| 1/23/2008 3:00:00 PM | Email this article • Print this article |
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| SON MOURNED: Mike Schoolcraft Jr., father of fallen U.S. Army Spc. Jon Michael Schoolcraft III, pauses to collect himself while talking about his son. Spc. Schoolcraft died Saturday, Jan. 19, in Taji, Iraq, after his vehicle struck a roadside bomb. (Staff photo by Ken Ritchie) |
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| LOST A GRANDSON: Fran Phillips, left, and Virginia Welch break down while talking about the loss of Phillips’ grandson and Welch’s great-grandson, U.S. Army Spc. Jon Michael “Mike” Schoolcraft III, who died Saturday in Taji, Iraq, after his vehicle struck an explosive. (Staff photo by Ken Ritchie) |
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Soldier with Madison ties killed in Iraq
U.S. Army Spc. Jon Michael “Mike” Schoolcraft III remembered by family
Emily Taylor
Courier Staff Writer
As she looked through her purse for a picture of her grandson in his military uniform, Fran Phillips came across a small glass bottle she has carried with her since he was a young boy.
"It was something he dug out of a rubbish pile," she said with tears in her eyes. "I cleaned it up and I've had it with me ever since."
Photographs and mementos are all she has to remember him by now.
U.S. Army Spc. Jon Michael "Mike" Schoolcraft III, 26, died Jan. 19 in Taji, Iraq, from injuries sustained when his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to C Company, 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.
His father and stepmother, Mike Jr. and Dawn Schoolcraft; his grandmother and stepgrandfather, Fran and Gary Phillips; his grandfather and stepgrandmother, Mike Sr. and Marsha Schoolcraft; his great-grandmother Virginia Welch; other relatives including Madison City Council member Damon Welch; and a large extended family are all from the Madison area.
Schoolcraft Jr., Fran Phillips and Virginia Welch shared their memories Tuesday. Phillips sat between her son and her mother on a couch in Welch's apartment, often holding their hands for support while all three fought back tears.
"My son is my hero," Schoolcraft Jr. said.
"He is to all of us," Phillips added.
Schoolcraft III grew up in Wapakoneta, Ohio. His grandparents and great-grandparents were a big part of his life during his formative years.
"He was almost like our son," Phillips said.
After Schoolcraft Jr. and his wife, Cynthia Schoolcraft Hooker, divorced, their son stayed with Hooker in Ohio while his father's side of the family moved to Madison.
"We saw him as much as possible," Schoolcraft Jr. said.
Schoolcraft III was active from a young age, described by his father as a "typical All-American boy."
"He was ornery," Schoolcraft Jr. said.
"But he was cute," Welch added.
"He was never still a minute, but he was loving," Phillips said.
Schoolcraft was an athlete, involved in wrestling, baseball and snowboarding. He also enjoyed spending time outdoors hunting and fishing.
He had dreams for his future and often talked of going back to school. He recently got married while in the U.S. on leave, though his father's side of the family never got a chance to meet his wife. They will meet her for the first time at his funeral in Ohio.
"He was just a good kid, very good person, very respectful," Schoolcraft Jr. said. "The Army took all that and made it even better."
Schoolcraft signed up for the military while he was still in high school through the Army's Delayed Entry Program. This was his second tour in Iraq.
"He had every opportunity not to go, but he re-enlisted," Schoolcraft Jr. said. "He just said he felt a sense of duty."
Schoolcraft Jr. stood behind his son's decision to join the military and knows he died doing what he wanted to do.
"We as a family and me as a parent fully support our troops even though we've suffered a loss," he said.
The Schoolcraft family still doesn't know exactly what happened when the vehicle Schoolcraft III was riding in was hit by an explosive device.
When Schoolcraft Jr. learned early Sunday morning of his son's death, he pictured him alone in the desert. But Army officials assured him that his son was surrounded by fellow soldiers, though he was the only causality of the incident.
"That eased my mind to know the bond that those soldiers develop," he said.
Schoolcraft said the Army has offered a tremendous amount of support to his family during their time of grief.
"I really just can't emphasize enough the amount of support and care this military has provided," he said. "To the Army, he was part of their family."
Yet no matter how much support he receives, the loss of his son is still an all-too-painful reality.
"It's almost like a numbing feeling," Schoolcraft Jr. said. "The grief comes in waves."
Schoolcraft III will be buried in an Ohio cemetery overlooking the baseball field where he often played one of the many sports he loved.
"That's a comfort to me," Schoolcraft Jr. said.
The family knows that the sacrifice Schoolcraft III made for his country will not be forgotten.
"You just pray every day that they'll come home, but you know there's always that possibility," Phillips said. "Because of him we'll live in a free country. Because of him and all the others."
