Michelangelo A. Mora, 19

I was never privileged to meet young Michelangelo, but I did see his photo on a banner that was presented to his parents, Mike and Maria Mora, hanging in an entrance window in their Sabetta's Pizza & Pasta store on Main Street at Harbor St. in downtown Morro Bay, California (San Luis Obispo County). I also had the good fortune to be there when Mike's younger brother Julien was helping his father that afternoon.

We do appreciate your supreme sacrifice to your country.

I appreciate what your doin for our country.

My cousin MichaelAngelo Mora will never be forgotten... I still visit his hometown and his grave stone but everyday we all think of him... I love you Primo...

My Beautiful Cousin Today You Would of Been 24 Years Old. You were way too Young to die. But the only thing that brings me hope is that I know I will see you again One Day In Heaven. See You there. I love and Miss You Dealry.

Another soldier dies while I celebrate my birthday. Wow, never knew it could be like this, you think everything is ok because we have the brave soldiers fighting for us, so we can celebrate birthdays, kind of ironic how I dont want to celebrate me turning 40 I cry because most of our soldiers and heros aren't even turning 20. SAD!!!!, I'd rather celebrate heros!!!!!!!

I was with Mora before our deployment and we had a lot of fun. He was so funny and always up to something. It was a very sad day when I got the news that he wasn't coming home with us but I knew that he loved his job and he was good at it. I loved Mora and still think about him to this day. He was one of my baby boys and he will be missed 4ever and always be in my heart.

Michelangelo, Im sorry I never had the chance to meet you. You are an outstanding soldier, you have given the ultimate sacrifice. You are way to young, the Lord knows what he is doing, as I am certain you are in heaven, God Bless your parents, protect them from the hell they are going through, I will pray for them. Thank you Micheangelo, With respect, Christopher J. Garcia 501fst Attack Helicopter Battallion Headquater Co. 1fst A.D.

I was blessed to even be in Mike's presence while in Iraq..Mentally he was way beyond his time..All the long days and short nights, no matter what the circumstances, he could light up the whole area!!(and i still have every single one of those cd's You burned for me too!!)..You will definitely be missed by all of us Iron Troopers..I remember that day exactly like yesterday..I miss you so much Brother,..You might not physically be here, but you are definitely in my heart at all times..God please bless this family so that his memory will forever LIVE. I LOVE YOU!!!!!

I was in basic with Mora. Of all the people there I remember him the most. He could not be broken. He was a strong young man and someone who never failed to help lift up a smaller, or weaker friend.
I think about you all the time my friend... I expect you to be there at the pearly gates with a smile on your face and a story or 2 for me. Miss you brother

I will never forget you, you were always so much fun. Rachel and I love and miss you and think about you all the time.

My Son, Robert and Mike are the same age and I coached Mike two years while he played on the YMCA Roller Hockey Team I was coaching at the time. He was always a fun, energetic, guy and would always volunteer to play goalie, a position that we did not have many volunteers for! I used to call him Teenage Mutant Goalie because of his name being the same as one the the characters in a cartoon my younger son watched. This is close to home for me as Mike and my Son both joined the Armed Forces at the same time with my Son going into the Army while Mike chose the Marines. My Son is still serving in the Army for over six years now and is currently a Military Policeman now stationed at Fort Carson. I just want you all to know what a special Young Man Michelangelo Mora was and his memory is in my heart and I think of him every time I see a young man playing goalie at a roller hockey game! I am glad I got to be able to meet and coach this fine young man. He will be missed greatly by myself and my Son as they developed a close friendship when they played together that carried on after roller hockey.

Dear Cousin,
I was only five when you died but, looking at all the pictures of you holding made me realize that you were a great young man and an awesome cousin.=) You loved us and we love you. We miss you. I wish I could have had more memories with you but God has you in his hands now. We love you and we miss you. Rest in peace cousin.
With lots of love,
Abi