05/25/2026
Happy Memorial Day!
As we gather today with family and friends, take a moment to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Here is a story of a Navy SEAL who gave all that you can read to your guests today.
# # # The Story of Petty Officer Second Class Michael A. Monsoor
"Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends." — John 15:13
"Today, as we enjoy this beautiful day, our freedom, and each other’s company, we want to take a moment to remember exactly what Memorial Day represents. We remember the men and women who gave up all of their tomorrows so that we could have ours.
One of those brave Americans was a 25-year-old from California named Michael Monsoor.
As a child, Michael suffered from severe asthma. He spent years gasping for air, but he possessed an unbreakable will. He didn’t just want to manage his illness; he wanted to push his body to the absolute limit. He grew up, joined the Navy, and endured the grueling training required to become a United States Navy SEAL.
By September of 2006, Michael was deployed to Ramadi, Iraq—a dangerous, heavily contested war zone. He was an automatic weapons gunner, carrying a heavy machine gun nicknamed 'The Pig.' His teammates knew him as a quiet professional, a devout man who went to Mass whenever he could, and a loyal friend with a quick sense of humor.
On September 29th, Michael’s platoon was engaged in a heavy firefight. He took up a position on a rooftop alongside two fellow SEAL snipers and an Iraqi soldier to provide overwatch and protect the men below. Because of the layout of the roof, the only escape route was directly behind Michael.
Suddenly, an insurgent from an unseen location threw a fragmentation gr***de up onto the roof. It bounced off Michael’s chest and hit the deck right in front of him.
In that split second, Michael had a choice. He was the only person on that roof who could have jumped backward and escaped the blast completely unscathed. The other three men were positioned in a way that left them entirely exposed.
Instead of saving himself, Michael made a choice that defies human instinct. He chose his brothers. He yelled, 'Gr***de!' and instantly threw his entire body flat onto the live explosive, smothering it against the concrete.
The gr***de detonated underneath him. Michael absorbed the full force of the blast, saving the lives of the other three soldiers, who escaped with only minor injuries. Thirty minutes later, Michael passed away from his wounds.
Michael was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. At his funeral in Arlington National Cemetery, an extraordinary sight took place: as his casket was carried past, every single Navy SEAL from both the East and West coasts stood in a line. One by one, they stepped forward, took the gold Trident pins off their own uniforms, and slapped them firmly into the wood of Michael's casket, burying him with a sea of gold.
We tell Michael’s story today not to focus on the sadness of his death, but to celebrate the immense depth of his character. He gave everything for his friends. As we raise a glass today, let’s remember Michael Monsoor, and the hundreds of thousands like him, who proved that our freedom is bought with a devastating price.
To the fallen."
