or redistributed. Three Ismaili Muslims were members of parliament, down one from 2019, and State Minister for Peace Sadat Mansoor Naderi is also an Ismaili Muslim. Home Haller Motorworx & Farm Equipment Magazine, AR 479 969-6464 By June 21, 2022 springhill elementary school calendar on michael monsoor funeral June 21, 2022 springhill elementary school calendar on michael monsoor funeral Posted by 7 years ago. Did you get that sense? The 610-foot, 15,000 ton USS Michael Monsoor is the U.S. Navy's second Zumwalt-class guided missile destroyer and named after fallen Navy SEAL. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. You record a conversation that George told you he had with Michael. Fausone: Go ahead and set us up for what happened on September 29, 2006 when Michael and three other snipers were there. Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines, fighting together. Summary of eRumor:The eRumor describes the funeral of Navy petty officer Mike Monsoor, who lost is own life in Iraq to save the lives of other Navy SEALs. The following month, his rating changed from Quartermaster to Master-at-Arms, and he was assigned to SEAL Team 3 Delta Platoon. This was a fitting send-off for a warrior hero. For this brave action, he earned a Silver Star. Naval Auxiliary Landing Field San Clemente Island. It's so painful, but George knew his son was set to do this, was set to go to this war-torn area and he wasn't afraid. He's heading into his 20th year of service this summer. I mean, you can imagine Michael who gave everything he had to have to hang up and quit and ring that bell and be viewed by all of his classmates as a quitter. Mission and Vision. Rose, thanks for bringing this story to life and adding it to the library of literature on Medal of Honor recipients. The slaps were reportedly heard across the cemetery. ALTHOUGH ONLY HE COULD HAVE ESCAPED THE BLAST, PETTY OFFICER MONSOOR CHOSE INSTEAD TO PROTECT HIS TEAMMATES. At his funeral in San Diego, California, SEALs lined up on both sides of the route of the pallbearers and loudly slapped gold tridents from their uniforms on the wooden casket as a . You talk in the book about how he got into sports - hockey and football - and pushed himself to overcome this medical challenge. STEVE INSKEEP, host: The White House is about to bestow the highest military award on a Navy SEAL from Southern California. His leadership, guidance and decisive actions during 11 different combat operations saved the lives of his teammates, other Coalition Forces and Iraqi Army soldiers. Most notably, the Army Infantry, Navy SEAL and Iraqi Army combined force helped to pacify the most violent city in Al Anbar province setting conditions for the Sunni Awakening. Instantly and without regard for his own . Commander, Navy Installations Command | 716 Sicard Street SE Suite 1000 | Washington DC, 20374-5140 Official U.S. Navy Website Copyright 2018 by Legal Help for Veterans, PLLC They got him evacuated off the rooftop, and got him as fast as they could back to base, but that's where he passed away. They were providing overwatch security while joint and combined forces were conducting missions in the area. Most of you probably have never heard of it, and we're going to tell it a little bit because Rose went through talking to all of his buddies in the Navy. Delta Platoon was sent to . Michael Monsoor is a hero for all the world to know about and appreciate. In fact, he would continue to agree to do more. All of the older guys get fun jobs. The U.S. Navy's newest vessel, a guided-missile destroyer named the USS Michael Monsoor (DDG-1001), commissioned on January 27, 2019. It was the Army, the first of the 506 Battalion. This electronic book is available for free download and printing from www.homeofheroes.com. Fausone: Another person in the book that I think reflects Michael's character is Father Halladay. He attended Catholic Mass devotionally before operations, and often spoke lovingly of his family - his older brother, a police officer and former Marine for whom he held great respect; his sister, a nurse; and his younger brother, a college football player. As we approach the Anniversary of Mikey's sacrifice, I want to tell you about this man. Rea: I think that is one of my favorite parts because even thinking about writing those words. He chose them. Monsoor enlisted in the United States Navy in 2001 and graduated from Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training in 2004. From there, God willing, I had the connections because I was a SEAL wife and I was able to reach out to Naval Special Warfare and they put me in touch with Michael's parents. [2] His father also served in the United States military as a Marine. Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael A. Monsoor had been near the only door to the rooftop structure Sept. 29 when the grenade hit him in the chest and bounced to the floor, said four SEALs who spoke to The Associated Press this week on condition of anonymity because their work requires their identities to remain secret. They were providing overwatch security while joint and combined forces were conducting missions in the area. During the battle, a grenade bounced off Monsoors chest and landed on the roof. The name of Petty Officer Michael Anthony Monsoor will now be among them. Margaret Louise Monsoor, our loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and friend passed away in her sleep on August 8, 2021. BY HIS UNDAUNTED COURAGE, FIGHTING SPIRIT, AND UNWAVERING DEVOTION TO DUTY IN THE FACE OF CERTAIN DEATH, PETTY OFFICER MONSOOR GALLANTLY GAVE HIS LIFE FOR HIS COUNTRY, THEREBY REFLECTING GREAT CREDIT UPON HIMSELF AND UPHOLDING THE HIGHEST TRADITIONS OF THE UNITED STATES NAVAL SERVICE. And even the siblings of course, because they don't know all the operations he went on either. The President of the United States in the name of The Congress takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to. [5][6], Monsoor enlisted in the United States Navy on March 24, 2001, and attended Basic Training at Recruit Training Command Great Lakes, Illinois. An official website of the United States government, VA Vet Center (Supports vets, service members, and their families), Bush Confers Highest Military Decoration on Fallen Navy SEAL, Navy SEAL to Receive Medal of Honor Posthumously, Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil. Ramadi had been a violent and intense area for a very strong and aggressive insurgency for some time. Mike and his platoon operated in a highly contested part of Ramadi city called the Ma'laab district. He immediately leapt to his feet and yelled "grenade" to alert his teammates of impending danger, but they could not evacuate the sniper hide-sight in time to escape harm. Thank you so much for having me and for filling your listeners in a little bit. I had no idea. Monica Hellstrm; THE RESCUE Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, Jimmy Chin, John Battsek, P. J. van . - Source On September 29, 2006, Michael Monsoor and three SEAL snipers watched vigilantly for enemy activity from a rooftop post in Ar Ramadi, Iraq. On September 29, 2006, an insurgent threw a grenade onto a rooftop where Monsoor and several other SEALs and Iraqi soldiers were positioned. A warship that proudly bears his name. ELEMENT SNIPERS THWARTED THE ENEMY'S INITIAL ATTEMPT BY ELIMINATING TWO INSURGENTS. I don't think any of us can sit back and think oh it's so easy for everyone else, but it's hard for us to see past our own difficulty sometimes. Funeral. I was part of their community. After further training he was assigned to Delta Platoon, SEAL Team 3. Multiple times that we shared in the book. Actually, there is a neat little memorial section in the back of the book that, yes there are these incredible memorials to him, but what I thought to point out is that the most powerful memorials right now are of all the sons of the brothers he saved who were named after him. There was only one access point for entry or exit and Monsoor was the only one who could have saved himself from harm. Master-at-Arms 2nd Class (SEAL) Michael A. Monsoor was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for diving onto a grenade to save his teammates in Ar Ramadi, Iraq, on September 29, 2006. He placed him in a small, confined sniper hide-sight between two SEAL snipers on an outcropping of the roof, which allowed the three SEALs maximum coverage of the area. Market data provided by Factset. A Navy SEAL sacrificed his life to save his comrades by throwing himself on top of a grenade Iraqi insurgents tossed into their sniper hideout, fellow members of the elite . He was a loyal friend and exceptional SEAL, and he is sorely missed by his brothers in Task Unit Bravo. You tell the story of Michael improving himself and getting through BUD/S. He wanted him, and to make sure anyone else who wanted to would get home, so he stayed. The Navy's newest Zumwalt-class destroyer, USS Michael Monsoor (DDG 1001), was commissioned Jan. 26 at Naval Air Station North Island, California. Don't consider yourself a loser. Praying for the loved ones of the fallen this weekend especially. Fausone: And he gave them a gift, just like he gave a lot of people who have heard the story this gift. Michael fought and fought and fought, even since he was little, to beat his ailment. The Moving Funeral of Petty Officer Mike Monsoor-Truth! Monsoor was engaged in a firefight in Ramadi when, according to the military report, he and another SEAL pulled a team member shot in the leg to safety while bullets pinged off the ground around them., On 29 September (2006), Monsoor was part of a sniper overwatch security position in eastern Ramadi, Iraq, with three other SEALs