The grenade hit him in the chest and bounced onto the deck. During the funeral, as the coffin was moving from the hearse to the grave site, Navy SEALs were lined up forming a column of twos on both sides of . It was communion, it was Eucharist, it was confession. Only you guys, only the men, and women who have served in these stressful situations can attest something happens. They were providing overwatch security while joint and combined forces were conducting missions in the area. One of his platoon mates was having a baby. Requiescate in pace. This story is so incredible so it really gives people a perspective and a glimpse into who was this boy that made this split-second decision that changed lives forever. Talk a little bit about the role and responsibility that goes with being that automatic weapon operator. [17], In October 2008, United States Secretary of the Navy Donald C. Winter announced that the second ship in the Zumwalt class of destroyers would be named USSMichael Monsoor(DDG-1001) in honor of Petty Officer Monsoor. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Fausone: I think that's one of the lessons, right? This electronic book is available for free download and printing from www.homeofheroes.com. The new destroyer is named for Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael Monsoor, a Navy SEAL who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his . He is buried at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego. 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. A warship that proudly bears his name. I and the other members of SEAL Team Three, Task Unit Bruiser, had the honor of participating in the commissioning ceremony. He chose them.. 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. Petty Officer Second Class (SEAL) Michael Anthony Monsoor. 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. 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. The President of the United States in the name of The Congress takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to. Three Ismaili Muslims were members of parliament, down one from 2019, and State Minister for Peace Sadat Mansoor Naderi is also an Ismaili Muslim. 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. 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. Fausone: And again, that's the lesson to learn. In the morning, his team observed four enemy fighters armed with AK-47s reconnoitering from roads in the sector to conduct follow-on attacks. It does cause you to say, every time I read one of these stories, how do you do that? [16], In 2011, the United States Department of Veterans Affairs honored Monsoor by naming one of the first three named streets at Miramar National Cemetery after him. BECOMING COUSTEAU Liz Garbus, Dan Cogan; COW Andrea Arnold, Kat Mansoor; FLEE Jonas Poher Rasmussen. It's been a very colorful and challenging life to live, but we're so grateful for our military men and women that serve us. Petty Officer Second Class (SEAL) Michael A. Monsoor patrols the streets of Iraq while deployed in 2006. All morning long the overwatch position received harassment fire that had become a typical part of the day for the security team. A relationship through how much they loved each other and then this brotherly love which ultimately grows and grows and then at the end, but after you saw how much he cared about his fellow squadmates didn't it almost make sense at the end as devastating as it was. And death. He graduated in September 2004 and joined SEAL Team 3 in 2005. His leadership, guidance and decisive actions during 11 different combat operations saved the lives of his teammates, other Coalition Forces and Iraqi Army soldiers. It is obviously very humbling to be here today, as it was humbling to be on the battlefield of Ramadi with my fellow SEALs and 2/28 Brigade Combat Team, the Iron Soldiers, and then 1/1 AD, the Ready First Combat Team, which was formed up by our brothers from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines and included such hallowed units as the 1st of the 506th Band of brothers, the 1-37 Bandits, and the 3/8 Marines. We're talking to Rose Rea and she wrote the book, "Defend Us in Battle," with George Monsoor who's the father of Navy SEAL Michael Monsoor, who received the Medal of Honor from President George Bush back in 2008 for his actions in 2006 in Iraq. Fausone: "Defend Us in Battle" is on the Harper Horizon imprint. . To me, they're worth dying for, because there's a bond between brothers, and that bond transcends blood. Michael Monsoor is the second Zumwalt-class destroyer to enter the fleet. He was there to offer him whatever assistance Michael needed. By June 21, 2022 springhill elementary school calendar on michael monsoor funeral June 21, 2022 springhill elementary school calendar on michael monsoor funeral Not much is known of the circumstances surrounding his death, family members said . So George got to talk with him about sacrifice. As the coffin passed each SEAL, they slapped down the gold Trident each had removed from his own uniform and deeply embedded it into the wooden coffin. Fausone: I think that's the bonding that occurs that maybe the civilian population doesn't necessarily appreciate. SEAL snipers from his roof engaged two of them which resulted in one enemy wounded in action and one enemy killed in action. Not everyone can step in and do it that well, that fast. As we approach the Anniversary of Mikey's sacrifice, I want to tell you about this man. Market data provided by Factset. STEVE INSKEEP, host: The White House is about to bestow the highest military award on a Navy SEAL from Southern California. The Moving Funeral of Petty Officer Mike Monsoor-Truth! Rea:Right. All rights reserved. The other thing, not everyone's going to understand the gravity of this, but he was a new guy. THE ENEMY CONTINUED TO ASSAULT THE ELEMENT, ENGAGING THEM WITH A ROCKET-PROPELLED GRENADE AND SMALL ARMS FIRE. A mutually supporting SEAL/IA position also killed an enemy fighter during the morning hours. Because why my brother and not me? Petty Officer Second Class Michael Anthony Monsoor was born April 5, 1981 in Long Beach, Calif. Michael . Though he carried himself in a calm and composed fashion, he constantly led the charge to bring the fight to the enemy. Petty Officer Second Class Michael Anthony Monsoor was born April 5, 1981 in Long Beach, Calif. Michael grew up in Garden Grove, Calif., as the third of four children of George and Sally Monsoor. When a grenade thrown by insurgents bounced off Michael's chest, he could have escaped. Rea: It's so true. Rea: It's no small thing. IN THE EARLY MORNING, INSURGENTS PREPARED TO EXECUTE A COORDINATED ATTACK BY RECONNOITERING THE AREA AROUND THE ELEMENTS POSITION. 