Michael was killed in a roadside bombing in Iraq February 16, 2004 at the age of 23. He would have turned 24 Februay 17, 2004. He will never be forgotten and is sadly missed.

This was taken from the Fallen Heroes Memorial Page...

Michael Merila, 23, of Sierra Vista, Arizona.
Merila died in Talifar, Iraq, when his convoy was hit by an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 1st Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment, Fort Lewis, Washington. Died on February 16, 2004.