Purple Heart recipient and veteran advocate Sgt. Michael Verardo laid to rest with honors at Arlington

Under a grey entity connected Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, family, friends and chap work members gathered astatine Arlington National Cemetery to laic to remainder U.S. Army Sgt. Michael Verardo, 1 of the astir catastrophically wounded heroes of the post-9/11 generation.

The paratrooper who survived 2 IED blasts successful Afghanistan and endured 120 surgeries implicit 15 years was remembered arsenic a patriot, hubby and begetter whose courageousness outlasted each wounded helium suffered.

Sgt. Verardo’s communicative agreed lawmakers, veterans and subject families who witnessed not conscionable however helium fought, but however helium lived, transforming his agelong betterment into a ngo to service others done the Independence Fund, which has restored mobility to much than 2,700 severely wounded veterans.

The ceremonial opened with an invocation from Rev. Dr. Terry Moore, whose dependable carried implicit the rows of achromatic headstones. "Today is simply a ineffable day, for we person joined unneurotic to grant a existent leader — a leader to his country, his family, a husband, a begetter and a friend," helium said.

TRUMP LAYS WREATH AT TOMB OF THE UNKNOWN SOLDIER AT ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY ON VETERANS DAY

Soldiers from the U.S. Army Band, "Pershing’s Own," the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), and the Caisson Detachment behaviour afloat subject ceremonial honors with escort for U.S. Army Sgt. Michael Verardo successful Section 57 of Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia, Nov. 19, 2025. (U.S. Army photograph by Elizabeth Fraser / Arlington National Cemetery / released)

"Greater emotion has nary 1 than this: to laic down his beingness for his friends. But astir importantly, Michael Verardo was a kid of God… His tone rests successful the arms of a loving God."

Soldiers successful formal azygous with the U.S. Army Band, 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, and the Caisson Detachment moved with precision arsenic they carried his flag-draped casket to Section 57, Grave 2113. A firearm volley cracked done the aerial earlier a lone bugler played "Taps."

While "My Country, ’Tis of Thee" played softly implicit the field, the folded American emblem which draped his casket was placed into the hands of Verardo’s widow, Mrs. Sarah Verardo, "as a awesome of appreciation" from a grateful nation.

TRUMP SALUTES SGT. MICHAEL VERARDO, WOUNDED AFGHANISTAN VETERAN WHO INSPIRED INDEPENDENCE FUND’S TRACKCHAIRS

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth offers condolences to Sarah Verardo and household pursuing the ceremonial work for her husband, U.S. Army Sgt. Michael Verardo, successful Section 57 of Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia, Nov. 19, 2025. (U.S. Army photograph by Elizabeth Fraser / Arlington National Cemetery / released)

The ceremonial concluded with "Amazing Grace" connected the bagpipes.

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth offered 1 of the afternoon’s astir affectional tributes.

SGT. MICHAEL VERARDO HONORED AT MILITARY FUNERAL IN NC: A HERO WHO NEVER STOPPED STANDING FOR THE FLAG

Soldiers from the U.S. Army Band, "Pershing’s Own," the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), and the Caisson Detachment behaviour afloat subject ceremonial honors with escort for U.S. Army Sgt. Michael Verardo successful Section 57 of Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia, Nov. 19, 2025. (U.S. Army photograph by Elizabeth Fraser / Arlington National Cemetery / released)

During the ceremony, Sarah Verardo sat flanked by the couple’s 3 daughters, Grace, Mary Scott and Elizabeth.

Born Feb. 16, 1985, successful Providence, Rhode Island, Michael Verardo enlisted successful the U.S. Army and deployed to Afghanistan arsenic a subordinate of the 82nd Airborne Division, Bravo Company, 2-508th Parachute Infantry Regiment.

In April 2010, helium survived 2 abstracted IED attacks successful the Arghandab River Valley. The 2nd detonation caused catastrophic injuries: the nonaccomplishment of his near leg, extended burns, a traumatic encephalon wounded and terrible interior damage. He flatlined aggregate times earlier pulling done with sheer grit and celebrated his "Alive Day" each twelvemonth aft connected April 24.

Verardo spent years successful betterment astatine Walter Reed and Brooke Army Medical Center, undergoing much than 120 surgeries and countless aesculapian procedures. He joined precocious schoolhouse sweetheart Sarah Conklin successful 2013, and unneurotic they raised 3 daughters portion devoting their lives to improving attraction for severely wounded veterans.

Through their enactment of The Independence Fund, founded by Marine Corps seasoned Steve Danyluk, the Verardos helped present much than 2,700 all-terrain Track Chairs to veterans crossed generations, providing newfound independency to troops injured successful Iraq, Afghanistan and Vietnam. Verardo died Aug. 26, 2025, from complications related to his combat injuries. He was 40.

To those who knew him, Sgt. Verardo’s beingness was defined not lone by the injuries helium survived, but by the ngo helium chose afterward: advocacy and service. That ngo continues done the Independence Fund, done each seasoned who regained mobility done a Track Chair, and done each subject household strengthened by the illustration helium and Sarah set.

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His headstone volition look the Washington Monument arsenic the federation helium fought for inactive stands tall.

"Wearing our nation’s azygous was the grant of Michael’s lifetime," Sarah said successful a erstwhile interview. "Caring for him was the grant of mine."