Elmsford Soldier Dies in Iraq

[Guest hoss]

My thoughts and prayers go to the family and friends of Michael Arciola and everyone he touched in Elmsford and WC communities.

Elmsford soldier dies in Iraq

By JOSEPH AX AND SUSAN ELAN 

THE JOURNAL NEWS 

(Original publication: February 17, 2005)

ELMSFORD — Even as a child, Michael Arciola spoke admiringly of joining the military. As a student at Alexander Hamilton High School, he often told friends of his intention to serve his country, and his lifelong dream became reality when he enlisted in the Army after graduating in 2003.

On Tuesday, the 20-year-old from Elmsford, who charmed those he met with an easygoing temperament and a sharp sense of humor, died after suffering a gunshot wound Monday in Iraq, according to friends and relatives.

At the Arciolas' two-story home, which is in a quiet residential neighborhood off Main Street, friends paid their respects throughout the day. Outside the front door, a thin strand of black ribbon — hanging from a yellow ribbon honoring the armed forces — twisted in the wind. 

Arciola's parents, his two sisters and his brother learned of his death early yesterday morning, said Mayor Robert Williams, who visited the family's home after hearing the news. 

Casey Arciola, Michael's sister, declined to comment on behalf of her mother, Teresa, and two siblings, Robert and Amanda, saying the family still was too upset to discuss Michael's death. Michael's father, Robert, who is divorced from Teresa and is recovering from surgery at a Greenburgh rehabilitation home, also declined to comment yesterday evening at the home, where he was mourning with friends and relatives. 

Yesterday, friends of the good-natured Arciola portrayed him as a lively, down-to-earth young man who exhibited both ordinary teenage interests and an extraordinary determination to fight on behalf of his native land. 

"This is what he wanted to do," Andrew Magsino, 19, one of Arciola's childhood companions and a fellow graduate of Alexander Hamilton High School, said as he headed to the Arciolas' home to offer condolences. "He didn't really have fear. He said he wanted to fight for our country." 

In a sense, friends described Arciola as a study in contrasts, a young man who combined a light-hearted approach to life with a strong sense of responsibility and a powerful work ethic. In high school, he spent his leisure time the way any teenager does — he hung out with friends, went to the mall, watched a few movies and played basketball during the summer. But he also possessed a deep resolve that served him as well on the field and in the classroom as it would in the military. 

"There are not many high school kids with the dedication Michael had," said Kevin Budzynski, who coached Arciola in baseball and soccer. "He was a very good athlete, and no one worked harder. In preparation for baseball season, he would go out at 6:30 a.m. in February to run to get in shape." 

He leavened that self-discipline with "an amazingly wicked sense of humor," Budzynski said. "He could break the ice in a tense situation. He had a very light side to him." 

Throughout his senior year, Arciola spoke unwaveringly of joining the Army following graduation day. 

"He seemed to have a real sense of respect for it," said Brian Jones, 23. Jones and his brother, Stephen, 20, one of Arciola's classmates, grew up with the Arciola brothers on the same street. 

But Arciola also had made plans for his eventual discharge from the forces, said Budzynski, who had him over for dinner in late January when he was home for a short leave from duty in Iraq. 

"He talked about going to college when he got out of the military," Budzynski said. "He was considering studying to become a physician's assistant or a teacher." 

Despite his single-minded sense of purpose, some of his closest friends described him as a carefree guy who could manage to elicit a smile from virtually anyone. 

"No matter what was going on, he could come into a room and get people laughing," Brian Jones said. "He was one of these truly good people. He had an intoxicating personality." 

"He was the coolest person you'd ever meet," said Chrissey Silano, 19, who graduated with Arciola. "He got along with everybody." 

As news traveled the halls of Alexander Hamilton High School yesterday, teachers and students who had known Arciola comforted one another, said Debra Lawrance, president of the Elmsford Board of Education, whose son, Donald, also graduated with Arciola. 

"I loved him like my own son," she said. "He was a wonderful young man who was full of life. He had a great smile and was very determined. He had such spirit and drive." 

Though he knew the risks inherent in a tour of duty in Iraq and witnessed firsthand the horrors of guerrilla warfare, friends said he never showed any signs of fear or doubt about his course. 

"He said he had been dodging bullets and saw people in his unit die," said Carl Sartori, 17, who played baseball at Alexander Hamilton when Arciola was the team's captain. "He didn't sound scared. He was proud to serve. He was a great role model." 

The mayor said he already has extended the services of the village to the family for a memorial procession. 

"It's just a horrible tragedy," said Williams, a longtime friend of Arciola's father. "Elmsford is a very close-knit community, and everybody knows everybody. The entire village is going to be with the Arciola family." 

Details of Arciola's death remained sketchy last night, and the family did not confirm his rank or division. The military does not release information regarding deaths for 24 hours after the family is notified. 

Memorial plans have not been finalized. At Alexander Hamilton today, counselors will be available to speak with grieving students, Williams said.