Mickey joined the Army on Aug. 10, 1995, shortly after his high school graduation and four weeks after his 18th birthday. He lived in Eden Prairie for the first years of his life before moving to Brooklyn Park. His mother later returned and still resides in Eden Prairie, just down the road from the memorial site.

Sgt. 1st Class Mickey E. Zaun, 27, was a chemical operations specialist with the U.S. Army Special Operations Command at Fort Bragg, N.C. He died on Jan. 28, 2005, from injuries sustained during a collision between two armored vehicles in Mosul, Iraq.

While he served, he racked up an impressive series of awards and decorations, including two Bronze Star Medals, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Korean Defense Service Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Master Parachutist Badge and the Driver and Mechanic Badge, and the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, which was presented posthumously.

His military education included the Jumpmaster Course, the Basic Airborne Course, the Defense Hazardous Material Course, the Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course, the Primary Leadership Development Course and the Chemical Operations Specialist Course.