After graduating from Bowsher High School in Toledo, Merles completed Basic Training at Fort Jackson, South Carollina and has served in Fort Carson, Colorado, Kaiserslautern, Germany, Hunter Army Airfield, Savannah, Georgia, Columbus, and now in Findlay.

Michael is the son of Jerilyn Ellis, Cleveland and the late Michael D.
Merles. His daughter Diamond, 8 and son Michael III, 4, live in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Merles explains he enlisted for the opportunity to better himself and establish a career. He looked up to others who have served and wanted to make his family proud.

His childhood neighbor, Martell Gibbs, has been a mentor and inspiration to Merles. "Due to the passing of my father, he guided me on the right path and instilled values in me that set me apart from my peers".

"I feel that enlisting in the military isn't for everyone-but you never know until you get the information first hand." He goes on to say, "I never thought about enlisting until his junior year in high school....I realized the difference between military and civilian lifestyles and determined that life in the Army was not only better for me, it was better for my family as well."

He goes on to say that making a difference by mentoring and teaching others, and those who may need a father figure, as he did, is an added value he never expected. Providing those opportunities makes all his long hours and hard work worthwhile.

"In our country, less than 1% of Americans serve in the military. Being part of that 1%, I have realized that the freedom we enjoy is, in fact, not free".

When he retires from the military, Michael is interested in pursuing a career in real estate, refurbishing and "flipping" houses and other business ventures. In his spare time, he likes to play basketball and spend time with his family.

If you would like to nominate a Serviceman of the month, please contact Findlay Living Magazine at (419) 420-9327 or email us at stories@findlayliving.com