Veterans Day - A Fallen Hero

In honor of Veteran's Day and all the Veterans out there, I would like to repost this.

And Thank You to all of you from the bottom of our hearts.

Davey Warsen

For this posting I want to honor a fallen hero. My family and friends downstate in Michigan, southern Grand Rapids to be exact, have had heavy hearts since the news of the August 16, 2012, passing of 27 year-old Davey Warsen JR, a Navy Seal recently deployed in Afganistan and expected home next month. We've known his father, uncles, aunt, grandmothers, and grandfathers forever. Our families would camp together when we were all kids. And as loved ones passed away - my father at 58, in 1999, and Davey's grandmother, Faith - the good Lord put Faith's wonderful husband, Jay, and my mother together. Davey Warsen was Jay's grandson.

So as you see, we are all affected by this tragedy. The funeral service is today and Governor Snyder has ordered flags to be flown at half mast. Please keep his family and friends in your thoughts and prayers. Our hearts are so heavy at their loss.

Here is an article from mlive.com...

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – The family of U.S. Navy SEAL David Warsen, who was killed in an Aug. 16 helicopter crash in Afghanistan, has issued a statement thanking the community for its support – and remembering Warsen as a hero.

Services for Warsen, 27, of Kentwood, are Thursday morning at Mars Hill Bible Church in Grandville.

His family - including father David Warsen, stepmother Stephanie Warsen, mother Patricia Frank, stepfather Greg Frank, his brothers, Aaron, Kyle, Ryan and Sam, and his fiancée Karlyn Deveau – released a statement.

“It is with sincere regret that we share the loss of David. He has touched all of our lives as a son, a brother, a fiancé, a friend, and a hero. He was truly devoted to his teammates and country. We want to thank everyone for the kind sentiments and gifts. The support and strength within our community has been extremely well received.

“David had perseverance and determination, which made him excellent at his job. He was always striving to be the best, which made him an outstanding SEAL. David knew it was a difficult and dangerous job, but that never deterred him. He wanted to be a SEAL more than anything else and work with his teammates in the most extreme circumstances. David was quick-witted and sharp. He could bring a smile to your face with a comical phrase or a statement of endearment and character.

“David would want everyone to remember him as a loving son, brother, fiancé and a true friend and warrior who never once questioned his integrity and commitment to his family and country. We want to extend our thoughts and prayers to all those who are fighting and serving our country.”

Warsen, born in Grand Rapids, graduated from East Kentwood High School in 2004. He was a standout on the soccer field, and was strong at any sport he tried. He liked to play pickup basketball with family and friends, camping, weightlifting and fishing on his Uncle John’s boat.

He enlisted on March 10, 2009. He was assigned to a West Coast-based SEAL team in October 2010. Two months later, he deployed to Afghanistan. He was to finish his deployment in about a month.

His awards and decorations include Bronze Star with Valor, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal with Valor, Combat Action Ribbon, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, the NATO Service Medal, Expert Rifle Marksmanship Medal and the Expert Pistol Marksmanship Medal.

Click on the links below for more information on Navy Seal David Warsen.

Obituary

The procession from Gerald R. Ford Airport on Monday, August 27, 2012

He and his fiancee were planning a December 9, 2012, wedding