by Lindsey Ross
Pinedale Roundup
“The only thing I really remember is working on his hot rod,” said 16 year old, Michael McDaniel. Mike’s dad, Michael McDaniel Sr., was a Communications Sergeant in the Seventh Special Forces Group in the United States Military. His dad died on a special operations mission in Chile, August 9, 1994. Mike was four years old.
Special Operations Warrior Foundation was created to provide a college education to every child of a fallen special operations soldier. The foundation is funded by private donors, 100% of the money goes to the kids in the foundation and it provides a full college education for anywhere the kid chooses to attend school. The foundation provides a laptop when the kid first goes to school, pays for tuition and housing.When Mike’s dad passed away in 1994, Mike became a part of this foundation.
“A college full ride -- anywhere I want to go,” Mike said modestly.Mike has always received Christmas cards and birthday cards from the foundation. This year the CEO of the founder, John Carney, asked Mike and his mom, Bea, to come out to Cody for the “Honor Our Special Operations Forces Weekend”, May 25-27. The foundation paid for their trip to Cody, put them up in the Irma Hotel and they were honored guests for the entire weekend.
Green Berets, Navy Seals, Army Rangers and other special operations soldiers attended the event. John Carney, Governor Dave Freudenthal and his wife Nancy were also there.
The highlight of the weekend was a benefit for the foundation Saturday night.
“I asked him if he wanted to get up and say something while everyone was there and within two minutes he was up there,” said Bea.Mike had not prepared a speech and admired and respected many people in the audience. He wanted to show his gratitude.
“Basically I was just thanking all of the people for their support of the foundation, and thanking all the people for making this happen,” he said.
Mike and Bea will be going to Ft. Bragg, North Carolina, this summer where Mike’s dad was lived, worked and was buried. This is another courtesy the foundation offers all of their kids.
They will also be going to a New York Yankees game this July.“George Steinbrenner, the owner of the NY Yankees, is a big supporter. They bring up a lot of kids every year and they get to sit in the owners box,” said Mike excitedly. “I feel so bad bragging about this stuff.”
He put his head in his hands.
Mike has high expectations for himself.
“My goal would be to go to MIT and major in automobile engineering or design,” he said.
