In honor of Michael Monsoor
I noted the ceremony this morning.
Allah’s got the video.
Blackfive notes that the NYTimes remains AWOL.
The Navy’s tribute is here.
President Bush’s remarks today:
THE PRESIDENT: Good afternoon, and welcome.
The Medal of Honor is America’s highest decoration for military valor. Over the years, many who have received the medal have given their lives in the action that earned it. The name of Petty Officer Michael Anthony Monsoor will now be among them.
In September 2006, Michael laid down his life for his brothers in arms. Today, we remember the life of this faithful Navy SEAL. And on behalf of a grateful nation, we will present Michael Monsoor’s family with the Medal of Honor that he earned.
I welcome the Vice President. Secretary of Defense Gates, thank you for coming. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Peake; Secretary Don Winter of the Navy; Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, and wife, Deborah; General James Conway, Commandant of the Marine Corps, and Annette; Admiral Gary Roughead, Chief of Naval Operations, and wife, Ellen; Senator John McCain; Congressman Ed Royce; Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez.
Previous Medal of Honor recipients, thank you for joining us.
I appreciate Chaplain Burt; Navy SEALS — the finest warriors on the face of the Earth; the Monsoor family, and everybody else.
The Medal of Honor is awarded for an act of such courage that no one could rightly be expected to undertake it. Yet those who knew Michael Monsoor were not surprised when he did. This son of Orange County, California, grew up in a family where helping others was a way of life. Mike’s father was a Marine; his mother a social worker. Together, they raised their four children to understand the meaning of service and sacrifice.
From a very early age, Mike showed the strength of his own convictions. Apparently going to kindergarten wasn’t one of them. Mike had no complaints after the first week of school — until someone broke the news to him that he had to go back the next week. (Laughter.) Many mornings, Mike refused to put on the nice clothes for school. Instead, he insisted on wearing mismatched outfits. Mike’s mother soon discovered there was no stopping the determined young boy from mixing plaids and stripes. And years later, there would be no stopping an even more determined young man from donning a uniform of Navy Blue.
In some ways, Mike was an unlikely candidate for the Navy. He suffered from terrible asthma as a child. On some nights, his coughing fits would land him in the hospital. But Mike would not lie low for long. He strengthened his lungs by racing his siblings in the swimming pool. He worked to wean himself off his inhaler. He built himself into a superb athlete — excelling from sports like football to snowboarding.
After enlisting in the Navy, he began preparing for the ultimate test of physical endurance: SEAL training. Less than a third of those who begin this training become SEALs. But Mike would not be denied a spot. In September 2004, he earned the right to wear the Navy SEAL trident.
The newly minted frogman became a beloved member of the SEAL team community. His teammates liked to laugh about the way his shiny Corvette would leave everybody in the dust. But deep down, they always knew Mike would never leave anybody behind when it counted. He earned their confidence with his attention to detail and quiet work ethic. One of Mike’s officers remembers an instructor once asking after an intense training session, “What’s the deal with the Monsoor guy? He just says, ‘Roger that,’ to everything.”
When Mike deployed with his team to Ramadi in the spring of 2006, he brought that attitude with him. Because he served as both a heavy machine gunner and a communications operator, he often had a double load of equipment — sometimes more than a hundred pounds worth. But under the glare of the hot desert sun, he never lost his cool.
At the time, Ramadi was in the clutches of al Qaeda terrorists and insurgents. Together, the SEALs and the Army 1st Battalion of the 506 Infantry Regiment took the offense against the enemy. The SEALs carried out a broad range of special operations — including providing sniper cover in tough urban conditions, and conducting raids against terrorists and insurgents. Overall, Mike’s platoon came under enemy attack during 75% of their missions. And in most of these engagements, Mike was out front defending his brothers.
In May 2006, Mike and another SEAL ran into the line of fire to save a wounded teammate. With bullets flying all around them, Mike returned fire with one hand while helping pull the injured man to safety with the other. In a dream about the incident months later, the wounded SEAL envisioned Mike coming to the rescue with wings on his shoulders.
On Saint Michael’s Day — September 29, 2006 — Michael Monsoor would make the ultimate sacrifice. Mike and two teammates had taken position on the outcropping of a rooftop when an insurgent grenade bounced off Mike’s chest and landed on the roof. Mike had a clear chance to escape, but he realized that the other two SEALs did not. In that terrible moment, he had two options — to save himself, or to save his friends. For Mike, this was no choice at all. He threw himself onto the grenade, and absorbed the blast with his body. One of the survivors puts it this way: “Mikey looked death in the face that day and said, ‘You cannot take my brothers. I will go in their stead.’”
Perhaps the greatest tribute to Mike’s life is the way different service members all across the world responded to his death. Army soldiers in Ramadi hosted a memorial service for the valiant man who had fought beside them. Iraqi Army scouts — whom Mike helped train — lowered their flag, and sent it to his parents. Nearly every SEAL on the West Coast turned out for Mike’s funeral in California. As the SEALs filed past the casket, they removed their golden tridents from their uniforms, pressed them onto the walls of the coffin. The procession went on nearly half an hour. And when it was all over, the simple wooden coffin had become a gold-plated memorial to a hero who will never be forgotten.
