Date:
13 Jun 2006

Page 4

Thought you might like to see this… This is the poster design for July Jubilee 2006. Our designer picked The Bama Belle as the downtown landmark backdrop for the poster!

Poster ( Click Here )

 Blair Blair Plott Development Associate, Tuscaloosa County Park and Recreation Authority

Remote User:
Date:
24 Jun 2006
Time:
17:41:53

Comments

I just now, today, found out about our beloved friend's passing, just shy above six months ago. I want to say what a pleasure it was to be able to know Mike, or W1AXA, as the ham community knew him. He led an impressive life, and from reading your stories just now, I am even more proud of his awesome accomplishments. The story of the Turtle on the SLO airline brought a big smile to my face. I have a few hours of flight training under my belt, and one day hope to continue, if finances will allow it. I've ridden the Bama Belle twice, and I hope to see it again one day. Thank you Mike, for all you have done for your family, your friends, and even those you will never have known. I will miss you. W1AXA de WX4TCL, 73.

God Bless from Phil D. Mills, Pensacola, Florida (Originally from Tuscaloosa, AL.)

Remote User:
Date:
26 Jun 2006
Time:
21:16:11

Comments

I did not know Mike, but reading the website allows me the pleasures of knowing he touched so many lives. It is such inspiration and to realize his memories live on and on. Thanks for sharing. We need more positive in this negative world of hurt

Remote User:
Date:
27 Jun 2006
Time:
14:28:23

Comments

What a beautiful tribute...I have enjoyed the Bama Belle Cruises many times... especially the 4th of July Cruise with Captain Mike and now look forward to riding again with the new crew...thank you for letting us know about your brother... he will live on in the happy memories he has brought to all...

 

Remote User:
Date:
01 Jul 2006
Time:
18:56:18

Comments

I'm sorry I never got to meet your brother. He sounds like a wonderful person!! Hopefully soon we will enjoy one of his/your special dinner cruises!

Please carry on his dream....... Wanda

 

Remote User:
Date:
01 Jul 2006
Time:
22:43:16

Comments

This is Mike's sister Phyllis. I'd just like to clear something up. I made this website to keep my brother's memory alive and to let everyone know how special he was. His wife Nikki is the one who has kept the Bama Belle running since we lost Mike. She's done a wonderful job through some difficult times and we're ALL very proud of her!

Remote User:
Date:
16 Jul 2006
Time:
14:45:36

Comments

Captain Mike was the biggest hearted man I've met. I met him through my dad, Joel, which was a fellow amateur radio operator. I love the Bama Belle and so happy to see it still up and running. I can't wait to go on another dinner cruise in remembrance of his generosity to me and my family. Best wishes to his family and Bama Belle crew!

Jennifer Henderson

 

Remote User:
Date:
05 Aug 2006
Time:
00:48:41

Comments

I happened upon this tribute to Mike while looking for information on someone with the same name. I want you to know that this is a beautiful website and felt compelled to write. I am so glad that Mike made it through Vietnam and was able to carry out his business dreams and his family life. I have a cousin who died in Vietnam in 1968 and he was 22. Back then I was only 8 but I still see in my mind the sadness of his parents and siblings. I will never forget Vietnam. Whenever I meet anyone who is a Vietnam Veteran (and also WWII), I am so honored to shake their hand and thankful for their service to our country, the United States of America. Every American should be grateful for all our war heroes. It sadness my heart to hear all the talk about the Iraq war. I pray that our soldiers will never be treated with the disrespect and shame displayed after Vietnam. Thank you Captain Mike and to all his family, I pray God blesses you abundantly. Thank you for this tribute.

Remote User:
Date:
10 Aug 2006
Time:
12:53:23

Comments

My brother Kyle has cerebral Palsy, he is limited to a wheelchair, so he couldn't do much. Once my family discovered the BAMA BELLE they decided to take him for a ride on it, he loved it! so we took him again for his 21st birthday~ Kyle had a blast, not just from the wonderful boat ride but from Captain Mike, he was the nicest man. We live in Fosters and every once in a while we would see him at the old corner store and he would recognize us. He was a great man and we thank him and his family for making our ride on the Bama Belle a great experience.

Remote User:
Date:
19 Aug 2006
Time:
22:37:59

Comments

I am so sorry about Captain Mike.

Remote User:
Date:
23 Aug 2006
Time:
16:13:01

Comments

Very nice; not just a commercial web site but a family venture. You are 0bviously a family with unconditional love for one another.

