Tributes

SGT. Micah I. Spires, age 28, of Society Drive in Conway, died Thursday, September 30, 2004 at Ft. Campbell, KY. SGT. Spires was born in Atlanta, GA, a son of Tonya Spires. He enlisted in the US Army on July 10, 1994 and reported to Ft. Sill, OK for basic training as a field artillery forward observer. Upon completeing training at Ft. Sill, he was assigned to 1st Battalion, 9th Field Artillary Regiment at Ft. Stewart, GA and quickly attained the rank of Sergeant. In 1996, he was nominated by his Chain of Command to attend the US Military Academy Preparatory School in Ft. Monmouth, NJ. After successful completion of a year of rigorous academic work, he secured an appointment to the acedemy and entered as a member of the Class of 2001. After more than two successful years as a cadet, SGT Spires was forced to leave West Point due to complications arising from a back injury sustained while playing rugby. After a period to convalesce, he re-entered Active Duty military service as a combat medic. As a medic, SGT Spires was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 187th infantry Regiment while the battalion was in Baghdad, Iraq. For nine months, he served as a senior line medic in the battalion as they conducted daily patrols in the Ninevah Province of Northern Iraq. Redeploying from Iraq in January 2004, SGT Spires was assigned as a Squad Leader in the battalion's medical platoon where he continued to lead soldiers with unmatched passion and selfless care for others until his untimely death. SGT Micah Spires' military awards and decorations include the Combat Medic Badge, the Army Commendation Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, and the Global War on Terror Expeditionary Medal. He was very proud to serve his country, and was a 1994 graduate of Conway High School. Surviving in addition to his mother of Conway are his grandfather Frank Spires and his wife Lynn of Conway; one uncle Gregory Spires and his wife Leeny of Dorchester; one aunt Che' Martin and her husband Stony of Goose Creek; one niece AnnaJane Martin and a nephew Daniel Martin both of Goose Creek; several close aunts, uncles and cousins. Funeral services will be held 2:00 PM Sunday from Trinity United Methodist Church with Rev. Carl Hunsucker officiating. Burial with full military honors, will follow in Hillcrest Cemetery, directed by Goldfinch Funeral Home, Conway Chapel The family will receive friends fom 6-8 PM Saturday at the funeral home. Memorials may be sent to the Horry County Animal Shelter, 2101 Industrial Park Rd., Conway, SC 29526 or to Trinity United Methodist Church, 198 Long Avenue, Conway, SC 29526.

Tributes

Micah Izaak Spires

September 30, 2004