AMH3 Michael Monaghan: Remembering a Friend and a Hero
A Complete Life, If Not A Life Completed
Michael Shamus Monaghan came into life a short four minutes before his brother, Kevin and,sadly, left us too soon. Twenty-one years is a brief span to make your mark. Michael, with a purity of purpose and a determination to grow, achieved a complete life if not a life completed. His passing has not left us empty but rather full - full of memories that contain a message for us all: We gain from life in relation to our commitment to life. Michael's commitment was absolute and his rewards many.
Throughout his childhood, Michael was like all children. He was a unique gift from God with a personality and talents not fully revealed. God, family, friends, music, sports, and later, girls and cars were the influences which made Michael the man. The passage from youth to manhood was not without difficulties -- challenges, really. These he overcame and he chose to enlist in the U.S. Navy. This then was his path to discovery.
Service to our country in the military is an honorable choice for those who realize they require an education other than academic. For Michael, the opportunities which the U.S. Navy presented were an opening to a new world. Michael never turned away an opportunity to expand his world. As a crew chief on a search and rescue helicopter, a rescue swimmer and an airframe maintenance specialist, Michael excelled. But Michael reached beyond his military duties in his search for growth and knowledge. While stationed in California, He attended college classes and was well on his way to a degree. He received a California EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) license - recognized in 48 states. In his off-duty time he was taking flying lessons; his love for flying carried him beyond his military occupation.
Upon the recommendation of those officers with whom he flew, Michael was urged to apply to the U.S. Naval Academy. His application was on his commanders desk when Michael made his last flight. The Navy lost a potential leader; those who knew him lost an invaluable friend, hero, an inspiration.
In May of 1998 my Aunt Kathleen, Michael's mom was put in touch with a military survivor organization called T*A*P*S. The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, Inc. (TAPS ) is a national non-profit organization made up of, and providing services to, all those who have lost a loved one while serving in any branch of the Armed Forces -- Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, National Guard, Reserves, Service Academies or the Coast Guard. Each Memorial Day weekend, all those affected by a death in the line of military duty are invited to Washington, DC to attend three days of sharing, coping, and healing with some of America's leading experts on trauma and grief. And for younger survivors the TAPS Youth Camp is a place where can share their memories and make new friends while exploring the Washington D.C.
On October 31, 2004 family friend Tim Ryan will be running in Michael's name. Please help me as I remember my cousin, Michael, and his fellow comrades, while raising funds and awareness for
T*A*P*S.
http://www.taps.org/donate.shtml
Michael Shamus Monaghan came into life a short four minutes before his brother, Kevin and,sadly, left us too soon. Twenty-one years is a brief span to make your mark. Michael, with a purity of purpose and a determination to grow, achieved a complete life if not a life completed. His passing has not left us empty but rather full - full of memories that contain a message for us all: We gain from life in relation to our commitment to life. Michael's commitment was absolute and his rewards many.
Throughout his childhood, Michael was like all children. He was a unique gift from God with a personality and talents not fully revealed. God, family, friends, music, sports, and later, girls and cars were the influences which made Michael the man. The passage from youth to manhood was not without difficulties -- challenges, really. These he overcame and he chose to enlist in the U.S. Navy. This then was his path to discovery.
Service to our country in the military is an honorable choice for those who realize they require an education other than academic. For Michael, the opportunities which the U.S. Navy presented were an opening to a new world. Michael never turned away an opportunity to expand his world. As a crew chief on a search and rescue helicopter, a rescue swimmer and an airframe maintenance specialist, Michael excelled. But Michael reached beyond his military duties in his search for growth and knowledge. While stationed in California, He attended college classes and was well on his way to a degree. He received a California EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) license - recognized in 48 states. In his off-duty time he was taking flying lessons; his love for flying carried him beyond his military occupation.
Upon the recommendation of those officers with whom he flew, Michael was urged to apply to the U.S. Naval Academy. His application was on his commanders desk when Michael made his last flight. The Navy lost a potential leader; those who knew him lost an invaluable friend, hero, an inspiration.
In May of 1998 my Aunt Kathleen, Michael's mom was put in touch with a military survivor organization called T*A*P*S. The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, Inc. (TAPS ) is a national non-profit organization made up of, and providing services to, all those who have lost a loved one while serving in any branch of the Armed Forces -- Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, National Guard, Reserves, Service Academies or the Coast Guard. Each Memorial Day weekend, all those affected by a death in the line of military duty are invited to Washington, DC to attend three days of sharing, coping, and healing with some of America's leading experts on trauma and grief. And for younger survivors the TAPS Youth Camp is a place where can share their memories and make new friends while exploring the Washington D.C.
On October 31, 2004 family friend Tim Ryan will be running in Michael's name. Please help me as I remember my cousin, Michael, and his fellow comrades, while raising funds and awareness for
T*A*P*S.
http://www.taps.org/donate.shtml