Michael Anthony Cerrone

West Point, 2004

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Eli Myers on November 20, 2006:

Mike, I have put off writing this message many times over the last few days. I do not know how to say goodbye to such a wonderful friend, roommate, and brother. There is a part of me that wants to reminisce about the great times we shared together, you putting up with my quirks for an entire year in the same little cell, but there was so much more than that. The first thing I thought about when I heard the news was all of the things that I could have done to have made your life better, or have prevented you from being in that situation. But it did not take long for me to realize that you were doing exactly what you were meant to do...what you were absolutely destined to do. You could have done something much safer, but you would not have been leading the soldiers that I'm sure meant more to you than anything. You could have been someplace else, but you would never have wanted to be. That was the type of person you were, and that's how your friends will always remember you. You made everyone better around you, and I am a better person for having known you. 24 years of Mike Cerrone wasn't nearly enough for this world, but I thank God for every second that I had. I know I speak for all of the old Vikes when I say that everything we will do for the rest of our lives, we will hold to a higher standard because of your memory. I will carry you with me until that day we talk again, and when my daughter asks me if I knew heroes when I was in the Army, Mike Cerrone will always be the first. God bless you and keep you, Mike...we will all meet again soon. Eli

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