Union County soldier laid to rest with full military honors

UNION COUNTY, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Fifteen years after he was wounded in war, Sergeant Michael Verardo, a Union County soldier who died on August 26, 2025, from combat injuries sustained in Afghanistan in 2010, was laid to rest on Tuesday at Weddington Methodist Church with full military honors.

His funeral drew dignitaries from all over the country.

A warrior never dies.

“Sergeant Michael Verardo’s story is one of fearlessness and courage, sacrifice and perseverance,” said former Vice President Mike Pence during the funeral service.

Verardo, a paratrooper with the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division, did not stop fighting.

“Sergeant Michael Verardo had the heart of a lion. He was the best of the best of America,” said Jennifer Griffin, Chief National Security Correspondent for Fox News, during the eulogy for Verardo.

The first battle came when Verardo was hit and wounded in an IED attack in Afghanistan in April 2010.

He didn’t want to leave his comrades behind, so he asked to go back into battle, even after being injured.

The second IED attack was catastrophic. It blew off Verardo’s leg, burned his torso, and left him with a traumatic brain injury.

Still, he did not give up, despite amputations and 120 surgeries.

He married his high school sweetheart, Sarah, and they had three beautiful girls.

“I developed a deep admiration for a man who could have easily been consumed by what for many of us would have been insurmountable challenges,” said Senator Thom Tillis at Verardo’s funeral.

Verardo lived for 15 years after he was wounded in war.

“Michael, I will love you forever until my last breath, you will live through our daughters, always, always,” said Sarah Verardo while eulogizing her husband.

A warrior never dies.

“I’ve got it from here, I love you, my precious husband, and thank you,” said Sarah Verardo to close out her remarks.