The Gloucester Sea Cadets were invited to provide the color guard at the Dan Healy Memorial 5K race this past weekend in Exeter, NH. I was so honored to have Thatcher be a part of the color guard at the opening ceremonies. Having him witness and take part in an occasion to honor a fallen Navy Seal, especially so close to Veterans Day I suppose, gave way to numerous lessons about honor, courage, commitment…and respect, heartache, pride, and patriotism.  We took the long, scenic ride home and discussed the morning’s events…..and my heart broke and swelled with pride simultaneously as I listened to Thatch explain his feelings about the morning.

While I always think I know how watching this young group of Sea Cadets in action will effect me, I’m still always surprised by how it sneaks up on me.  Many of them, for the record, also rocked the 5K which is pretty cool too.  Learn more about the Gloucester Sea Cadets HERE

Dan Healy died along with seven other SEALs and 8 Army “Nightstalker” commandos when their MH-47D Chinook helicopter was shot down during a mission to rescue a four-man SEAL reconnaissance team in Kunar Province on June 28, 2005. Below is information about Senior Chief Petty Officer Daniel R. Healy, US Navy SEAL, as taken from the Dan Healy Memorial 5K Facebook page.  A tremendous individual and an exemplary example.

Senior Chief Petty Officer Daniel R. Healy, US Navy SEAL, BUD/S Class 196, SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team One, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, was born on July 17, 1968 in Exeter, NH and KIA in the Hindu Kush mountains of Kunar Province, Afghanistan on June 28, 2005 during Operation Red Wings.

SCPO Healy was lost when the MH-47 helicopter he was aboard on a rescue mission crashed going to the aid of a team of four SEALs on a reconnaissance mission who were embroiled in a battle with a larger force of the Taliban. When word got back to base about their plight, their fellow SEALs went into action filling two helicopters to go to their aid. Due to his rank as a Senior Chief Petty Officer, Dan Healy did not have to go on that mission, but he insisted. Taking men off of the lead helicopter SCPO Healy told the others “Those are my men and my face is going to be the first one they see”.

For his actions, SCPO Healy was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star with Combat “V” for Valor, the Purple Heart and Afghanistan Campaign Medal. SCPO Healy’s other awards include Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Good Conduct Medal (3), and the National Defense Service Medal.

MISSION OF THE DAN HEALY FOUNDATION

TO UPHOLD THE HONOR AND DEDICATION EXEMPLIFIED BY SENIOR CHIEF HEALY IN HIS HEROIC EFFORTS BY BEING OF SERVICE TO THE SEACOAST, NH COMMUNITY THROUGH THE FOLLOWING RESOURCES:

SCHOLARSHIPS- To area students entering the military or a trade school

VETERANS- Aiding Seacoast area veterans in various ways

SINGLE PARENTS- Offering a grant to deserving single parents

This run and walk event is in honor and remembrance of Dan and his fellow teammates. It is held in his hometown of Exeter, NH. For a full line of events; register as a runner or walker, including virtually; donate to The Dan Healy Foundation; or sign up to volunteer please visit https://runsignup.com/Race/NH/Exeter/DanHealyMemorial5K