Michael M. Kashkoush slain by sniper

CHAGRIN FALLS -- Word came down Thursday that the third serviceman from our area has died in as many days.

The latest causality, 24-year old Sgt. Michael Kashkoush, is from Chagrin Falls, and graduated from CFHS in 2001.

The U.S. Department of Defense reports he died January 23rd from wounds received in Iraq's Al Anbar province.

Mark Iammarino was his high school history teacher and coach. Just hours after word came down, his students started talking.

"I've heard it already today, students want to know who he was, what he was like, what he did, and look at his pictures in the yearbook," Iammarino said.

What they'll hear are stories of a bright but quiet alum.

"Mike was one that just about everyone on the staff knew," said Chagrin superintendent David Axner.

He helped take the football and wrestling teams to winning seasons, then graduated and enlisted in the Marines.

"He seemed like a kid where that [the military] would appeal to him. Discipline of military, and possibility to represent the country," Iammarino said.

He was a member of the 3rd Intelligence Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force, based in Okinawa, Japan--before taking position in Iraq.

From WKYC