Community Corner

Wounded Soldier Says 'Freedom Is Not Free'

Although 28-year-old Retired Army Sgt Michael Verardo of Middletown was severely wounded in Afghanistan, love and faith keep him strong. A motorcycle ride is scheduled of June 9 to raise awareness and funds for Verardo.


Retired Army Sgt. Michael Verardo, of Middletown, has sacrificed more than any 28-year-old man should have to endure. When asked if he would do it again, he answered “in a second.”  


On April 24, 2010, while deployed in Afghanistan, Verardo was injured from an improvised explosive device that ripped off his lower left leg, part of his left arm and severely burned his body. 

Despite injuries that left him with lost limbs, brain damage, loss of hearing, and wounds that are still not healed today, Verardo’s story is about love, faith and survival. 

Verardo explained that soldiers recognize that freedom is not free. “I did not lose a leg. I did not lose an arm. I gave them.”

“There are so many widows that would give anything to be in my shoes,” said his fiancé Sarah Conklin.  “War doesn’t build character, it reveals it. That is so true for Michael,” she said. Verardo pointed out in his brigade, 37 soldiers did not come home.

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Just weeks before he was injured, Verardo put his hand on Specialist Joseph T. Caron’s coffin, and vowed to they would get the guys who killed him.

He was never able to fulfill that promise.

Humble and soft-spoken, Verado recalled the day he almost died.  “There were multiple explosions,” said Verardo. “I remember a flash. Pain. Blacking out. Then being dragged.”

“They didn’t think he was going to make it,” said Conklin, as she gently took his hand away from his leg, that itched from a staph infection.

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The medic worked for 27 minutes to stop Verardo's bleeding before the wounded soldier could be airlifted out for medical treatment.

Verardo was placed in a medically induced coma and when he woke up, he realized he had survived.  “I thought, this is not heaven — this is not hell.”  

It was at that time that he decided he would fight to heal and return home and marry Conklin, the only girl he’s ever dated. The couple met as students at St. Andrew's School in Barrington. Their wedding is scheduled for this fall.  


Returning Home

After dozens of surgeries over the course of two years, Verardo was finally able to return back to Rhode Island last December.  The couple said the adjustment to civilian life in Rhode Island has been difficult.  

“In Texas, I was a rarity, having two legs,” said Conklin. “They are set up for that. In Rhode Island, we came home to a VA with a far older average customer. They are dealing with World War II or Vietnam Veterans.”

In Rhode Island, there is only one other veteran that lost a limb in the recent wars. “They didn’t rally around him the way I had hoped, the way he had deserved,” Conklin said.  

Conklin serves as his full-time caregiver, assisting in tasks such as cutting his food, helping him shower, dress and take his medicine.

“We are in no man's land," said Conklin. We aren’t active army.  We are about 50 years younger than retired army in this community.”  

Although they have experienced culture shock, groups like the Viking Riders and people such as Matt Carlow of Carlow Orthopedics, have provided the same level of support they had grown accustomed to in Texas.  

"Viking Riders gave us such an amazing welcome home that it truly felt Texas sized," said Conklin. She referred to Viking Riders president Tommy Ney as "Santa Claus."

"Whatever we need, he has a suggestion, an answer and a way to get it done," said Conklin. "And Matt, well I don't think anyone, including Mike, was happier than Matt was when Mike was up and walking on his new leg. He helped us deal with the VA and went so above and beyond. He's in the process of making Mike a swim leg now, which is so exciting," she said.

Like so many soldiers who have experienced combat, Verardo wakes up screaming and suffers from PTSD, which doctor’s say he will struggle with for the rest of his life.

“This is a tough season,” Conklin said. “Our house isn’t remotely accessible. It’s a tough season, that’s what I keep saying.”  

Verardo said he feels he has lost his identity as a soldier, which is the most painful consequence of the injuries. “I had wanted to be in the Army for so long, and in a second it was over,” he said.

The couple said although the experience has been more difficult than they could have imagined, faith and their love for each other keep them positive.   

“We have to do things in our relationship that we would have never planned for," said Conklin. "We are stronger because of it."

June 9 Motorcycle Run

On Sunday, June 9 there is a motorcycle ride sponsored by Veterans Helping Veterans at the VFW Post 9404 at 29 South Main Street in Coventry. Aquidneck Island riders will meet at the All Vets Club in Middletown at 9 a.m. Middletown Police will escort riders to Coventry. There will also be a van available to transport non-riders.  See the attached flyer for details.

Conklin is seeking raffle and auction items for the event.  If you would like to donate, email Patch editor Olga Enger at olga.enger@patch.com for Conklin's contact information.


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