VFW Named After Fallen Navy SEAL

LEMON GROVE, Calif. (NNS) -- Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 2028 renamed its Lemon Grove station after a fallen SEAL, Master-at-Arms 2nd Class (SEAL) Michael A. Monsoor, during a rededication ceremony April 21.

More than 100 guests, including six of Monsoor's relatives and leadership from the Naval Special Warfare (NSW) community attended the ceremony.

During the ceremony, Rear Adm. Sean Pybus, NSW's commander, delivered a short speech about Monsoor's bravery and legacy.

"Michael is special to us in the NSW community," Pybus said. "We guard his name and value his legacy. In the years ahead, I ask post membership to commit to demonstrating the values that Petty Officer Monsoor embodies. These being honor, passion, respect, and courage.

"He rests nearby," he added. "You can be sure he'll visit the post from time to time to check in. Understand who he was, because this post now bears his name. Michael will live as long as we remember him."

At the end of the ceremony, two VFW members unveiled the new sign. Monsoor's mother, Sally Monsoor, talked about how her son's actions in Iraq lead to him being respectfully remembered and highly honored.

"Michael's name on this building is wonderful," said Sally. "All the work that the veterans have done to redo their post and name it after my son is an honor for our family."

Monsoor was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor during a White House ceremony in 2008.

While engaged in a fire fight in Iraq Sept. 29, 2006, an insurgent threw a hand grenade from an unseen location. The grenade bounced off Monsoor's chest and landed in front of him. Although only he could have escaped the blast, Monsoor chose instead to protect his team mates. 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 team mates.

"His actions in Ramadi on that day led him to all of this," said Sally. "We miss him every day, but we are very proud of what he did."

For more information about Master-at-Arms 2nd Class (SEAL) Michael A. Monsoor visit www.navy.mil/moh/monsoor/.

For more news from Naval Special Warfare, visit www.navy.mil/local/nsw/.

For more news from Naval Special Warfare, visit www.navy.mil/local/nsw/.