Our nation’s finest protect us on the land, in the sea, and in the air. They travel to foreign nations to safeguard our homeland from those who seek to do us harm.
Now, they need your help honoring one of their fallen.
The U.S. Navy SEALs are asking people to line the streets in the military town of Coronado, California on Friday to honor the special warfare operator killed in Iraq.
Charles Keating IV, who grew up in Phoenix, is the third service member to die in Iraq since U.S. forces returned there in 2014. His remains will be transported across the Coronado Bridge to San Diego to be buried at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery.
His Coronado-based SEAL Team 1 said in a statement that Keating, who was killed in a gunbattle with Islamic State fighters on May 3, “was an excellent special warfare operator, who worked tirelessly as both a breacher and sniper, and even served as a leading petty officer for the training of all West Coast SEAL snipers.
“He was a dedicated and professional SEAL, a true warrior,” the group said. “To say that we will miss Charlie is of course an understatement. But the legacy he leaves behind, for his fellow SEALs and for those who knew him, is unmistakable. He died bravely, doing what he loved, and what he believed in. He set an example for the rest of us to follow.”
School children, retired Navy officers and throngs of others are expected to turn out for the public tribute — just as in 2011, when thousands waved flags to honor two SEALs killed in a downed helicopter in Afghanistan as their remains were transported across the bay to Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery. The picturesque cemetery overlooking the bay to one side and the Pacific Ocean on the other is officially full but exceptions are made for those killed in action.
Keating will be buried as a chief petty officer, a rank given to him posthumously.
At a memorial ceremony attended by more than a thousand people in Coronado Thursday, the 31-year-old SEAL was posthumously awarded a Silver Star, the nation’s third-highest combat medal, for his heroic actions during a battle in March against Islamic State fighters in Iraq, said Lt. Beth Teach, a spokeswoman for the SEALs.
He also received a Purple Heart and Combat Action Ribbon for what he did the day he was killed.
“He gave his life to protect his brothers,” Keating’s younger brother, Billy, also an enlisted SEAL, told mourners at Coronado’s Tidelands Park.
Keating and Brooke Clark decided to quietly wed shortly before his deployment and the couple was looking forward to holding a traditional wedding ceremony with family and friends in November, Naval Special Warfare spokeswoman Lt. Beth Teach said.
The former cross-country runner, who served multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, was part of a quick reaction force that moved in to rescue U.S. military advisers caught in a gunbattle involving more than 100 Islamic State fighters. The small team of American advisers had gone to Teleskof, about 14 miles north of Mosul, to meet with Kurdish peshmerga forces. The attack triggered a massive coalition air response that destroyed equipment, buildings and killed up to 60 militants.
Thousands of students of the Coronado Unified School District plan to wave flags along nearly seven blocks leading to the Navy base as the procession carrying Keating’s remains passes, said Maria Johnson, executive assistant of the superintendent.
“A lot of parents here have military ties so this is very important for us to support the military,” she said. “We’ve got a lot of parents on deployment. It’s dear to our hearts.”
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
If I lived any where close to the San Diego/Coronado, CA area I would most certainly show up to honor Chief Petty Officer Keating & his family for his service and the ultimate sacrifice, but since I don’t I’ll keep him and his family in my thoughts and prayers.
I would definitely help if I lived in the area. I live in MO.
GOOD LUCK AND GOD BLESS
I live to far but no matter where I maybe I honor all of our warriors for their bravery and freedom they give to us by laying their lives on the line.My prayers for Petty Office Keating and his family
I will as well.
i feel just like you do, I live in CT and can’t get there. always have a Flag outside my home and will wave a special one that day. We can’t say enough thank you’s for all the brave young men and women have done to keep America safe. A salute to you all.
We pray daily for the safety of our military men and women. We also pray God saves our country from the idiocy of
Barach and the rampage plans by Hillary Rotten. Mostly we pray that Americans are enlightened on the destruction planned by Rotten Clinton. God Bless all real Americans
and save us from Rotten Clinton
I favor honoring all American warriors, especially Navy Seals
I support them all – our Grandson is currently serving in the Marine Corp. with two deployments to Afghanistan.
Thank him for his service and prayers for his safe return
Oh my…it’s hitting so close to home. With one son still in the military and 7 deployments, let us honor all our men and women in uniform. Will certainly be part of lining the streets to honor our fallen hero. When America loses one, it loses a family member. God Bless America’s finest, all our men and women in uniform and our country.