and eight Iraqi soldiers. During their deployment, Mike and his fellow SEALS came under enemy attack on 75 percent of their missions. However, I was patient but I just kept nudging and saying this is such a profound story. The vessel was adrift in the Gulf of Aden for three days due to an engine. You quit. In the early morning, insurgents prepared to execute a coordinated attack by reconnoitering the area around the element's position. As I look at this picture, I hear a voice in a humble but confident tone. As someone that had the pleasure of knowing Mikey as a friend, and had the honor of serving with him on the battlefield, this photograph tells me a story. He was a member of the elite branch of the Navy called SEALS, which stands for SEa, Air and Land. They are willing to go to the ends of the Earth. 190126-N-XN177-1481 SAN DIEGO (Jan. 26, 2019) The crew of the Zumwalt-class guided-missile destroyer USS Michael Monsoor (DDG 1001) brings the ship to life during its commissioning ceremony, Jan. 26, 2019. Fausone: Again, it's one of those things that demonstrates his character. Rea: Well, they're super private, so even the children are not a big fan of media and they didn't want to really be involved in this book at the time. So the majority of the platoon will get ready, they'll pack up, they'll get things on their containers to head home and they'll start getting ready to phase out and the new team will come back in. On September 29, 2006, in the war-torn city of Ramadi, Iraq, Petty Officer Second Class (SEAL) Michael Monsoor, or Mikey as we called him, smothered a grenade with his body to save three of his teammates. Anticipating further attacks, Monsoor, three SEAL snipers and three Iraqi Army soldiers took up a rooftop position. His sacrifice has not gone unnoticed. It's still hard for the men he saved - I would say 100% they feel a sense of guilt. Two other SEALs next to him at the time were injured by the explosion but survived. He was at SEAL Team 3 when they commissioned this absolutely breathtaking missile-guided destroyer - they call it a super stealth missile-guided destroyer - that was named after Michael Monsoor. What we do have preserved in the book are all those stories she shared, gems, so many she hadn't shared with the world. I think Michael probably got some of his good leadership principles from following along Lieutenant Commander Willink. The other thing, not everyone's going to understand the gravity of this, but he was a new guy. EVERETT One of the Navy's newest destroyers paid a visit to Puget Sound this weekend. AS ENEMY ACTIVITY INCREASED, PETTY OFFICER MONSOOR TOOK POSITION WITH HIS MACHINE GUN BETWEEN TWO TEAMMATES ON AN OUTCROPPING OF THE ROOF. Requiescate in pace. Words seem insufficient to recognize him as the most honorable, decent, unselfish, brave man who gave his life to save others. During Operation Kentucky Jumper, a combined Coalition battalion clearance and isolation operation in southern Ar Ramadi, he served as automatic weapons gunner in a combined SEAL and Iraqi Army (IA) sniper overwatch element positioned on a residential rooftop in a violent sector and historical stronghold for insurgents. Descripcin. His funeral in Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego was attended by nearly every SEAL on the West Coast, President Bush said. Naval Air Station North Island. PO2 (EOD2) Mike Monsoor, a Navy Seal, was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor posthumously for jumping on a grenade in Iraq, giving his life to save his fellow Seals. For those of us who were there, that picture of Mike captures all of this. Some sort of bonding and love of your fellow man deepens in those situations. Fausone: There are a number of lessons, and I think we hold these men who receive the Medal of Honor so highly that we can learn some lessons. SAN DIEGO - The Navy's newest Zumwalt-class destroyer, USS Michael Monsoor (DDG 1001), was commissioned Jan. 26 at Naval Air Station North Island.. Twenty gold star families and four Medal of Honor recipients witnessed the Navy's second Zumwalt-class destroyer enter the fleet. He bore the weight without a single complaint, even in the midst of the 130 degree Western Iraqi summer. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. [21][22][23], Michael Monsoor is mentioned in the book of Rorke Denver "Damn Few: Making the Modern SEAL Warrior".[24]. But there was more of a story there. Let's let certain things be, right? [11] Monsoor became the fourth American servicemember and second Navy SEAL each killed in the line of duty to receive the United States' highest military award during the War on Terrorism. Click to read President Bush's full speech at Monsoor's Medal of Honor ceremony. I and the other members of SEAL Team Three, Task Unit Bruiser, had the honor of participating in the commissioning ceremony. JN-052022-5602908. Although only he could have escaped the blast, Petty Officer Monsoor chose instead to protect his teammates. I enlisted because of people like him, because of people who are willing to fight and die for their fellow man. We're his siblings, just let us be. I know why Michael continued to foster this relationship. The Mountain Warfare Training Facility Camp Michael Monsoor is located 50 miles east of San Diego, near the city of Campo. