Echanis Update
There is another thread here that I've contributed to recently reference MDE.
The Wiki Page about Mike is accurate and referenced. I know. I did most of it.
About 16 months ago now I helped Mike's family sort through a number of things having to do with their son and brother.
Too many myths, lies, "legends" and folks looking to exploit his name and image for their own agendas or profit.
Along with family archives and photos I did the first FOIA for both Mike and Chuck's military records; contacted a number of "OGs" who actually had first hand contact and interaction with Echanis at Bragg, Little Creek and later in NIC; did some traveling for research purposes and did a formal inquiry of the President Carter Library for records / telegram traffic in September 1978.
Thanks to Master Chief Bob Nissley (Retired), who knew Mike well and remains close to the Echanis Family, invaluable documentation was recovered to include the U.S. embassy (Managua) documentation and NIC GOV documentation beginning on September 8, 1978, when the aviation crash occurred near Lake Nicaragua.
Echanis was inducted into the 2013 Black Belt Hall of Fame last year.
The family is giving consideration to have a legacy book about Mike done, family authorized, to set the record straight once and for all.
Below image is of the Presidential Certificate sent to the Family in February 1979 by then President Jimmy Carter. It commemorates Echanis' service to the nation in the Armed Forces. Such certificates are very, very rare - especially for someone who was not in the Service at the time of his passing - but - as others know - was definitely still in the game.
Image first published in Black Belt Magazine, August/September 2013.
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"Do not look upon this world with fear and loathing. Bravely face whatever the gods offer." - Morihei Ueshiba, Founder of Aikido
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