06 Sep 2005 I grew up with a Mike Synod in Detroit, in the 1950's. (I was born in 1950 in Detroit, so he would have been my age and in my class at Von Steuben School - I suspect this man honored here is the Mike Synod I knew). I felt a kinship and strong attraction to him from the beginning. He, like most boys of that age, didn't have any interest in girls. His younger brother (Danny? In the first grade, at the time) liked me. I walked him home from school one day and Mike was sitting on the porch when we got there. He saw how much his brother liked me, and saw that I was sensitive to his feelings. He loved his brother so much, from then on Mike was especially nice to me. I actually became attracted to and started dating a boy in high school (in California) because he bore such a strong resemblence to Mike. I'm heartbroken to know that he's gone, at such a young age. I often wondered what had happened to him. I will always remember him as a beautiful person. May God rest his soul. From an old schoolmate, Nance Parry honestyblaize@yahoo.com

 

17 Feb 2006 I am Mike's younger sister, we were only a year a part. He was a wonderful brother, always very protective of his little sister and always watching over me, the way big brothers do. I always looked up to him and he was so loved by our family and was very close to us, especially to my Mom. When he went off to war my Dad was very proud having a Marine for a son and we never expected his life to end at the young age of 18. We often wonder what he would have become but God is the one that gives life and takes life and for this reason it was sadly his time. We all (Johnny, Jimmy, Ann, Robert, my Mom and me) miss him every day and pray that somewhere out there in the jungle of Vietnam he met Jesus and he is home with him right now. I will always be blessed that he was my brother and although he was a strong and brave Marine he was still a warm and sensitive man who fought for all our freedoms. Thanks to all of you that shared with us about knowing Mike. Forever in our hearts Denise Denise Chmiel repent337@cox.net

 

11 Nov 2006 Mike is the only person I actually knew who is on the Wall. I lived in Roseville, Michigan when Mike went in the service. When I see the Wall I always go to visit Mike. God took him home before we really got to do a lot of stuff together, but we were good aquaintances. I attended Mike's funeral at the big Greek Orthodox church in Detroit. What a sad day for all of us, it was. I used to see Mike's brother Johnny once in a while, but it's been years now. I think of them both, often. Today being Veterans day, and I attended another Michgan soldier's funeral, really brought Mike's memory back. I guess I'll never forget him, and the sacrifice that he and his family made, so that we can all enjoy freedom. From an old friend of Mike and his brother Johnny, David Bailey 30104 North Cobus Drive, Elkhart, In 46514 dirtbikepgr@comcast.net

 

A Note from The Virtual Wall On 01 Nov 1968, during Operation HENDERSON HILL, the 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, lost seven men near Thu Bon (1) on Go Noi Island: E Company: Pfc Dieter R. Vater, La Mesa, CA H Company: 1stLt John C. White, Dayton, OH (Silver Star) Cpl Stanley M. Harrell, Miami, FL LCpl William J. Morrison, Middleboro, MA HN Larry T. Waltz, Harrisburg, PA, H&S w/ Hotel 2/5 Pfc Norman G. Cates, Rochelle, IL Pfc Michael J. Synod, Detroit, MI

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