... Our jobs are dangerous and while we feel sadness for our fallen colleagues, we also feel pride and satisfaction that what we are doing makes a difference for the people of Iraq."
Teague was a 12-year Army veteran who received a Bronze Star for his service in Afghanistan, his wife said in a statement.
He also served in Panama and Grenada and reached the rank of staff sergeant before becoming a reservist.
"It doesn't really change my opinion one way or another," said friend Johnny Masters of the U.S. occupation in Iraq. "I'm behind America whatever we do."
But it doesn't lessen his anger toward the killers. "Your first reaction is you want to go over there and blow up the whole city," he said.
Teague recalled as a man of faith and giving
Charlotte Myers said her friendship with Teague stemmed from a common love of softball, but over the years she considered him like her family.
"Mike was like one of my boys. He was a very giving person. He loved the game of softball. He loved life. He loved being out," she said.
Teague was the "prettiest boy on the playing field," Ratliffe said.
Myers said Teague showed much pride in his appearance and his equipment on game days. She said everyone used to joke about his tidiness, and once she asked him about it.
"Mike told me that he grew up with not having a whole lot and that taught him the value of what he did have," she said.
Myers said Teague liked working with children and helping them learn.
Masters, wrestling coach at Kenwood High School, said Teague had a gift with people.
"Mike was always the type of person that treated you like you were the most important person in the world," he said.
Teague donated many hours to the Kenwood wrestling program, of which his 16-year-old son is a member. "He was giving of himself to what he thought was right and expected nothing in return," Masters said.
He likened his friend's strength and dependability to the person holding your rope from a cliff top. "Mike would be holding my rope."
Friends said Teague, who was a member of Cumberland Drive Baptist Church, had a strong faith.
"Just before he left, he talked to me a lot about his family and what he wanted to do for his son and his wife," Myers said. "I know Mike was a Christian and he was doing what he loved doing. That's what helps get me through this."
Ratliffe said his friend echoed the sentiment in his last e-mail correspondence, which read, "I love what I'm doing," before signing off.
Known as Iron Mike, known for yelling 'the future of rock & roll' from cell at SERE. Deepest sympathies to the Teague family.
Service in the 160th is a calling only a few will answer for the mission is constantly demanding and hard. And when the impossible has been accomplished the only reward is another mission that no one else will try. As a member of the Night Stalkers I am a tested volunteer seeking only to safeguard the honor and prestige of my country, by serving the elite Special Operations Soldiers of the United States. I pledge to maintain my body, mind and equipment in a constant state of readiness for I am a member of the fastest deployable Task Force in the world – ready to move at a moments notice anytime, anywhere, arriving on target plus or minus 30 seconds.
I guard my unit’s mission with secrecy, for my only true ally is the night and the element of surprise. My manner is that of the Special Operations Quiet Professional, secrecy is a way of life. In battle, I eagerly meet the enemy for I volunteered to be up front where the fighting is hard. I fear no foe’s ability, nor underestimate his will to fight.
The mission and my precious cargo are my concern. I will never surrender. I will never leave a fallen comrade to fall into the hands of the enemy and under no circumstances will I ever embarrass my country.
Gallantly will I show the world and the elite forces I support that a Night Stalker is a specially selected and well trained soldier.
I serve with the memory and pride of those who have gone before me for they loved to fight, fought to win and would rather die than quit.
Night Stalkers Don’t Quit!
"The Lord knows the way I take, and when He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold" JOB 23:10
A representative from Mike Teague's security firm arrived at his Clarksville home at 1 a.m. Thursday to notify family members the former Fort Campbell soldier was one of the American civilians killed the day before in a grisly attack in Fallujah, Iraq.
Teague, 38, was always devoted to defending his country. He had returned from his military deployment to Iraq in December, but he still had more to accomplish, said friend Johnny Ratliffe.
So Teague applied for a position with Blackwater Security Consultants to provide security for food deliveries in the Fallujah area, according to a news release from the company. He left Clarksville two weeks ago for a four-month assignment.