Lyle

Remote User:
Date:
26 Aug 2006
Time:
15:08:06

Comments

My family has taken a couple of cruises with Captain Mike and I recall his enthusiasm and friendliness. He enjoyed what he was doing and he wished all of us did so as well. He is fondly remembered. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. 

Shirin

Remote User:
Date:
14 Sept 2006
Time:
15:08:06

Comments

I was shocked today when I stumbled across the story of Mike’s passing. I have been trying to locate him since the early eighties. I thought he was in the Rhode Island area so I had no luck.

The world lost one hell of a man when Mike left us. I thought he would meet his fate in a flying machine because he so loved soaring above the clouds. I have many wonderful memories of flying with Mike that I will never forget. I remember flying a 1946 Aronica Coupe from Ozark to Lakeland Florida with no radio and only a magnetic compass to navigate and landing someone else’s plane on Gantt lake only to hit a stump and sink the aircraft. I have never met a man that lived life to its fullest and tried to take everyone along with him on his quest.

I loved Mike as everyone who met him did. He was a hell-of –a man!

 I have retired twice...once from the military in ‘87 and once from SAIC in 2000. I’m starting to get old but I still have that spark that Mike instilled in me!

Much Love...Bob Bryant

Remote User:
Date:
20 Sep 2006
Time:
12:46:47

Comments

I'm so glad that I got to meet Mike. The THS 50th Reunion featured a cruise. He was such a cheerful person. He worked with a smile on his face. We should all be so lucky to be able to do that.

 

Remote User:
Date:
12 Jan 2007
Time:
15:08:06

Comments

We'd like to Thank the City of Tuscaloosa for officially naming the landing "Medeiros Point" in honor of Capt Mike!
View the Resolution below. (Click Here)

Photo of Mike's Monument ( Click Here)

Remote User:
Date:
05 June 2007
Time:
15:08:06

Comments

6/5/07
Happy Birthday to my husband, friend, partner in crime.  We all miss you more then words can express. 

Love you forever:)

Nikki, Mint, Sweet Pea, Baby Cat, Jack & Coach (your furry children.)

 

Remote User:
Date:
29 June 2007
Time:
12:46:47

Comments

We received an e-mail and photos from Lynn Collins telling us about a special Xmas in Viet Nam that he and Mike shared with some Orphans. Please click below to see the photos and read his story..
(Click Here)

 

Remote User:
Date:
10 July 2007
Time:
12:46:47

Comments

I had the pleasure of “cruising” one special evening when I took my niece, Angela White on a dinner cruise in celebration of her High School graduation!  Mike made she and I feel very special and added to this significant event in her young life.  He made quite an impression on both of us!! 

Fran (Carver) Wise

 

 

Remote User:
Date:
16 July 2007
Time:
11:40:20

Comments

" Destination Tuscaloosa " has been kind enough to allow us to reprint a story they published on the Bama Belle. If you'd like to read it, ( CLICK HERE )

 

Remote User:
Date:
5 April 2008
Time:
12:46:47

Comments

Hi, I have known Mike since before his service time. He was an older guy playing cards with Danny & Steve Golda,Mike Warren and his other friends down on the corner near Karras' Store across the CFP Community Hall. Drinking cokes and eating burgers and fries. My friends and I would hang around until they let us play or gave us kids the boot. They rode Vespa  motor Scooters from Mr. Roy's Garage. We wanted to be just like them. I delivered the daily paper to Mike's mom's house on Canton Ave and I used to ask about Mike. She'd say he is in the Army now and I saw photos of him in uniform. He was gone to a place called Viet-Nam in Southeast Asia. A lot of time passed and I'd ask, she would say he is still there. The Golda's sold their house on Easton Ave and moved away. Many years went by and I saw Mike at the little red store.He looked different, I guess like a man who had seen a lot for his years. His friendly smile was the same as was his wave.The last time I saw him was around 2001 in CFP shortly before I moved with my wife to Florida, then to North Carolina and finally to Tennessee.
Mike was a good guy and when we would see each other and laugh and wave. I always thought about the early days in CFP before lives changed, first for him then me a few years later. I went into the USMC and then I too became a man with too much on my mind as well. I read about Mike's Tragic accident. A Great man who  had so much more to complete in our short lifetime. Good Bye for now, My Friend, I hope to see you on the other side someday.

PFC Steve Joaquin 3rd Marines Quantico,VA. 1972-75


 

 

Remote User:
Date:
5 June 2008
Time:
11:07:20

Comments

Happy Birthday to my sweet husband.  Miss you so much.
Your wife, Nikki
(Sweet Pea, Jack, Baby Bat & Coach, your furry children miss you too!)

 

 

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Revised: 06 Oct 2008 07:25:57 -0400 .