Last week, the funeral for Navy SEAL Kyle Milliken, who was killed during a U.S. raid in Somalia on May 5, was held in Norfolk, Va. Patriots quarterback Tom Brady didn't attend the funeral in person, but he still offered his condolences to Milliken's family.
According to the Boston Herald's Bill Speros, Brady recorded a video message for the family, in which he thanked Milliken's family and talked about how Milliken, 38, was called a "glue guy" by his college track coach. The reason Brady recorded the message? Milliken and the Patriots actually go way back.
As Speros reported, Gillette Stadium hosted Milliken and his fellow Navy SEALs for a training exercise in 2011. After, Brady and Bill Belichick met with the SEALs, including Milliken. Brady and Milliken took a photo, which you can see at the Herald's website.
"It was an honor to host Kyle and his team for an exercise at Gillette Stadium in 2011. It gave new meaning to the stadium being known as home of the Patriots. We were deeply saddened to hear of Kyle's death earlier this month," Patriots owner Robert Kraft told the Herald in a statement. "As Memorial Day weekend approaches, we are reminded of the sacrifices made by patriots like Kyle and so many others who have made the ultimate sacrifice to defend and protect our rights as Americans. Our thoughts, prayers and heartfelt appreciation are extended to the Milliken family and the many families who will be remembering lives lost this Memorial Day weekend."
Milliken was killed in an operation earlier this month that targeted a leader of al-Shabaab, an al Qaeda-linked terrorist group. According to CBS News, the Navy SEALs got caught in a firefight, in which two SEALs were wounded and Milliken was killed. Milliken is the first American military casualty in Somalia since 1993, when 18 service members lost their lives in what is commonly known as the "Black Hawk Down" mission.
Milliken, a 15-year veteran, is survived by his wife, son, and daughter.
