Michael J Mackinnon

West Point, 1997

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Jake Kramer on November 10, 2005:

Family, friends, comrades: As most of the Soldiers here know, pearls of wisdom tend to show up in the strangest places. Most of us are familiar with the poetry found in hastily constructed latrines, generally in the muck and dirt of god-forsaken third world countries. But, as I was coming down the mountain the other day, I stopped briefly to look out over the valley and grab a smoke. I turned around and there, scrawled on a Jersey barrier in spray paint, was a short phrase; it said ?Life is short.? I reflected on how appropriate that was and, of course, I was thinking about CPT Mike MacKinnon. But, regardless of how short life is, for any of us, these three words triggered in me a sense of appreciation for Mike, because if any one thing can be said of him, it is that Michael MacKinnon lived! A beer in one hand, an empty bottle in the other, a dip in his mouth, a crooked smile on his face, and a witty greeting rolling off of his tongue; that?s how I will always remember Mike, forever. Whether it was running with complete ease at the Basic Course, hugging each other to stay warm at Ranger School, or landing on the drop zone together like sacks of rocks, Mike was always able to put any given situation into perspective with a simple smile, providing a sense of calm to anybody around him. Mike was the epitome of an American Officer and Soldier. A Great American from Montana, Mike was almost as proud of having graduated from this Academy as he was of his car! When others were too timid to display their rings for fear of derision from the ranks, Mike wore his with intense pride every day of his post-graduate life. And Mike?s values, reinforced by the Academy, his dedication to duty, honor and country, will forever be remembered by his deeds. And let me not forget the most important value Mike displayed: Loyalty. Loyalty to the mission, loyalty to his men, and loyalty to his friends. For some of his Soldiers, he was the only commander they ever knew, and for others he was the best. When we both hit a rough patch in our careers as stupid lieutenants, he was my only friend, and a true friend he was. As we say our final farewells to Mike, I can think of nowhere else where my friend, my brother, would prefer to spend eternity than overlooking the peaceful Hudson Highlands of the second home he loved. Bethany, Madison, Noah, John; Thank you for allowing me the honor to help say ?See ya later? to Mike. Keep your feet and knees together, brother, and I?ll see you on the high ground. -Eulogy written and delivered by CPT Jake Kramer, ?97, at Mike?s memorial service on 07 NOV 05 at West Point.

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