Monday - October 16, 2006

Definition: Hero

BlackFive and other milbloggers covered this story last week when it first broke. At that time no one was aware of the circumstances surrounding Michael Monsoor’s death. Today CENTCOM released this briefing to all of us. I am speechless.

I have read of instances like this happening in World War II and always thought that this kind of act went beyond anything defined as the “call of duty”. I have tried to imagine how I would react if I were in a foxhole with my buddies and a live grenade came tumbling in and hit me in the chest. Two seconds left to eternity. What would I (or you for that matter) do?

The spilt-second decision you have to make is to choose either (a) you all die, or (b) you die and your buddies live. Would I have the courage to choose option (b)? I don’t know and I hope and pray I never have to find out. “Doing the right thing” would go against all the survival instincts we have. Subduing that instinct to live and sacrificing my life for others is beyond my ability to predict.

Whatever else may come out of this war, there is one thing you can say ... if our President was wrong (and I don’t think he was) and if our military planners screwed the pooch (which I think they have), our troops have demonstrated the ultimate courage in the face of an insane enemy.

Honor them. Praise them. Let them know you care. Write a letter to a serviceman or woman today. Send a care package. Do whatever you can ... because somewhere over there in Iraq or Afghanistan soldiers are walking on patrol with madmen on all sides and none of them knows if or when their time will come to face that ultimate decision.

I regret the loss of Michael Monsoor and I extend my sympathies and deep regret to his family and friends. I’m sure Michael would be proud to know that he continues a tradition begun over two thousand years ago on a hill outside Jerusalem. Go with God, Michael. Rest in peace. Your work is done ...

Heroes In Action
_{(CENTCOM) - Monday, 16 August 2006}

According to Merriam-Webster’s On-Line; a hero is a man admired for his achievements and noble qualities; one that shows great courage.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael A. Monsoor, 25, of Garden Grove, Calif., died Sept. 29 while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Ramadi, Iraq. Monsoor was a Navy SEAL assigned to a West-Coast based command

Monsoor gave his life in order to save the lives of his brothers in arms. An Iraqi insurgent threw a grenade into a position occupied by Monsoor and three other SEALS.

According to a report in the Associated Press Monsoor was struck in the chest by the grenade. Monsoor immediately threw himself on top of the grenade saving the lives of the other three. Two other SEALs where injured and the fourth was unhurt.


From RADM Joe Maguire, USN - Commander Naval Special Warfare Command ...

“On behalf of the entire Naval Special Warfare community, we mourn the loss of Master at Arms Second Class (SEAL) Michael A. Monsoor, who died conducting some of our military’s most important missions. It’s been said that we cannot decide whether we live or die - we know one day we will die - but as people, as men and warriors, we can only decide what we will die for. This Sailor along with our two wounded teammates chose a life of significant meaning—to defend freedom and protect America and its allies from terrorism. We grieve with and support the family and friends who support our warriors on a daily basis. We hope that in time Michael’s family is comforted in knowing that he died fighting for what he believed in and we will not forget his sacrifice.”

According to The Navy Times, Monsoor was a native of Garden Grove, Calif., and joined the service in March 2001, according to Navy records. He was a member of BUD/S class 250, and had been serving with SEAL Team 3 since April 2005. Monsoor is the second SEAL to die in Iraq. Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael A. Monsoor, the definition of the word hero.

Posted by The Skipper     on 10/16/2006 at 02:13 PM   
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