Michael David Verardo

United States Army Sergeant Michael David Verardo tragically passed away on August 26, 2025, as a result of service-connected complications following injuries sustained from an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) while deployed in Afghanistan. 

Verardo grew up in Lincoln, Rhode Island, surrounded by a large and deeply loving family of cousins, aunts, and uncles. From a young age, he was quiet and reserved, with a subtle yet wonderful sense of humor and a steady calmness that grounded him. He loved sports, found joy in the outdoors, and was known as a loyal and thoughtful friend. Those who knew him early on recognized a quiet strength in his character, a strength that would continue to define him throughout his life. 

From a young age, Verardo felt a strong sense of purpose and a desire to serve something greater than himself. The attacks of September 11th occurred during his high school years, leaving a lasting impact that would profoundly shape the course of his life. Verardo was certain he would enlist in the United States Army, and he fulfilled that commitment on March 20, 2007. Driven by a deep sense of duty to serve and protect the freedoms of our country, he set his sights on becoming Airborne. Throughout his service and in the years that followed, Verardo’s impact reached far beyond what could be measured. He took part in meetings with Presidents, Senators, Members of Congress, and Judges, helping to drive meaningful and lasting improvements in the lives of wounded veterans. His efforts also contributed to bringing thousands of Afghan interpreters safely to the United States. Yet what stood out most was his personal impact. Through his actions, discipline, and example, he inspired countless others to step up and do more, leaving those around him better because of the man he was. 

Throughout his service, Verardo was recognized for his bravery, dedication, and commitment to excellence. He was a two-time recipient of the Purple Heart and was also awarded the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Sharpshooter Marksmanship Badge with Automatic Rifle Bar. These honors reflect the courage, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment that defined both his service and his character. 

Verardo met his wife, Sarah, while they were in high school at St. Andrews School in Rhode Island. As her lab partner, he always handled their dissections because Sarah was squeamish, once telling her he would take care of the hard things for her, a promise he truly lived by. Among Sarah’s most cherished memories are their engagement, when Verardo handed her a Bible before placing the ring on her finger, and their wedding day, when he quietly took her hand and promised her forever. Verardo wore pink shirts in the hospital for the birth of each of their three daughters, a simple gesture that reflected his deep love and devotion to his family. Sarah treasures the simple, beautiful moments they shared at home, watching Verardo play in the backyard with their golden retrievers, sing to their girls, and dance them around in his wheelchair. He spent hours building a swing in the backyard for their children, and each Christmas Eve, his voice filled their home as he read The Night Before Christmas, a tradition she will always treasure. 

Verardo’s legacy lives on through his children and echoes across generations of service members. He had a remarkable ability to see the good in others and to fight for the causes he held close to his heart, inspiring those around him to be and do better. The support around him extended far beyond his local community, reaching people across the nation. Everyone who met him was deeply moved by his presence and his remarkable ability to smile through it all. While many may read about Verardo’s life, his military achievements, and the day in Afghanistan when he should have died but defied the odds, those who knew him best remember something even greater: his kindness and extraordinary character. He was a devoted husband and a loving father whose family was truly the center of his world. 

Sarah and their daughters honor Verardo every day. They speak of him often, carrying a deep pride in being his family. His presence lives on in the way they love one another, in the humor his daughters so naturally carry, and in the compassion and strength they show in their daily lives. They honor Verardo through their advocacy, their kindness, and the way they continue to move forward with the same quiet resilience he embodied. Through them, Verardo’s legacy is not only remembered, but lived, carried forward with purpose and felt in the love. 

United States Army Sergeant Michael David Verardo is survived by his devoted wife, Sarah, and their beloved daughters. 

The Tunnel to Towers Foundation has paid off the mortgage on the Verardo family home through the Gold Star Family Home Program.