For his valor, Michael Monsoor becomes the fourth Medal of Honor recipient in the war on terror. Like the three men who came before him, Mike left us far too early. But time will not diminish his legacy. We see his legacy in the SEALs whose lives he saved. We see his legacy in the city of Ramadi, which has gone from one of the most dangerous places in Iraq to one of the most safest. We see his legacy in the family that stands before us filled with grief, but also with everlasting pride.
Mr. and Mrs. Monsoor: America owes you a debt that can never be repaid. This nation will always cherish the memory of your son. We will not let his life go in vain. And this nation will always honor the sacrifice he made. May God comfort you. May God bless America.
Come on up. And now George and Sally Monsoor will be here — a Military Aide will read the citation.
The citation is read:
The President of the United States, in the name of the Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor, posthumously, to Master At Arms Second Class, Sea, Air and Land, Michael A. Monsoor, United States Navy. 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 a member of a combined SEAL and Iraqi Army sniper overwatch element, tasked with providing early warning and stand-off protection from a rooftop in an insurgent-held sector of Ar Ramadi, Iraq, Petty Officer Monsoor distinguished himself by his exceptional bravery in the face of grave danger. In the early morning, insurgents prepared to execute a coordinated attack by reconnoitering the area around the element’s position. Element snipers thwarted the enemy’s initial attempt by eliminating two insurgents. The enemy continued to assault the element, engaging them with a rocket-propelled grenade and small arms fire. As enemy activity increased, Petty Officer Monsoor took position with his machine gun between two teammates on an outcropping of the roof. While the SEALs vigilantly watched for enemy activity, an insurgent threw a hand grenade from an unseen location, which bounced off Petty Officer Monsoor’s chest and landed in front of him. Although only he could have escaped the blast, Petty Officer Monsoor chose instead to protect his teammates. 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. 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.
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Yes indeed, in honor of Michael Monsoor and all of his family. RIP for a job well done for America. Thank God for people like his man.
L
I just read this a few seconds ago. God bless are brave troops.
Our Troops
This man is the true definition of hero. God bless his soul and all of his family.
Having witnessed my uncle’s posthumous Medal of Honor ceremony , I always make a point to read the stories and citation for each person killed in action.
Their sacrifice should always be remembered.
Thank you Michelle for this. With the crud going on in Congress degrading our military with General Petraeus, this is what the United States of America is about, brave men and women. I can hardly type, tears.
L
Thank you for posting this Michelle. It also makes me sick to see the grandstanding of the clowns in the senate and how they treat Crocker & Petraeus and any military member who doesn’t think this is a waste of time.
May the Lord have mercy…
may all others take notice. Amen & amen.
And the vermin in the media ignore our American heros like Michael Monsoor.
Rest in peace brother.
Thank God for men like Petty Officer Michael Monsoor. May God comfort his family and friends. RIP Michael, you are and always will be an American hero.
“The only easy day was yesterday.”
Roger that.
Fair winds and following seas.
Salute.
“Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13
RIP…to our fallen heros
STHU to our blow-hard politicos like Hillbag Clintox
“Where do we get men like this.”
Our warriors - let themselves be killed so that others may live.
Their warriors - let themselves be killed so that others may die with them.
Me too. May God the Father Almighty rest his Soul and comfort his family and team.
Have any of the three stooges running for president bothered to honor this True American Hero, Michael Monsoor?
Petty Officer Monsoor may you rest in peace.
Rest in peace, Mike. You are a true role model and hero for people to look up to and honor. You showed that our troops aren’t the “stupid idiots” that some have said.
McCain was there. Didn’t see mention of the other two
May God bless Petty Officer 2nd Class Mike Monsoor and his family. Thank you for your son’s sacrifice for our country.RIP Mike Monsoor, American hero.
Thank you, Michelle.
I also thank President Bush for his words today, and his steadfast war on terrorists.
Common Sense
Thanks to your uncle for his service and sacrifice for all of us …
Thanks and RIP to Michael Monsoor for his sacrifice …
May all of our fallen heroes families know peace and accept the condolences and thanks of those of us for whom their loved ones have given their all …
Semper Fi
DesertLover
SSGT USMC
1963-1974
Sharing the emotions of others here. Thank God that we have heroes as SEAL and Petty Officer Monsoor watching over us.
Finally, something is up on the NYT website.
Godspeed, and God Bless.
To the Monsoor family, Thank You for raising a son that makes America greater among all others.
I believe Sen. McCain was at the ceremony.
It is because the Monsoor’s raised a fine young man like Michael that we get to sit at home, type on keyboards, and sleep in comfortable beds. We owe him and his fellow warriors a debt that can never be repaid. May God bless the Monsoor family and give them peace.
May God be with our Armed Forces and their families always.
