Spotswood Fallen

Thousands of mourners paid final respects Saturday to Army Spc. Michael L. Gonzalez, 20, who lost his life while serving his country in Iraq on August 28, 2008.

The funeral service was held at Spotswood Reformed Church, Main Street, and due to the overwhelming turnout, the service was broadcast live at Spotswood High School. Yesterday, Gonzalez's remains were to be entombed at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va., with full military honors.

Spotswood Mayor Thomas Barlow said he was proud to see so many people, including town officials as well as friends, relatives and other members of the community, attend the services.

On Monday night, the Borough Council was to name Gonzalez as an honorary member of the Spotswood Police Department. Gonzalez had taken part in the borough's Youth Police Academy and had planned on becoming a police officer.

His family, in a statement, said Gonzalez "was a wonderful son and a great soldier who died fighting for what he believed in," and that he served his country because he wanted to make a difference in the world.

Frank Yusko, a Spotswood High School teacher who had Gonzalez as both a criminal justice and history student, said the school is looking at ways to honor the soldier. One thing that has already taken place was the placement of a plate recognizing Gonzalez on the borough's Wall of Honor, located at the high school. About 30 people who attended the school and have served in Afghanistan or Iraq are recognized on the wall.

Yusko said a Gold Star will be placed at the top of Gonzalez's plate on the Wall of Honor. He said a number of other ideas are being considered regarding how to properly pay tribute to Gonzalez, but the school wants to first allow the soldier's family a period of serenity.

Gonzalez is survived by his parents, Pedro and Ida; a brother, Troy; paternal grandparents Maria and Alberto; and a girlfriend, Tiffany Loving; cousin Jonathan Nourse, described as being like a brother to him; and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends, according to his obituary from Brunswick Memorial Home, East Brunswick.

The family asked that memorial contributions be made to the U.S. Adopt a Soldier program, 7440 S. Blackhawk St., Suite 15-106, Englewood, Co., 80112, or to any local food bank or blood bank.

In summer 2006 Michael L. Gonzalez graduated from Spotswood High School, left the comforts of home and the embrace of a legion of friends, and went to basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.

On Thursday night, August 28, the family of Army Military Policeman Spc. Gonzalez learned that he had died earlier in the day, the victim of an improvised explosive-device in Baghdad, Iraq.

Gonzalez, 20, is survived by his father and mother, Pedro and Ida Gonzalez, his brother, Troy Gonzalez, his grandparents Maria and Alberto Gonzalez. He also leaves behind Tiffany Loving, his girlfriend.

Gonzalez’s family issued a statement through the Army Office of Public Affairs:

“Our family is deeply saddened and sorrowful. Michael was a wonderful son and a great soldier who died fighting for what he believed in. Michael served his country as a soldier to make a difference in the world. He will be forever missed by his family and his many friends.”

Gonzalez joined the 340th Military Police Company shortly before deploying with his unit from Fort Dix to Iraq earlier this summer. His home unit is the 430th Military Police Detachment, Red Bank.

Spec. Gonzalez, 20, of Spotswood, died Aug. 28, 2008, in Iraq of injuries sustained when an improvised device exploded. He was assigned to the 18th Military Police Brigade, 95th Military Police Battalion, of the 340th Military Police Company. His home unit was the 430th Military Police Detachment, Red Bank. He enlisted in the Army during his senior year at Spotswood High School and left for basic training after his graduation in 2006. While in high school, he worked as a cashier at ShopRite of East Brunswick, and prior to that at ShopRite of Spotswood. He was predeceased by his maternal grandparents, John B. and Lillian Leiby. Surviving are his parents, Pedro and Ida Leiby Gonzalez; a brother, Troy, at home; his paternal grandparents, Maria and Alberto Gonzalez; his girlfriend, Tiffany Loving; a cousin, Jonathan Nourse; and many aunts, uncles and additional cousins. Visitation was held at Brunswick Memorial Home, East Brunswick. Services were held at Spotswood Reformed Church. The deceased's cremated remains were entombed in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va., with full military honors. Memorial contributions may be made to Adopt A U.S. Soldier, 7440 S. Blackhawk St., Suite 15-106, Englewood, CO 80112 (online at www.adoptaussoldier.org), or to any local food bank or blood bank.

It was well-known that Gonzalez’s dream was to become a police officer, and to further that goal, he joined the military police.

The Spotswood Police Department, Administration and our Community desires to honor the valor, service, and dedication of Michael L. Gonzalez and has appointed him as an honorary police officer of the Borough.

National Night Out 2009 will be dedicated to Michael.