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. "And when it was all over, the simple wooden coffin had become a gold-plated memorial to a hero who will never be forgotten.. A couple of other things that I think go to his character, which ultimately leads to him making the ultimate sacrifice, his commanding officer in Ramadi in the Spring of 2006 was Lieutenant Commander Jocko Willink. But we fight onfor the men to our left and rightwe fight on. Though he carried himself in a calm and composed fashion, he constantly led the charge to bring the fight to the enemy. The new guys still can do some fun things, but for him to step into this role and provide such wonderful, tactical awareness and to do his job so well, it was just a huge, huge testament to him throwing himself in and giving his all. Petty Officer Monsoor was the Platoon Machine Gunner of an overwatch element, providing security for an Iraqi Army Brigade during counter-insurgency operations. I met Mike Monsoor when he checked into SEAL Team Three as a new, highly-motivated young frogman. Just like Marine Corps Sgt Rafael Peralta before him he jumped on a grenade to save the lives of the other Navy Seals in his snipers nest:. Copyright 2023 Navy SEALs. Upon graduation from basic training, he attended Master At Arms "A" School. [12][13], For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy as Platoon Machine Gunner in Sea, Air, Land Team THREE (SEAL-3), Naval Special Warfare Task Group Arabian Peninsula, Task Unit Ramadi, in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM on 9 May 2006. AS ENEMY ACTIVITY INCREASED, PETTY OFFICER MONSOOR TOOK POSITION WITH HIS MACHINE GUN BETWEEN TWO TEAMMATES ON AN OUTCROPPING OF THE ROOF. More importantly, how different groups whether it be at Fort Campbell or at Pendleton or in Norfolk, at churches, how wanted to make sure his name and his story in his sacrifice continued on. Rea: Jim, I was able to interview the childhood friend, who also became a SEAL which is so cool - behind-the-scenes little tidbit there. The symbolic display moved many, included Bush, who during his speech in April's Medal of Honor ceremony spoke about the incident. During the service, as Monsoor's coffin was taken from the hearse to the gravesite, Navy SEALs lined up in two columns. WHAT RUDDERLESS MILLENNIALS COULD LEARN FROM NAVY SEAL MICHAEL MONSOOR -- WHO GAVE HIS LIFE FOR OTHERS. The Navy has operated on the 1,300 plus acres since the early 1960s, and is seeking to set aside an additional 4,486 acres of federal . So I thought it was a nice touch to add that all in. The ship honors Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael Monsoor, a Navy SEAL who was posthumously awarded the Medal of . Rea: It's so true. The future USS Michael Monsoor, named for Michael Monsoor, a Navy SEAL who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in Ramadi, Iraq, on September. Twenty Gold Star families and four Medal of Honor recipients witnessed the second Zumwalt-class destroyer enter the fleet. Imperial Beach Outlying Landing Field. [1] He enlisted in the United States Navy in 2001 and graduated from Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL Training BUD/S class 250 in 2004. The Navy has its own traditions. It is a city devastated by war. It's not always a religious thing, sometimes it's just that you have somebody safe you can express your fears with. They were down below, I think they're reinforcing some fencing with security measures and whatnot and then Michael and the other SEALs were on rooftops. They really didn't - it was definitely something. I've met him and interviewed him and now I get it. Through this ship: Michael Monsoor will still represent the very best our country has to offer. Duval's Top 10 September real estate: Queen's Harbour Colonial goes for $3.5 million. They flew him back over to do the honors. [18], A SEAL training facilitylocated about 50 miles (80km) east of San Diegowas renamed Mountain Warfare Training Camp Michael Monsoor. LATEST NEWS The 40th Annual San Francisco Fleet Week Begins. Ramadi had been a violent and intense area for a very strong . I've done a lot of projects. Your parents and family are also remembered, as they too have borne the pain of your absence. Monsoor died approximately 30 minutes later from wounds sustained from the blast. Positioned next to the single exit, Monsoor was the only one who could have escaped harm. Fausone:Yes and it's a huge honor. One of the lessons here that I think folks learned, and it's kind of interesting, is Michael had asthma as a kid and had to overcome all the medical challenges that go through childhood when you can't breathe when you have an asthma problem. Ismaili community leaders continued to report concerns about what they called the exclusion of Ismailis from other positions of political authority. A brotherhood bound by sweat and blood and tears. I love my country, my fellow SEALs, and the men fighting alongside us. