Posted by
Rob on Friday, July 04, 2008 11:28:21 AM
Petty Officer Michael A. Monsoor was killed in action in Iraq and posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.
Monsoor was killed on Sept. 29, 2006. He had been assigned to protect fellow SEALs on a rooftop in Ramadi, Iraq, when a fierce firefight with insurgents broke out. During the battle, a grenade bounced off Monsoor’s chest and landed on the roof. Petty Officer Monsoor had a choice to make. Save himself or save his comrades. He threw himself on the grenade absorbing the blast thus saving the lives of his fellow Seals. During his funeral which was attended by almost every Seal on the West Coast, as the casket was transferring from the hearse to the gravesite, the Navy Seals formed two columns, and as the casket passed, each Seal removed the gold Trident from his uniform and slapped it down on the coffin of Petty Officer Monsoor embedding it into the wood. The slaps could be heard throughout the cemetary. President Bush said in his speech at the Medal of Honor ceremony that the funeral procession went on for "half an hour and by the time it was over a simple wooden coffin had become a gold plated memorial to a hero who would never be forgotten".
As I typed this in I couldn't help but cry. I am so proud of our armed forces. The liberals may protest and only remember the Abu Ghraibs. I choose to remember the honorable men and women who sacrifice daily to keep me free. Today on our nations birthday, let us honor warriors such as Petty Officer Monsoor and his comrades, who honor him and bring honor to America. I was proud to be an American when I served in the Navy, and I am even more proud now. Thank you Petty Officer Monsoor. I too give you honor.