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. The action for which he ultimately received the Medal of Honor occurred in September 2006 when he was on a rooftop post in Ramadi, Iraq and we'll tell that story. Really what Michael appreciated over there was strength. Exactly with that weapon, he was providing cover fire. As for his family, please accept my deepest sympathy. We're his siblings, just let us be. Fausone:Yes and it's a huge honor. They made him an honorary Chief because if he was alive, he still would have been. In fact, he would continue to agree to do more. FOR CONSPICUOUS GALLANTRY AND INTREPIDITY AT THE RISK OF HIS LIFE ABOVE AND BEYOND THE CALL OF DUTY AS AUTOMATIC WEAPONS GUNNER FOR NAVAL SPECIAL WARFARE TASK GROUP ARABIAN PENINSULA, IN SUPPORT OF OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM ON 29 SEPTEMBER 2006. Mission and Vision. He was a loyal friend and exceptional SEAL, and he is sorely missed by his brothers in Task Unit Bravo. Together, we live in dust and dirt and filth. Michael the Archangel by Guido Reni, Santa Maria della Concezione, Rome, 1636. Because there is nothing more important to me than my family. Faced with the choice to save his comrades or save himself, Monsoor threw himself on the grenade, absorbing the impact. I had no idea. 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 On 15 operations, he carried a rucksack full of communications equipment in addition to his machinegun and full ammunition load-out. Rea: It was my pleasure and it's been such a joy speaking with you. Thank-you for raising such a great son. It is the first Navy combat ship named for fallen Master-at-Arms 2nd Class (SEAL) Michael Monsoor, who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions while serving in Ramadi, Iraq, in 2006. Mike was also a SEAL communicator. Michael Monsoor is a hero for all the world to know about and appreciate. A couple of powerful statements. I have looked at this picture over and over again and it speaks to me. Tell us about this day that will always be remembered. During the battle, a grenade bounced off Monsoors chest and landed on the roof. I just thought that was so incredible. Fausone: I think again, another very important part because of a mother's concern and pain you sort of mention. [5][6], A grenade was thrown onto the rooftop by an insurgent on the street below. The Michael Monsoor, a Zumwalt-class destroyer, is docked in the San Diego Harbor at Naval Air Station North Island in Coronado Island, Calif. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 2 / 10 A fellow Navy Seal who knew and trained with Monsoor told TruthorFiction.com that he had already earned a Silver Star for Bravery and a Bronze Star for separate acts of valor. 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 . And then it just goes on from there, with the building of this ship. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. The Navy's newest Zumwalt-class destroyer, USS Michael Monsoor (DDG 1001), was commissioned Jan. 26 at Naval Air Station North Island, California. I know why Michael continued to foster this relationship. Margaret Louise Monsoor, our loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and friend passed away in her sleep on August 8, 2021. Contact. He really wanted to protect them. For those of us who were there, that picture of Mike captures all of this. 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. Fausone: Another person in the book that I think reflects Michael's character is Father Halladay. Let me set this up a little bit. 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. Who has the courage to do that? Collectively it weighed more than 100 pounds. 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. Naval Sea Cadet Corps unit named the "Michael A. Monsoor Battalion" based in Camp Pendleton, California. The Navy on Saturday christened the guided missile destroyer USS Michael Monsoor (DDG-1001), named in honor of a Navy SEAL who was awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism in Iraq. [10] Monsoor's parents, Sally and George Monsoor, received the medal on his behalf at an April 8, ceremony at the White House held by the President. An insurgent closed in and threw a fragmentation grenade into the overwatch position. Through this ship: Michael Monsoor will still represent the very best our country has to offer. His funeral in Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego was attended by nearly every SEAL on the West Coast, President Bush said. And then from George and Sally's perspective, knowing bits and pieces people do know. Descripcin. Michael Anthony Monsoor was born on 5 April 1981 in Long Beach, CA, the third of four children born to George and Sally Monsoor. Monsoor enlisted in the United States Navy in 2001 and graduated from Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training in 2004. In September 2006, Michael laid down his life for his brothers in arms. Figure out what you need to do to get better and get through that challenge. On the flip side, such gratitude. May the Lord continue to comfort you. INSTANTLY AND WITHOUT REGARD FOR HIS OWN SAFETY, HE THREW HIMSELF ONTO THE GRENADE TO ABSORB THE FORCE OF THE EXPLOSION WITH HIS BODY, SAVING THE LIVES OF HIS TWO TEAMMATES. In the book, "Defend Us in Battle: The True Story of MA2 Navy SEAL Medal of Honor Recipient Michael A. Monsoor". From April to Sept. 29, 2006, Mike served as a heavy weapons machine gunner in Delta Platoon, SEAL Team 3. He also helped load his wounded teammate into a High Mobility Multi-Purpose Wheeled Vehicle for evacuation, then returned to combat. The text of his citation reads: For service as set forth in the following. And then, as you know, at the end of the book who says that powerful prayer at the end, who's able to be there and the huge commissioning of bringing his ship to life but Father Paul Halladay. 1927-2021.