Mike Laleman US Army Hero

"I wanna be an airborne Ranger

I wanna live a life of danger.."

 I can still hear those words we sang as the drill sergeant called marching cadence in basic training.  Many of the drill sergeants wore the Ranger tab on their shoulder, but I didn't know much about the Rangers.  I knew they were held in high regard by people in the US Army. The phrase I heard often was "Rangers are tough SOB's". One of my uncles told me that the Rangers had stormed the cliffs overlooking Omaha beach to knock out the German machine guns and artillery.

Mike Laleman  US Army Ranger  This photo was several years ago, and he has been promoted since then. The tan beret and shoulder tab identify a US Army Ranger.

Mike Laleman (who we all call Michael) has always been in the outdoors. When younger he would often go fishing and hunting. A conversation with young Michael would include details on fishing lures, colors, and types of fish they caught. He bought every kind of fishing lure and hunting equipment. I still have some 50# test line (who catches fish that big?) he gave me on one of my birthdays.

 In high school he was on the school shooting team. He was an excellent shot and they put him in charge of transporting the guns. 

                                                Michael's first deer

He fished with me a number of times in my boat. I don't recall either of us catching any fish, thus no pictures. Bad fishing has almost always been my fault.

                                           Mike and his niece Taylor

Michael is an American hero. He fits my definition perfectly. A hero is the person who steps forward to face a difficult challenge. It is not that he is without fear. That is part of what the feels he has to do. The difference is that the takes on the challenge in spite of the fear.

After graduation from high school Michael enlisted in the US Army. This was after 9-11-2001. Michael enlisted in an infantry unit and eventually passed the difficult Ranger School. Less than 50% of those who began the school passed it. This was the school all of the Special Forces complete. Part of that training was 2-3 week"Survival School". He was dumped in a swamp at night without food and told to survive.

Rangers were also airborne. He regularly jumped out of airplanes. Upon completion he was assigned to a Ranger regiment. This assignment required additional difficult qualification in order to actively serve as a Ranger. I think this was when he became known as  "Mike".

  

The strenuous training did not end on assignment. Being qualified and assigned meant he had a standard of physical fitness to maintain. In also included training in additional skills. Rangers serve in all of the most difficult situations. Their rigorous training puts them in the lead, the "point of the spear".  

The motto "Rangers lead the way" appropriately describes the designation Ranger. They learn how to operate in jungles, deserts, and urban areas in tight scary places. They travel by Humvee, helicopter, and even modified Toyota pickups. 

They may use donkeys and horses in mountainous conditions. Sometimes they parachute in. They use land, water, and air to conduct their operations.

Mike is an expert marksman and has trained as a sniper. For work in urban settings he trained as a locksmith.

The Rangers draw the most dangerous assignments, often at night. Deployment has never been in a place anyone would refer to as “safe”. Mike and his brother, Bryan, wear the Combat Infantry Badge. You must serve in combat to receive this medal.  Mike has been deployed more often than most people in the military. I lost count after 6 combat tours but know he had more.

                                                        

 He currently serves in a leadership role in the US Army. He works at SOCOM, where special operations are planned. His ability to plan, accomplish and to lead have been recognized repeatedly. When you can lead in combat, you can lead anywhere.

Mike continues to fish and hunt when he can. His fishing experiences have gotten diverse and he is landing much bigger fish. He has been part of a special hunt for service members.

Mike continues to be part of a sky dive demonstration team. He serves  along with Rangers, other Airborne troupes and Green Berets. 

He is recently married to Cheryl. He still serves in the US Army.

Mike and Cheryl

He training and his deployments have taken a toll on his body. Like any highly trained athlete, he must condition constantly. In order to be ready to go into action as a Ranger he must stay in top physical condition and endure extreme physical hardships in training. The deployments and training had subjected him to injury. Surgeries to repair damage have become part of his life.  He does not receive the income of a professional athlete. His compensation includes the respect and confidence of those who deploy with him. Like any athlete at some point he will not be able to serve in the field.

 I ask you to think about the difficulty he has endured in service for his country. I ask you to thank him because he deserves to know that we care about his sacrifice. I ask you to thank Cheryl for wishing to become part of this difficult service.  American heroes.