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President Donald Trump is honoring the retired sergeant from the US Army. UU. Michael Verardo, one of the most catastrophic heroes of the Afghanistan war and a purple heart receiver, who died at age 40 on Tuesday due to complications of the injuries suffered in the battlefield.
Trump praised Verardo in a social publication of truth as “a true American hero” whose courage and sacrifice “will inspire us forever.”
The history of La Verardo was not only sacrifice for his nation, but also of a lasting impact. His courage in the face of devastating injuries, and his wife's determination, Sarah, led to the creation of the veterans initiative of the Independence Fund for wounded veterans.
With the support of Fox News viewers, more than 2,000 triumphs for all terrain were delivered to the double, triple and quadruple amputates, said the Independence Fund. The initiative returned the freedom to the wounded veterans of Iraq, Afghanistan and even Vietnam, allowing them to hunt, fish and leave the road with their families.
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Retired army sergeant. Michael Verardo posed with his wife, Sarah, and his three daughters in a family portrait. (Courtesy of the Verrardo family)
On April 24, 2010, while serving in the Valley of the Arghandab River in Afghanistan, Verodo stepped on an FDI.
The explosion claimed his left leg, left his arm very damaged, caused severe burns and inflicted a traumatic brain injury. He placed himself several times, but survived thanks to medical care and the great sand. He later explained why he marked on April 24 every year as his “living day”, saying that he decided to concentrate not what he lost, but “in what I have.”
For the next four years, Verardo suffered 120 surgeries in Walter Reed and Brooke Army Medical Center. In 2013 he married his high school girlfriend, Sarah Conklin, who had supported him through his recovery.
At her wedding, Verardo simply said about her girlfriend: “I have loved her as she knows her.” The couple went to raise three daughters together.
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Sergeant Michael Verardo took hand with his girlfriend, Sarah, during his wedding day in 2013 after years of recovery of his combat injuries. (Courtesy of the Verrardo family)
Sarah has talked for a long time about the invisible challenges that her husband wore after the explosion. “He had poly-trauma, which means that multiple systems suffered catastrophic injuries,” he explained in an interview with the Journal providence, noting that his recovery was never a straight line. “Using the uniform of our nation was the honor of his life, and taking care of him is my honor,” he said in the same interview.
Sarah wrote about her husband in a moving publication of Instagram shared on Wednesday: “It was the honor of my life to be his wife. His person. My heart is broken. He fought the good fight every day and gave us everything he had. I promised him that I will always do a good good
North Carolina honored seeing on April 24 as the day of the injured heroes. Despite the current medical challenges and cognitive difficulties in later years, it remained an example of perseverance and resistance to all who knew him.
Sarah often emphasized that Triumph took many ways: “Some amputates run in prostheses, but with others, a victory is simply to spend another day. I consider that both are equally inspiring.”
Sergeant Michael Verardo walked with his wife, Sarah, and his three daughters out of his house. (Courtesy of the Verrardo family)
As CEO of the Independence Fund, Sarah transformed her personal battle into a national movement. She helped launch the trackcilla initiative in association with Fox News and its spectators, raising millions of dollars and changing lives. The program then expanded to include Vietnam veterans, ensuring that previous generations of heroes were honored and supported.
“We honor the extraordinary life and service of the retired sergeant from the US Army. UU. Michael Verardo, a true American hero, who gave everything for our nation,” President Trump wrote in a social publication of truth.
“After suffering catastrophic lesions of an FDI in Afghanistan on April 24, 2010, Michael suffered 120 surgeries with unwavering courage, and the strong support of his incredible wife, Sarah, and three beautiful daughters. The tireless defense of Sarah for the wounded warriors and military families exemplies the spirit of America. Michael. Michael. They will be forgotten.
Michael Verardo will be buried with all military honors on Tuesday, September 2, 2025 at 11:00 am in the Weddington Methodist Church in North Carolina, according to his family. The community is invited to attend and honor their sacrifice.
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His legacy lives in every wounded veteran who regained independence through an athletic track, in each family strengthened by the Independence Fund and in the lasting gratitude of a nation.
Although his battle is over, his story will continue to inspire Americans to honor their heroes not only on the battlefield but on the long recovery trip.
