Mike McElfish, a resident of Carson City, formed Save a Soldier's Life in 2007 after learning of the death of his nephew CWO Joshua Robert Rodgers who was killed when his Chinook helicopter was shot down over Afghanistan on May 30, 2007, killing all seven on board. Joshua's death hit “Uncle Mike”, (as he has come to be called by family and friends), especially hard because as he learned the details of the horrific incident it became clear to him that the soldiers on board the Chinook could not return fire for fear of giving away their exact position by the flashes from the muzzles of their weapons. He came to the realization that he, as a machinist, could do something to help see that our military could fire without the telltale muzzle flash if they were equipped with flash suppressors for their rifles.

Uncle Mike found Smith Enterprises a company that manufactures the Vortex Flash Suppressor and entered into an agreement with them that he would machine the blanks for the suppressors and ship them to Smith for the proprietary or patented part of the manufacturing process. In return Smith would give Uncle Mike the suppressors at a greatly reduced price. Uncle Mike would then offer them at no cost to combat units in war zones.

Uncle Mike and his wife Susan are also responsible for a weekly event that takes place in Carson City. Called simply the Red Shirt Walk it is a group of people, with the core made up of the family of CWO Joshua Rodgers, who walk two miles through downtown Carson City every Friday evening wearing red shirts and carrying flags. The group walks not only to honor Joshua, but also to show support for troops currently serving and recognize veterans. The walk was started in July of 2007 and has taken place rain or shine every Friday evening (Saturday afternoon in winter) with very few exceptions ever since. The walk is often joined by the families of other fallen soldiers. It has been my pleasure and honor to join the Red Shirts on many of the walks and their spirit is always an inspiration.

Mike's devotion to the safety of our military serving in combat zones and his heartfelt support of those who currently serve and have served in the past and especially to those who have given their lives in defense of our Country makes him a prime candidate to receive the Society's Scot of the Year Award.