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Navy Seal, Michael Strange: An American Hero


A 50 foot American flag suspended from a crane blew majestically in the evening air at Hetzell’s field in Fishtown on Friday night.  On the field gathered well over a hundred people who had come to pay their respects to the family of a fallen American war hero, Naval Petty Officer 1st Class Michael Strange, who lost his life when his helicopter was shot down by a Taliban insurgent in Afghanistan on the 6th day of August.  Strange, 25, was a member of Navy SEAL Team 6 and a 2004 graduate of North Catholic High School.  He was one of 30 U.S. servicemen who were involved in this elite group killed in the attack.

The Strange family left their home in Mayfair Friday night and arrived at Hetzell’s field around 7:30 escorted by the Philadelphia Police Department and members of the motorcycle-riding patriots of “Warrior Watch”.   A police honor guard was present on the field along with members of the various military branches, all of whom gathered to honor Strange.

The ceremony included the singing of the National Anthem by Fishtown’s own Jocelyn Drabowski, followed by a moment of silence in honor of Michael.  In addition a memorial softball game was played between “SEAL TEAM 6” and members of North Catholic’s Alumni.  Michael’s father, Charles, threw out the first pitch of the night.  This was the family’s first public appearance since receiving word last week of their son’s death.  Michael’s father was also presented with the American flag that was flown from the aircraft carrier, the U.S.S. John F. Kennedy.

Michael Strange was the nephew of Maggie O’Brien, a strong and dedicated community activist and President of FACT.  Maggie attended the community ceremony on Friday night.  “I thought the ceremony was beautiful and I was very happy to see his life being represented by both North Catholic and the US Navy.  Michael would be genuinely touched by the outpouring of support.”

Carol Kessler is a friend of the Strange family and was there at Hetzell’s field with her daughter and her three granddaughters. “Michael and his family are personal friends of our family and I am proud to say he was a wonderful man who loved his job and his country. My heart aches so much for them.  He was an amazing person growing up from a beautiful and well mannered boy to a heroic and amazing Navy Seal.  I am proud to have been a part of his life.”

In the softball game “SEAL Team 6” was victorious over the North Catholic Alumni team by the score of 12 to 2.

For those interested in purchasing a “SEAL Team 6 Michael Strange” t-shirt, they are available at Mick’s Inn at Belgrade and Clearfield Sts. for $15.  There has been a Facebook page set up for Michael Strange, which has almost 10,000 members.

Michael Strange made the ultimate sacrifice for his country.  He is an American hero.  Our sympathies to the Strange family as well as to those families whose loved ones were killed in this mission.

John 15:13 “Greater love hath no man than this; that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

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