Michael J. Crutchfield, 21

I would like to say that Mike was one of the best friends I have ever had. I met him when I entered foster care. I remember first meeting him in Mary Graham Childrens Shelter. We played basketball together. Soon after I was placed in a home. I later ended up becoming his roommate at the Birches Apts. in Stockton. I remembered him right away. It felt weird because I thought I would never see him again. He introduced me to a new way of living. I never met a person who wasnt afraid to speak thier mind or tell people how they felt about certain things. I have always thought about what people might think or say if I did what I felt was right to me so I just followed along with what everyone else did. We lived together, went to the same school, and had the same friends. We had the time of our lives. I will always remember Micheal Jacob Crutchfield.I will always remeber him as that roller blading, stunt-devil,fun-enthusiastic guy. I will miss you Mike.

Crutch... man... The first time i met Crutch was in the supply room at our unit in Fort Bragg. It was friday and the FNG's (freaking new guys) had just come in. He was introduced to us by our sergeant. He gave us the basics of himself, where he was from, his MOS, how old. When we finally broke away from the group and i introduced myself to him, he asked me for my birthday. I told him my birthday and in what we all later learned was his custom, he told me i was a taurus and started describing me almost to the letter. he ended up being my soldier for a short while and like every FNG, he was lost in the sauce just like i had been a few years earlier. he was a very caring person who wanted to know you as a person. i miss our talks that we use to have. im sorry i couldnt save you that day Crutch... as the days get closer to the 23rd, that day and you start taking over my mind... i miss u Crutch...

Michael and I met for the first time in the mail room at FT Bragg. We started talking about computers, MOS's and hardware. Some how we ended up talking about signs and he warned me about my now ex wife. He had a scary ability to characterize a person within seconds. He never bit off more than he could chew and was always willing to help. He was the fastest friend I ever made and lasted until even after I left ft Bragg. when I found out he had died it brought me to tears. I wish I had been there when you needed someone man. I wish I could go back and fix things.

I was with a TNARNG unit in Iraq that was attached to Crutchfield's unit. He helped our unit to get our computer issues squared away. He was a good guy, I got to know him some, wish it had been more so I could have helped him. I knew he had rough childhood but no idea he was thinking suicide. His unit failed him miserably especially the two NCO's over him. They were dogging him out and embrassing him in front of the unit over being late to work and made no effort to find out why he was having this issue. I had just found out about the late problems he was having the morning he killed himself and didn't get the chance to talked to him before it happened. I think about Crutchfield often and wish I could have done something.

Michael was a great kid.
I met Mike when i was just beginning my business in 2005. Mike came to my house to help with my server. I only knew him a short time, but he was smart and wanted to help everyone. I would never have geussed he would ever take his own life. It is a sad and tragic thing when someone so bright and full of life is taken like this.

I first met Michael back in 2005 in AIT. He always found a way to make me laugh. I saw him again in 2006 at a Chinese Restaurant in Fayetteville,NC. We were very glad to see each other. He met my husband and children. Crutch, you will be so missed. I think of you all the time. I am in Iraq right now and you came across my mind. R.I.P my friend. You are always in my heart.