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Michael Di Rocco

On July 8 and 9, family, friends, members of the community, and military comrades gathered to pay respects to Michael 鈥淢ike鈥 Di Rocco of Brevard, NC. Husband, father, friend, parishioner, Marine, Green Beret, adventurer, restaurateur, and volunteer all describe this extraordinary man. As I attended the services held in his honor, I wondered how to say goodbye to a hero and friend.

Served as a Marine and as Special Forces Green Beret

Mike served his country as a Marine in the 1950鈥檚 and again in the 1960鈥檚 as a Special Forces Green Beret in Vietnam, embedded in the villages of the Central Highlands鈥 indigenous tribes. His Special Forces team recruited the mountain people and trained them to defend their hamlets against the Viet Cong. Mike served with courage and distinction. His many decorations include the Purple Heart and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm.

Final Roll Call

At his burial service at the Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery in Black Mountain, NC on Friday, July 8, Di Rocco was honored by members of , who performed the poignant 鈥淔inal Roll Call鈥 鈥 a tribute paid by soldiers to their deceased comrade.

On Saturday, members of the community joined Mike鈥檚 beloved wife, Maggie, and his family at a Memorial Mass at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, celebrated by Father Shawn O鈥橬eal and assisted at the altar by Deacon Pat Crosby and Father Leo Gariazzo, special friends of the deceased.

Mike鈥檚 son, Frank, regaled the congregation with stories of Mike鈥檚 adventures. In the late 60鈥檚, Mike first heard of parasailing. 鈥淢y dad thought, 鈥榊eah, I have a parachute. I could do that,鈥欌欌 Frank said. 鈥淗e modified his parachute. Then he threw it and a section of mountain rope into the family station wagon.鈥 At that time, I-95 was under construction near their home in Pompano Beach, Florida. 鈥淲e drove out to the unfinished highway, hooked Dad up, attached the rope to the station wagon, and drove. And lo and behold, there we were on I-95 with Dad parasailing behind us!鈥

Honor Ceremony

The Transylvania County Honor Guard, led by Ray McCall NCOIC and Chaplain James Boatwright, Capt. and three active duty Senior Master Sergeants from the Fort Bragg Green Berets, performed an honor ceremony which included a three-round volley, the playing of taps, and the folding and presentation of the flag to Maggie Di Rocco.

The service concluded as the congregation sang 鈥淕od Bless America.鈥

A Gentleman and a Mentor

Throughout the weekend, I thought of Mike and Maggie Di Rocco, inseparable as together they lived life to the fullest while facing its challenges. Mike was the first veteran I interviewed for my book, 鈥淲elcome 约炮视频, Brother.鈥 He served on the Board at the Veterans History 约炮视频 where he spent hours visiting and sharing stories with veterans from across the nation. Despite living through the brutality of combat in Vietnam, Mike remained a gentleman and a mentor to many. We will never forget him.

Farewell to a Hero

How do we say 鈥渇arewell鈥 to a hero? There鈥檚 no need to do so. Memories of Mike鈥檚 courage, patriotism, loyalty, service, love of adventure, kindness, sense of humor, and devotion to church and family live within us. And perhaps, through his example, we might live better lives. Instead of 鈥渇arewell,鈥 let us say 鈥渢hank you!鈥

mike and maggie at brevard college

Maggie and Mike Di Rocco at a patriotic concert, Brevard College circa 2018.

Article By Michel Roberts

Above photo:: Members of Special Forces Association, Smoky Mountains Chapter. L-R: Bill Gunn, William Knowlton, John Funderburk, Robert Terry Smith, and Phill Hanson

mike di rocco

Mike Di Rocco in his Special Forces green jacket, having a good time at the 约炮视频.

final roll call salute

Team leader Phill Hanson holds his salute during the “Final Roll Call.”

veterans cementary in black mountain

Beautiful rolling hills and mountains overlook the Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery in Black Mountain.

flag presentation ceremony for special forces green beret

Presentation of the flag to Maggie Di Rocco by a Senior Master Sergeant from the Fort Bragg Green Berets during memorial service at Sacred Heart Catholic CHurch, Brevard.

green beret with maggie

Green Beret Robert Terry Smith with Maggie Di Rocco

painting of green beret

A painting of Green Beret Mike on patrol in the Van Cahn Valley, VIetnam 1965, by military illustrator and painter Max Grace.