Mike was the man. I was a dishwasher at 1249 West when I was in high school. When I left called to tell him I was going to the Marines. He said "You'll make a fine Marine."
But I knew Mike, and I know when we hung up he would have laughed his ass off and said, "The Marines are gonna whoop his little black ass!" Mike is embedded in my memories as well if not more than my drill instructors. I always wanted to run into him again, but unfortunately not. I'll never forget him.