I honor them all – our Grandson is currently serving in the Marine Corp. with two deployments to Afghanistan.
I am out of range to attend the services. However out of respect I lower my flag to half mast for all of our troops killed in action. Most of my brothers are working in the Special Operations community as did my son so there is always a soft spot in my heart for Spec.Warriors.
Out of my fire team only 4 of us old timers are left. To many of my men were lost to young.
Love the men in green .. detest the pc politico’s sending them into situations. Best regards to Chief Petty Officer Keating and his family. I do trust their hearts can come to peace with their great loss.
We can all pray for his safe joinery to the next plane and then vote for trump in his oner
FAIR WINDS AND FOLLOWING SEAS CHIEF and GOD bless you and family.
We will miss this brave & courageous Seal. May God be with his precious family!!
We will miss this brave & courageous Seal! May God be with his precious family, especially his new bride!!
If I lived there I would most certainly show up, God bless this Seal and my condolences to his family, RIP hero.
I live in the UK but just want to express my support. Our son did three tours and was lucky enough to come home.
To his family, I say remember him always with pride. I salute a fallen hero and I know his city will honor him well.
Bless them all for what they do to keep us safe. I assume this event is today, the 13th, and I am not able to attend. But this is a marvelous way to show gratitude for his bravery, selflessness and dedication to our country.
I would definitely be in Coronado if I could. There are no words to really express to his wife, family & Seal Team brothers how very sorry I am for their great loss. I will never forget that some gave all. Fair winds Petty Officer Charles Keating, IV.
GET ON STUD!! Is what my big bro always says! In combat with boots on too! I know your family is proud. Im proud to have heard and read your last name. I’m 31 as well and live up here in North County, SD. The next rock and rollers got you. I’m down to charge it with you. Love and respect to you and yours’.
Saturday pick a heavily traffic street interception fly our US Flag. Attach a Purple Heart ribbon to the flag.
I wish I were in California to honor this true American Hero in person. May God Bless him and his family and friends, and may he rest in peace.
If the media were forced by public demand to honor the service of our military and be upfront and objective in their reporting on their heroism and expose the mealy mouthed politicians that demean their service, it would be a boon to the type of character and honor to duty it would draw for the good of the nation……OuuuuuRaah!…..US Military……
MAY GOD HAVE A SPECIAL PLACE IN HEAVEN FOR HERO’S LIKE CHIEF PETTY OFFICER CHARLES KEATING 1V.& ALL OUR HERO’S.
MAY THE LORD BE WITH HIS WIFE & FAMILY, FRIENDS AT THIS TRYING TIME !
Of course, Obama made no mention of him in his speeches. He cares not for any American life and he proves that over and over again
And that’s what chaps my hide worse than anything! He could have acknowledged the sacrifice of this amazing SEAL, but again, he dishonors our military. As a Navy widow myself, my heat goes out the family. My prayers for them and all of our men and women in uniform!
If I was in CA I would be there. I am there in spirit. Prayers and appreciation for his family for their sacrifice. There are no words except I’m so sorry.
God blessed the Keatings when he gave Charles to them the first time,may He watch over them as the country honors him now. They will be in my prayers. God bless and love you always.
I pray for this young man killed in Irag! I pray that all the Navy Seals could get the authority and go to the WH AND ARREST Obama for treason NOW! Obama’s a evil man!
May he rest in peace and may the perpetual light shine upon him. We
thank him from the bottom of our
hearts for his courageous final act of
bravery. May his family and wife find
peace in this sorrowful time and know
that he has the grateful prayers of our
whole nation. Patricia Keating Burke
I live in Florida and wish I could be there. My thoughts and prayers will be with him and all of our brave servicemen. They are the best!
Rest in Peace my warrior. God bless our SEALS and all those who defend this greatest of Nations.
To lose one of the best of the best is always sad. It’s up to each and every citizen to make sure it was not in vain and that proper leadership is regained going forward.
May GOD bless and keep you, his precious family.
May GOD shine His light on his wife who did not get their official wedding when he returned to America.
May you live in peace that only our Creator can give!!!????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
What is wrong with my post??
As a former U.S. Airborne Marine and having had the SEALS cover my six, I am saddened and dismayed at the conspicuous absence and silence of Obama. How quick he continues to be in supporting members of BLM and others of their hateful kind.Obama does not hesitate in his undermining of our values…as our young warriors pay the ultimate price in support of the same values. How very sad.