SGT. Justin B. Allen
September 6, 2020
SPC. Todd M. Bates
September 20, 2020
Associated Press…
…Barkey was a member of the 1484th Transportation Company based in Akron and had been in the service for nearly four years. “We know Michael was there securing freedom for others, and he believed in that very strongly,” his mother said.
John Barkey said his younger brother would send home videos showing him having fun with other soldiers in his unit. “He was always good for helping to get the edge off,” John Barkey said. “No matter how bad things were, he’d make you laugh.”
Michael Barkey played football and basketball at Canal Fulton Northwest High School and earned an associate’s degree in fire technology from the University of Akron. His sister, Therese Barkey, said he wanted to become a firefighter because he enjoyed helping others. “He liked to hang out with his friends, he liked to party, like all boys his age,” she said. “Michael was just waiting to come home, like everyone else over there.”