Since 9/11, on all battlefields, more than 4,000 American soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines have earned and been awarded the top six medals for valor, the Bronze Star with ‘V’ device and higher. Conversely, the Times has written and published but four straight stories about the battlefield heroics of the War on Terror’s most highly decorated troops — and not one time has even their heroism made the Times’ front page.
God bless Michael Monsoor.
Thank you Michael Monsoor, may the lord comfort your family, and may you rest in peace!
I am humbled by your life, your service, and your love of your teammates.
Thank you just isn’t saying enough!
Thank you for your service, Sir!
Thank you Mr and Mrs Monsoor for raising such an American. God bless your family.
(If you value your stomach contents don’t read the NYT article)
Reading the statement by President Bush brought tears to my eyes and then you contrast that with the Democrats and their thoughts on the war and the only thing I can come up with, is the left just doesn’t get what our young men and women are fighting for. To them, it’s all a political game, no right or wrong, just what will get me in a position of power. Michael Monsoor got it and so do those brave men and women that are over in Iraq. When will these Democrats understand that there is nothing wrong, in fact it is noble, to stand up for what is right, no matter what. Michael Mansoor got that, why don’t they.
RIP Michael.
Navy Motto: Non sibi sed patriae!
Not for self but for country.
Roger that and Drive On.
Hugs to all those who are close to Mr Monsoor and helped to shape his soul, they too deserver medals.
I offer my smartest, most respectful salute to you and those you loved Petty Officer Michael Monsoor!
God Bless you, Mike! God Bless all of our soldiers in the military!
God Bless you Michael Monsoor. May we all live lives that earn your sacrifice!
Thank you Michael.
You know, I just read this and I gotta tell you, it made me cry. This is just something you only hear about or see in movies. I mean, completely Cowboy’ed Up, John Wayne-style saving the men he was with.
This is America’s bravest and brightest. It saddens me to not be able to personally greet his family and thank them myself for the sacrifice that this brave Sailor gave in order that my children can whine about going to school in the morning and my wife and I can continue with the issues we are having. All of which, while huge in out own life, are absolutely NOTHING in comparison to what this man did, what his family went through and what they must live with forever.
So I can only hope and pray that at least one member of their family reads our wonderful hostesses Website, and is also reading these comments so that they will see this:
Thank you. Thank you on behalf of myself, my daughters and son, all the children they may have and thank you even in the name of all the people who will never know about his sacrifice or what he has done. There are those of us out here that will always honor him and never forget the face of a true hero, and a real Patriot…a genuine American from the same cloth that George Washington himself was cut from.
Thank You and may God give you comfort and peace in the knowledge that there is a grateful and thankful America that will never forget. God Bless you.
There goes a man who lived his life well, for himself and for others.
It does put what the left’s doing in perspective. Can you imagine anyone in Code Pink falling on a grenade for anyone?
B. Hussein “Empty Suit” Obama wouldn’t have been anywhere near a ceremony such as this.
Much as he refuses to wear a flag in his lapel, or to cover his heart with his right hand while the National Anthem plays, he would not do so because he would not want to lend credence to the politicizing and glorifying of the American ideology, thereby alienating any minority peoples in this country who might find this brave man’s service in the Navy of the United States of America to be offensive. Wouldn’t want to offend those that murdered him, would he now?
Has anyone noticed the air-time the MSM has given to honoring this _real_ man?
James Greenidge
Queens NY
You sir are my hero.
May you rest in peace.
All gave some. Some gave all.
May God grant your family peace.
Inspiration. Role Model. Shipmate.
God Bless.
Roger that.
Thank you, Michael Monsoor.
waiting for the MSM to tell this man’s story repeatedly on TV and in print…
still waiting….
< sound of crickets >
A true American hero, may he RIP and may that peace find his loving, giving family.
It is men and women like Michael Monsoor that made Amirica the greatest country in the history of the world.
I live in a rural area, where houses are miles apart. My “next door” neighbor home is still occupied by the family of a MOH posthumous recipient. WW II, 101st Airborne. The young man was an American rifleman - his shooting skill was put to use the day he took out those German MG nests.
His family makes no display of it, and have that curious and shining virtue that the the WW II generation display: humility.
When you live out here, and hunting is a daily part of life, you know intuitively what it means to be an American. Not abstract sentiments. I wore the uniform of the US Army myself. The honor of of these great men was reflected by that experience, and I count it the greatest privilege of my life to have served.
Thanks, MA2 Monsoor, and family, for your courage and sacrifice.
RIP, Petty Officer Monsoor. You will always be remembered and honored for your courage and conviction to serve your country and protect your fellow military men and women. You will not be forgotten by those who serve and those who support our Armed Forces.
Mr. and Mrs. Monsoor, even in your deepest sorrow, know that you are supported as well. Whatever you need, please let us know.
Bravo Zulu PO Monsoor.
May you rest in peace and may your memory be a blessing to your family and the USofA.
Alright, anyone else ever notice how the trolls never come to threads like this and comment? It just cements my belief that these fools have no respect for the military. It’s sad that they can teach their garbage, go poop in the park and do whatever else they do on the backs of people such as this.