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. His face is calm, almost smilingdespite the obvious chaos and danger around him. BY HIS UNDAUNTED COURAGE, FIGHTING SPIRIT, AND UNWAVERING DEVOTION TO DUTY IN THE FACE OF CERTAIN DEATH, PETTY OFFICER MONSOOR GALLANTLY GAVE HIS LIFE FOR HIS COUNTRY, THEREBY REFLECTING GREAT CREDIT UPON HIMSELF AND UPHOLDING THE HIGHEST TRADITIONS OF THE UNITED STATES NAVAL SERVICE. He was killed in the line of duty while serving in Iraq on September 29, 2006.He died after throwing himself on a grenade to prevent it from killing others whom he had been assigned to protect on a rooftop. Legal Statement. In the early afternoon, enemy fighters attacked his position with automatic weapons fire from a moving vehicle. On March 31, 2008, the United States Department of Defense confirmed that Monsoor would posthumously receive the Medal of Honor from the president of the United States, George W. Bush, for his valiant and selfless actions to save the lives of his SEAL teammates by sacrificing his own, during combat in Ramadi, Iraq on September 29, 2006. His life and unfortunate death are . The Independence-class littoral combat ship USS Coronado (LCS 4) and the Zumwalt-class destroyer USS Michael Monsoor (DDG 1001) arrived at theTom McCall Waterfront Park in Portland, Oregon to kick-off Portland Rose Festival and Fleet Week 2022, June 9., He was one of the best men I've ever met and although we were merely colleagues, I still mourn his every Memorial Day and September 29th. Rose Rea: Yes, it is a powerful one. During Mike Monsoor's funeral in San Diego, as his coffin was at the grave site at Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetery, SEALs were lined up on both sides of the pallbearers route . Instead, knowing what the outcome would be, he fell on the grenade to save the others from harm. May 7, 1976 - June 28, 2005. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. We put in the story what he told his mom or brother - he said you'll have to drag my dead body off the beach before I quit again. [5][6], A grenade was thrown onto the rooftop by an insurgent on the street below. Get the recap of top opinion commentary and original content throughout the week. It was communion, it was Eucharist, it was confession. One of his platoon mates was having a baby. George eventually said okay, let's do it. Contact. It's really a selfless sacrifice and you end up giving this gift to those who are spared. When we encounter Iraqi families, I treat them with respect and dignity. Security services could have stopped Manchester Arena attack if they acted on intelligence, and bomber's own family 'holds significant responsibility' for his radicalisation, damning report finds For service as set forth in the following CITATION: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as Automatic Weapons Gunner for Naval Special Warfare Task Group Arabian Peninsula, in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM on 29 September 2006. As we trained and prepared to deploy to Iraq, everyone learned that Mike was an incredible person. Faith conquers all. He graduated in September 2004 and joined SEAL Team 3 in 2005. I try to honor his life and death by remembering his example and trying to emulate it because even when he was faced with some of the least September 22, 2018 | Arlington, WA | Military. As suspected, his parents wouldn't have known about it but probably gave them great comfort once they learned. President's 13 Year Old Daughter Spent Spring Break in Mexico-Truth. The parents of Master-At-Arms 2nd Class (SEAL) Michael A. Monsoor accepted the nation's highest military honor on behalf of their son during a White House ceremony April 8, 2008. After the engagements, the local populace blocked off the roads in the area with rocks to keep civilians away and to warn insurgents of the presence of his Coalition sniper element. THE ENEMY CONTINUED TO ASSAULT THE ELEMENT, ENGAGING THEM WITH A ROCKET-PROPELLED GRENADE AND SMALL ARMS FIRE. In September 2006, Michael laid down his life for his brothers in arms. The Moving Funeral of Petty Officer Mike Monsoor-Truth! At his funeral in San Diego, California, SEALs lined up on both sides of the route of the pallbearers and loudly slapped gold tridents from their uniforms on the wooden casket as a tribute