Marine Sgt. Michael W. Heede Jr

Remember Our Heroes

Marine Sgt. Michael W. Heede Jr., 22, of Delta, Pa.

Sgt. Heede was assigned to 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.; died July 13, 2009 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

FOX 43 -- DELTA, YORK COUNTY - The Department of Defense said Sgt. Michael Heede, Jr., 22, of Delta, York County was killed while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

Heede was assigned to 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force in Camp Pendleton, California.

Heede was a 2005 graduate of Kennard-Dale High School. South Eastern Schools Superintendent, Dr. Tracy Shank, says Michael was an outstanding young man. She says he was a very admired and respected member of the community, as well as a star athlete.

Heede enlisted in the military in 2005, just a few months after graduating from high school. His stepfather, Jeff Crothers, says Michael had a passion for the military and for serving his country.

"Once the recruiters came to the high school, he just really wanted to be a Marine, he was really proud to be a Marine," said Crothers.

Family and friends say they will remember Michael as a person who lived life to the fullest.

"He was a great kid and he was very active in sports at school and a very likable person," said Patricia Pitman, family friend.

"He was a great person, always happy, very laid back, mild mannered, just a really great all around kid," said Crothers.

Heede will be laid to rest next week at Arlington National Cemetary.

Marine Sgt. Michael W. Heede Jr was killed in action on 7/13/09.