Local Veterans to Honor Fallen Navy SEAL

A fallen hero is being honored by a local veteran’s organization, which has named its post after a decorated Navy SEAL who was killed in 2006 in Iraq.

Post 2082 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars will hold a dedication ceremony Saturday to unveil its new name—Michael A. Monsoor Post 2082.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Monsoor was awarded the Medal of Honor for an act of heroism: He sacrificed his life to save others. He died Sept. 26, 2006, shielding his comrades from a grenade blast in Ramadi, Iraq.

The Navy SEAL was honored in 2010 with a plaque placed on the Mt. Soledad Veteran’s Memorial. The ceremony was attended by his family and was capped with a flyover.

Members of Monsoor’s family are expected to attend the ceremony Saturday, featuring the presentation of colors by U.S. Naval Sea Cadets, new banners for the post and auxiliary, guest speakers, dignitaries, city leaders and military officials.

Rear Adm. Sean Pybus, Commander Naval Special Warfare Command, and Rear Adm. Garry Bonelli, Deputy Commander Naval Special Warfare Command, are expected to attend.

The public is invited to the celebration, which will start at 1 p.m. at the VFW, 2885 Lemon Grove Ave. Refreshments will be served.

Monsoor, a native of Long Beach, was 25 when he died. He served in the Navy five years. He is buried at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery.