Justin Todd Michel, a 17-year veteran of the US Army, is remembered in West Point where he grew up as a good football player and the local paper boy where he continued to excel in everything he did.
His military career is following the same pattern.
Michel was recently promoted to major. Michel, a member of the Rangers and a member of the Special Forces has been deployed to Iraq twice spending one tour of duty with the Special Forces and another as captain and commander of his own unit. Michel's unit suffered only one person injured during his time as commander. His unit was then disbanded and Michel became commander of "The Old Guard" at Arlington National Cemetery where he oversaw up to 13 veteran funerals per day.
The 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment, "The Old Guard," is the Army's oldest active Infantry Regiment and is the Army's premiere ceremonial unit and escort to the President of the United States.
Michel is the son of Joey Michel of Meridian, and Faye Michel of Lauderdale. He is the grandson of the late Joe Michel of Meridian and the late Parker Gray of Lauderdale and Sallie Gray, a resident of Golden Living Center in Meridian.
After graduating from West Point High School, Michel attended Northeast Community College for two years on a football scholarship. He then enrolled at Mississippi State University where he earned a Bachelor's Degree in Sociology. He is currently stationed at Ft. Leavonworth, Kansas where he continuing his education, working on his Master's Degree in Sociology.
In other military news, US Air Force Airman Dominique Adams graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.
The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.
Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.
He is the son of Barbara Adams of Lizzie Road, Meridian, Miss.
Adams is a 2009 graduate of Southeast Lauderdale High School, Meridian.
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Soldier receives promotion
Another local soldier graduates basic training
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Local law enforcement officials honored
State Rep. Greg Snowden said he remembered as a child looking up to those "men in blue."
He said police officers in uniform were larger than life, riding in their patrol cars and carrying guns to protect and serve the population. Today, he said he is still in great admiration of the men and women who put their lives on the line every day so that citizens can feel safe. -
MPD probes vehicle crash
Evidence of a mother's desperate attempt to save her children from harm were spread all over a car lot — and could be seen on her as well in the form of bruises, cuts and scrapes.
Tuesday night, a vehicle with three children inside crashed through a plate glass showroom floor window damaging four new cars and totaling the vehicle the children were in. -
Skeleton found in residence
Members of the forensics team of the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation (MBI) were called to a dilapidated home in Chunky to probe the discovery of a skeleton.
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Police search for robbery suspects
Two men who reportedly robbed a woman at gunpoint in the parking lot of a local bank are still being sought.
Mike Vick, public information officer with the Meridian Police Department, said the two men approached a woman about 8 p.m. Tuesday at the ATM of Regions Bank on North Hills Street. Vick said one of the suspects was armed with a handgun and after taking an undetermined amount of cash and the victim's car keys, the two suspects fled on foot. -
City cuts payment to Watkins
The Meridian City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to cut their monthly payment to David Watkins, project developer of Meridian's new police station, by $9,999 until work resumes on the project.
The order, made during the Meridian City Council meeting Tuesday morning, included a mutual agreement between the councilmen and Watkins to reduce the project developer's monthly consultant fee of $10,000 to $1, effective Tuesday. -
Crews work on gasoline pipeline
If you hear a loud, booming sound early today, between 4 a.m.-10 a.m., there is no cause for alarm.
Workers with Plantation Pipeline will be performing maintenance work on their 30-foot gasoline pipeline in the Meridian area to accommodate the widening of Highway 493. The location of the work activity will be at Highway 493 North and Oak Hill Baptist Church, just inside the city limits. -
Team Spirit
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High Honor
The flowers and balloons Crestwood Elementary School Principal Kimberly Kendrick received at school Monday were not an early Valentines' Day gift.
Kendrick has been named Meridian Public School District's 2012 Administrator of the Year – an announcement that both surprised and wowed the 17-year veteran educator when made by MPSD Superintendent Dr. Alvin Taylor. -
Master Dance Class
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Digital system promises better communication
Hopefully in the near future you won't hear someone in the emergency services ask over the radio, "Can you hear me now?"
A digital communications system, one which is being pushed by the Federal Communication Commission (FCC), is a few months away and, in some cases, is already in the testing phase in Lauderdale County. - More Local News Headlines
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