"We will miss him beyond measure," Rhonda Teague, 30, said through a family friend last night. "Mike was a proud father, soldier and friend."
Teague, a former member of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, died along with four other Americans civilians Wednesday after they were attacked with rocket-propelled grenades. The men's bodies were mutilated and dragged through the streets.
Ratliffe tries to focus on his friend's mission, rather than his own anger.
"He was aware of the conditions. He volunteered his services to try to help more people," he said.
A Blackwater Security statement on the attacks read, "The graphic images of the unprovoked attack and subsequent heinous mistreatment of our friends exhibits the extraordinary conditions under which we voluntarily work to bring freedom and democracy to the Iraqi people. ... Our jobs are dangerous and while we feel sadness for our fallen colleagues, we also feel pride and satisfaction that what we are doing makes a difference for the people of Iraq."
Teague was a 12-year Army veteran who received a Bronze Star for his service in Afghanistan, his wife said in a statement.
He also served in Panama and Grenada and reached the rank of staff sergeant before becoming a reservist.
"It doesn't really change my opinion one way or another," said friend Johnny Masters of the U.S. occupation in Iraq. "I'm behind America whatever we do."
But it doesn't lessen his anger toward the killers. "Your first reaction is you want to go over there and blow up the whole city," he said.
Teague recalled as a man of faith and giving
Charlotte Myers said her friendship with Teague stemmed from a common love of softball, but over the years she considered him like her family.
"Mike was like one of my boys. He was a very giving person. He loved the game of softball. He loved life. He loved being out," she said.
Teague was the "prettiest boy on the playing field," Ratliffe said.
Myers said Teague showed much pride in his appearance and his equipment on game days. She said everyone used to joke about his tidiness, and once she asked him about it.
"Mike told me that he grew up with not having a whole lot and that taught him the value of what he did have," she said.
Myers said Teague liked working with children and helping them learn.
Masters, wrestling coach at Kenwood High School, said Teague had a gift with people.
"Mike was always the type of person that treated you like you were the most important person in the world," he said.
Teague donated many hours to the Kenwood wrestling program, of which his 16-year-old son is a member. "He was giving of himself to what he thought was right and expected nothing in return," Masters said.
He likened his friend's strength and dependability to the person holding your rope from a cliff top. "Mike would be holding my rope."
Friends said Teague, who was a member of Cumberland Drive Baptist Church, had a strong faith.
"Just before he left, he talked to me a lot about his family and what he wanted to do for his son and his wife," Myers said. "I know Mike was a Christian and he was doing what he loved doing. That's what helps get me through this."
Ratliffe said his friend echoed the sentiment in his last e-mail correspondence, which read, "I love what I'm doing," before signing off.
Known as Iron Mike, known for yelling 'the future of rock & roll' from cell at SERE. Deepest sympathies to the Teague family.
Service in the 160th is a calling only a few will answer for the mission is constantly demanding and hard. And when the impossible has been accomplished the only reward is another mission that no one else will try. As a member of the Night Stalkers I am a tested volunteer seeking only to safeguard the honor and prestige of my country, by serving the elite Special Operations Soldiers of the United States. I pledge to maintain my body, mind and equipment in a constant state of readiness for I am a member of the fastest deployable Task Force in the world – ready to move at a moments notice anytime, anywhere, arriving on target plus or minus 30 seconds.
I guard my unit’s mission with secrecy, for my only true ally is the night and the element of surprise. My manner is that of the Special Operations Quiet Professional, secrecy is a way of life. In battle, I eagerly meet the enemy for I volunteered to be up front where the fighting is hard. I fear no foe’s ability, nor underestimate his will to fight.
The mission and my precious cargo are my concern. I will never surrender. I will never leave a fallen comrade to fall into the hands of the enemy and under no circumstances will I ever embarrass my country.
Gallantly will I show the world and the elite forces I support that a Night Stalker is a specially selected and well trained soldier.
I serve with the memory and pride of those who have gone before me for they loved to fight, fought to win and would rather die than quit.
Night Stalkers Don’t Quit!
"The Lord knows the way I take, and when He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold" JOB 23:10