Requiem Aeternam

It should be noted by anyone who has ever read a story about saints that they live today--or that they died today. No decree has ever gone out stating that saints cannot exist past a certain point in time, and here is proof.
Proving as blatantly false the myth that courage and honor are dead is Michael Monsoor, a 25-year-old Navy SEAL who dove on a grenade in a split second decision to save his two comrades, when he had an open avenue of escape. A devout Maronite born to a social worker and a Marine, he overcame numerous physical difficulties as a child including asthma to become a sailor in the US Navy and thereafter a SEAL. He was deployed in spring of 2006 to Ramadi, Iraq.
In May of 2006 he ran into a street under constant gunfire to save a comrade who had been shot in the leg. He fought with one hand while pulling his friend with the other and was subsequently awarded the Silver Star for his actions. This injured SEAL had a dream months later in which he perceived Monsoor with the wings of an angel, and comissioned an artist to paint it.
He reportedly wore, at all times, a miraculous medal and a medal of his patron, St. Michael the Archangel. He died on September 29th 2006--the Feast of St. Michael and the other Archangels.
During the ceremony in which he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor the two comrades he saved were present, and the President broke down repeatedly throughout it.
At his funeral, nearly all of the SEALs on the West Coast were present. They removed, one by one, their golden tridents from their uniforms and slammed them into the sides and top of his wooden coffin. The procession took half an hour and by the time that they reached the gravesite the plain wood coffin was coated in gold.
In October of 2008 it was announced that the second ship in the Zumwalt class of destroyers would be named after the young SEAL.
If any doubt remains about the heroism embodied in Michael Anthony Monsoor, read this. This man was a hero in the truest sense of the word, and though his life may have been laid down, his valiance will shine forever.

Rest in peace, Michael Monsoor.

You will never be forgotten.

"...conspicuous gallantry above and beyond the call of duty..."