to their fallen comrade.The Truth:The story is true and, despite the comment about not being reported by the media, was given coverage by several news outlets across the U.S. including Fox news. These men who are in the field with the Warriors give great counsel, and great solace. From April to Sept. 29, 2006, Mike served as a heavy weapons machine gunner in Delta Platoon, SEAL Team 3. Together, we live in dust and dirt and filth. April 5, 1981 - Sept. 29, 2006. I feel like it was about a hundred pounds extra the guys were telling me from bullets from his SAW Gun, which you probably could go into more specifics about, but I meant it was a huge automatic weapon. While moving toward extraction, the Iraqi Army and Naval Special Warfare overwatch team received effective enemy automatic weapons fire resulting in one SEAL wounded in action. USS Michael Monsoor is the second of three Zumwalt-class destroyers ordered by the Navy. Michael Anthony Monsoor (April 5, 1981 September 29, 2006) was a United States Navy SEAL who was killed during Invasion of Iraq and posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. Monsoor described as an "outgoing guy" by his grandfather, George Monsoor, Sr. was killed on Sept. 29, 2006. : USS Michael Monsoor DDG-1001 2. [3][5], Monsoor was described as a "quiet professional" and a "fun-loving guy" by those who knew him. Those memories will always be within those children, which I love. A Navy SEAL sacrificed his life to save his comrades by throwing himself on top of a grenade Iraqi insurgents tossed into their sniper hideout, fellow members of the elite force said. Mike and his fellow SEALs accounted for 84 enemy fighters killed in action and the detainment of numerous insurgents. Not much is known of the circumstances surrounding his death, family members said . There was no other option for him. Monsoor was the . Read Michael Monsoors Summary of Action for September 29th, 2006, As Kristen Scharnberg of the ChicagoTribune summarized in tribute, The men who were there that day say they could see the options flicker across Michael Mansoors face: save himself or save the men he had long considered brothers. Monsoor was protecting other SEALs, two of whom were 15 feet away from him. All rights reserved. Rea: Yeah. Michael obviously knew what was going down, as he was operating on this nightly basis. Navy Narrative:On 29 September (2006), Monsoor was part of a sniper overwatch security position in eastern Ramadi, Iraq, with three other SEALs and eight Iraqi soldiers. As we bridge this, Father Halladay, Michael's faith, and the family's faith. Civilians aiding the insurgents blocked off the streets, and a nearby mosque had broadcast a message for people to fight against the Americans and the Iraqi soldiers. On May 9, 2006 Mike rescued a SEAL who was shot in the leg. April 5, 1981 - Sept. 29, 2006. As for his family, please accept my deepest sympathy. They patrolled bravely through the city streets engaging in firefights while on other occasions, they ambushed insurgent mortar teams near the banks of the Euphrates River. Not out of any sort of reason other than just letting us be. Collectively it weighed more than 100 pounds. He deployed with his platoon to Iraq in April 2006 in support of OperationIraqi Freedom, and was assigned to Task Unit Bravo in Ar Ramadi. Though well-acquainted with enemy tactics in Ar Ramadi, and keenly aware that the enemy would continue to attack, the SEALs remained on the battlefield in order to carry out the mission of guarding the western flank of the main effort. I think George will fight for his son and stand up for his memory his whole life. Although only . The SEALs fired back and stood their ground. Aviation_Intel. The four had been working with Iraqi soldiers providing sniper security while U.S. and Iraqi forces conducted missions in the area. The slaps were audible from across the cemetery; by the time the coffin arrived grave side, it looked as though it had a gold inlay from all the Tridents pinned to it. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Peter Burghart/Released). Element snipers thwarted the enemy's initial attempt by eliminating two insurgents. Without hesitation and showing no regard for his own life, he threw himself onto the grenade, smothering it to protect his teammates who were lying in close proximity. When we're able to read about someone that we would aspire to be or someone who's done something really incredible it is just inspiring. All of the rest of the men, three SEALs, and the Iraqi interpreters, survived because of what Michael did for them willingly. I believe I had the honor and pleasure of meeting Mr. Monsoor there. And while there is no way that a steel and iron ship can ever replace the flesh and blood that was Michael Monsoor, at the same time, there is no more fitting memorial to him than a warship.