My son, Petty Officer First Class Michael J. Strange was born on June 6, 1986 in Philadelphia.

He attended St. Bartholomew Catholic School in the Wissinoming section of the city. He enjoyed the life of a typical Philadelphia kid surrounded by a loving family and great friends who he stayed close to all of his life. Michael had a great sense of humor and a kind and generous heart. As a little boy he loved spending summers with his dad, brother and sisters in Rehoboth Beach at his grandmothers house where he spent his days fishing and crabbing and playing in the pool.

After graduating from North Catholic High School in June of 2004, Michael joined the United States Navy. After basic training in the Great Lakes he reported to the Naval Technical Training Center in Pensacola FL where he attended Cryptologic Technician (Collection) “A” School. He graduated second in his class.

His first assignment was Naval Information Operations Command (NIOC) in Hawaii. At NIOC, Petty Officer Strange worked in several high profile signals intelligence gathering offices and became a first line supervisor in charge of multiple analysts. He completed a nine month deployment to Iraq with Seal Team TWO. During this deployment he earned the Expeditionary Warfare qualification. After an arduous screening process, Petty Officer Strange volunteered and was selected for duty at Naval Special Warfare Development Group.

Michael was Cryptologic Technician and a highly decorated combat veteran with numerous awards, including the Bronze Star Medal with Valor, Purple Heart Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal with Valor, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation, and other campaign and unit decorations. He was killed in action while serving his country on August 6, 2011.

He is survived by his fiancée, Breanna Hostetler; his mother, Elizabeth Strange, who is a Philadelphia police officer; his father, Charles Strange, Jr.; his brother Charles; his sisters Katelyn and Carly; his niece Juliana Rose; his grandmother Bernice Strange; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and close friends.

As Michael’s father, I have formed Voices For Silent Heroes, a foundation that provides unconditional support and services to the families of recently fallen service members. Our mission is to bring in Gold Star families for a weekend and let the parents talk about the son or daughter they have lost, if they want. We ask what helps them to go on. We tell our experiences through strength and hope. We feel the parents have given enough after such a painful loss, so we pay for everything. When I lost our son, Michael, I could not work and just kept breaking down. The main purpose is to meet other Gold Star parents, so that they know they are not alone.

We welcome you to come and share, helping others and yourself in the process.

You are not alone.
~ Charles Strange, Founder of Michael Strange Foundation
www.michaelstrangefoundation.org/about-michael-2/

We are very grateful to Charles for sharing his personal story and offer our deep condolences for his loss.

God Bless all who serve and keep us safe.

‪#‎FamiliesServeToo‬ ‪#‎SupportOurTroops‬ ‪#‎ComesASoldiersWhisper‬