Soldier's death propels 'Uncle Mike' into action

When Mike McElfish imagines the final seconds of his nephew's life, the Mound House machine shop owner feels sadness and anger.

He grieves for Chief Warrant Officer 2 Joshua Rodgers, 29, and six other crew members who died May 30 when their CH47 Chinook helicopter was shot down in Afghanistan in a nighttime attack.

McElfish wrestles with the thought that the young soldiers were unable to fire because the flash from their machine guns would give away their position.

"It's quite possible those young men actually saw the terrorist who shot the RPG (rocket-propelled grenade launcher) up into the helicopter. That's a terrible thing for me to think about," McElfish said.

Rodgers' death propelled McElfish into donating Vortex flash suppressors to soldiers in Afghanistan.

Working with Smith Enterprise of Tempe, Ariz., McElfish helps manufacture the devices which are the size of a pack of LifeSavers candy.

So far, he's shipped 25 to Afghanistan with another 100 on order. The price ranges from $32-$55 depending on the weapon.

"In a nutshell, the device just hides the flash," McElfish said. "Anyone who fires their weapon in the dark should have one."

Had his nephew's crew been equipped with the devices, McElfish believes they may have been able to defend themselves before their helicopter plunged 200 feet to the ground killing everyone aboard.

In an e-mail to supporters, McElfish explained his motivation.

"These huge helicopters take on errant ground fire from terrorists on the ground, shooting into the dark sky at the sound of the helicopter, not the sight of it," McElfish said. "Yet the gunners armed with M240 machine guns and night vision goggles cannot return fire. Why? Because their weapon's muzzle flash would give their exact position to the enemy. On the ground, it's the same story."

McElfish began producing blanks for the flash suppressor in 2002.

"Smith Enterprise does the proprietary end of it, the part that's patented," he said.

McElfish is hoping the flash suppressor will be OK'd by the military for a stock number which means soldiers are cleared to purchase the device.

Smith Enterprise sells the flash suppressors to the military for $31 per unit.

"It's cheaper than a body bag," McElfish said.

McElfish doesn't debate whether the suppressor should be standard issue or why soldiers should have to purchase the device on their own.

"That's not the bandwagon I am on," he said. "I see an opportunity to help the troops, to help save lives, and I am asking people to send me whatever they can - the whole amount, or $1 or $2, or set out a change jar. I am saying this is how you can really help our soldiers protect themselves and show your support for the troops."

A tradition was born when McElfish scoured around the machine shop for something to fill up the first shipment.

"I didn't want to stuff it with newspapers, so I found a big bag of candy in a cupboard. It fit perfectly and I shipped off the box. Only later did I realize it was a bag of Lifesavers. From now on, every shipment will include Lifesavers because I consider these life savers," McElfish said.

He needs volunteers to write letters or e-mails to accompany each flash suppressor.

"I want a letter of gratitude and support to each soldier who receives one of these donated units," he said.

McElfish asked that families of other wounded and killed soldiers contact him so donations can be made in their loved one's name.

McElfish said he isn't making any money from the production of the flash suppressors, pledging that all donations will go toward the purchase of the item and the postage. He is absorbing the cost of labor and materials.

"After Josh died, people came up to me and said things like, 'It wasn't your fault,' or, 'There was nothing you could do. Don't feel bad,'" McElfish said.

"I say, 'Don't take that away from me.' That's what drives me. When I wake up, I think about what happened to them and I cry. Then, I get mad. I come flying out of that bed, into that shower and get to work. The sentimentality turns into anger and that is what drives me."

More than 600 people attended Rodgers' funeral June 10 at Douglas High School. He and his wife, Casey Gilder Rodgers, were 1997 Douglas graduates. He was buried at Eastside Memorial Park.

In addition to his wife, Rodgers is survived by three young daughters.

McElfish is "Uncle Mike" to Rodgers' friends and fellow soldiers.

His son, Private E-2 Matthew McElfish, is stationed at Camp Casey in Korea.

"My wife, Josh's mom and their sister were all pregnant at the same time. When the three little boys were born, we lived together for awhile. Josh was a little hyperactive and it was always, 'Uncle Mike, Uncle Mike, Uncle Mike,' until he got my attention," McElfish said. "This is my tribute to him."

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