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Reader Comments
Posted: Thursday, March 27, 2008
Article comment by:
Spc. Steve Thompson
Im in Mikes platoon and was there on Jan 18. His loss has been felt by everyone and he is truly missed. His death has made us stronger and closer as a platoon. He will not be forgotten and he continues to be our strength while we are here continuing the mission. Our prayers go out to his family and wife. RIP COOLCRAFT
Posted: Wednesday, March 05, 2008
Article comment by:
Twilla Rasmussen
What unimaginal sadness you must be going thru--Fran we wondered what you were doing all these years,you used to be Mark&Shari's babysitter. Shari found this on the website. Twilla
Posted: Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Article comment by:
SPC Thames, Shea
Mike was my roommate in Taji. It feels strange writing about him now... A month ago we were sitting in our room laughing it up, and talking about family, and Amber his wife. He loved her so much. It seems like all we did was laugh, and talk about home. Schooly was always there for me when I needed some advise, or was upset about anything.
I am so proud to call him "Brother".
Posted: Thursday, February 14, 2008
Article comment by:
Nicholas Sprecher
I remember mike from WLC last may/june I was originally assigned to his platoon when I arrived to Hawaii last year and I have some pretty good memories of him in school with me. The news of his death is hard to bear and my thoughts and prayers go to his family.
Posted: Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Article comment by:
Crystal Sullivan
I am so sorry for your loss. I did not know Mike myself but my husband is over there in the same brigade and knew him. My husband said he was a good guy. Im sure he will be missed. All of our thoughts and prayers are with your family.
The Sullivan Family
Posted: Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Article comment by:
deb sandifer
i am so sorry for your loss, my nephew is in the same brigade and was in a humbee about the 3rd vehicle in or about front of your son.they all are like family together one for all, and all for one.
Posted: Sunday, January 27, 2008
Article comment by:
Mandie Griffin
I remember Mike when he was just a little baby! I would stay all night with Dawn at Fran and Mike's and we would "get" to play with him. I am so sorry for his loss.
Mandie (Gould) Griffin
Posted: Sunday, January 27, 2008
Article comment by:
Janet Wheeler
I am a new army mom. My son just arrived at Schofield Barracks last week after graduating from boot camp Jan. 17th. He leaves for Taji, Iraq in about a month. He told me that his unit just lost one of theirs and that they will be honoring your son at the barracks on Tuesday. My heart aches for your loss. I can't begin to imagine what losing Mike means to his family, friends and fellow soldiers, but I want to offer my deepest condolences to all of Mike's loved ones. Thank you for raising such a self sacrificing son. May God bring unimaginable peace and comfort to your hearts and cherished memories to your mind as you grapple with the loss of your Mike.
An Army Mom
Posted: Thursday, January 24, 2008
Article comment by:
Lindsey
Your son, SPC Schoolcraft, will be missed by all his miltary friends and family. My husband is blessed to have served by his side and will miss his friendship dearly. My prayers are with you and your family
Posted: Thursday, January 24, 2008
Article comment by:
Brenda Jackson
May God's Love be with all of you that knew and loved Mike. I did not have the opportunity to know him. I am sure I would have enjoyed his company. I also have a son in Iraq on his second tour. His daily task is to lead convoys to safely transport their goods. Although he is in an ASV (Armored Security Vehicle) that is 4 layers of armor protected Mike's incident washes reality all over me every day. These losses are even worse on those who are there. God Bless you all and know that I will always appreciate his service and your family's ultimate sacrifice to this country.
Sincerely,
Brenda Jackson
Posted: Thursday, January 24, 2008
Article comment by:
Victoria L. Smith
I want to express my sadness at the loss of Sgt. Schoolcraft. I have had his brother and sister in my classes and they are also great kids. Even though the loss is felt to the depths of your sould, know that he is with his fallen brothers and back with family he lost before. He'll be watching. We should all make sure we are worth the sacrifice he has made.
Posted: Thursday, January 24, 2008
Article comment by:
Todd Tittle
My prayers go out to Mike and his entire family. May God keep you near and dear to his heart during this time of loss and grief. Your son's sacrifice for this country will not go without us saying Thank you for what you have done in service, going above and beyond.
Posted: Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Article comment by:
Rosalyn Dean
May God be with each of you in your family's loss. My heart & prayers go out to all of you. Please accept my sympathy.
Posted: Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Article comment by:
Amanda Selvage
Mike was a great guy! Him and I become close friends during his 1st deployment. He really knew how to make you laugh. He was very caring and compassionate. He will be missed. My prayers go out to Amber, adn this entire family. God Bless you all/ May God surround you all with his unconditional love. Amanda
Posted: Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Article comment by:
Amanda Selvage
Mike was a great guy! Him and I become close friends during his 1st deployment. He really knew how to make you laugh. He was very caring and compassionate. He will be missed. My prayers go out to Amber, and this entire family. God Bless you all/ May God surround you all with his unconditional love.
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