Specialist Michael L. Gonzalez, 20, of Spotswood, New Jersey, the son of Pedro L. and Ida D. Gonzalez. Michael was a 2006 graduate of Spotswood High School. He was a responsible young man, while in high school he worked at a variety of jobs, while also enjoying skateboarding, paintball, working out and weightlifting. His real dream was to become a police officer, so he attended a junior police academy twice during the summers while in high school. He enlisted in the Army after graduation and completed basic and advanced individual training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, in July 2006. He graduated from the Military Police School in December 2006. He deployed to Iraq in July 2008, as a member of the 340th Military Police Company, Fort Totten, New York. Michael was very proud to serve his country and wished to serve it as a police officer when his enlistment ended. He died of wounds suffered by an improvised explosive device. Michael's military awards and decorations include the Global War on Terrorism ribbon and the Army Service Ribbon. He is survived by his father and mother, Pedro and Ida Leiby Gonzalez, his brother Troy, paternal grandparents Maria and Alberto Gonzalez, his girlfriend Tiffany Loving, a cousin, Jonathan Nourse, and many extended family members and friends. He was predeceased by his maternal grandparents, John B. and Lillian P. Leiby, who both died in 1991. Bio by: Sue

Specialist Michael L. Gonzalez, 20, of Spotswood, New Jersey, the son of Pedro L. and Ida D. Gonzalez. Michael was a 2006 graduate of Spotswood High School. He was a responsible young man, while in high school he worked at a variety of jobs, while also enjoying skateboarding, paintball, working out and weightlifting. His real dream was to become a police officer, so he attended a junior police academy twice during the summers while in high school. He enlisted in the Army after graduation and completed basic and advanced individual training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, in July 2006. He graduated from the Military Police School in December 2006. He deployed to Iraq in July 2008, as a member of the 340th Military Police Company, Fort Totten, New York. Michael was very proud to serve his country and wished to serve it as a police officer when his enlistment ended. He died of wounds suffered by an improvised explosive device. Michael's military awards and decorations include the Global War on Terrorism ribbon and the Army Service Ribbon. He is survived by his father and mother, Pedro and Ida Leiby Gonzalez, his brother Troy, paternal grandparents Maria and Alberto Gonzalez, his girlfriend Tiffany Loving, a cousin, Jonathan Nourse, and many extended family members and friends. He was predeceased by his maternal grandparents, John B. and Lillian P. Leiby, who both died in 1991. Bio by: Sue