As the Fourth of July holiday nears, the stars and stripes of the American flag will be seen flying from flagpoles, porches, and windows. Red, white, and blue-themed parades, fireworks, barbeques, and other summertime traditions are enjoyed with families and friends. It’s a time to reflect on and celebrate the liberty and opportunities we enjoy here in the USA and feel a sense of pride and patriotism to be an American, knowing many men and women have sacrificed to keep us free and safe.
Armada resident PFC Michael Giannattasio suddenly died during basic Marines Reconnaissance training on August 30, 2017, at the age of twenty-two. Michael completed Basic Training on April 21, 2017, with Platoon 3028, India Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion at Parris Island, SC where he earned the company’s highest physical fitness and combat fitness score of 600 out of 600 points. After basic training, Michael’s next assignment was to Reconnaissance Training Company, Advanced Infantry Training Battalion, Camp Pendleton, CA. He passed his swim tests at the top of his class, where many Marines drop, and on the third day, with one more land navigation point to accomplish, he suddenly collapsed. While Michael’s cause of death is still undetermined, he was known throughout his life - especially in the Marines - for giving his all. Mike’s performance in the Marines was a reflection of how he had always pursued life, striving constantly to be the best, and always pushing his limits. Michael also graduated from the prestigious Catholic boarding school Notre Dame de la Salette High School in Olivet, Illinois in 2014, where he ran cross country and played rugby. Michael was presented the “Devotion to Duty” award and was an All-State rugby player during his Senior Year.
In his honor and memory, his family and friends created the Iron Mike Foundation, which raises funds for educational and special needs programs and also keeps the spirit and memory of fallen Marines like Mike and others alive. Michael had a great tenderness in his heart for his younger brother, Louis, who is severely cognitively impaired. Through the Iron Mike Foundation, charitable funds each quarter are donated so others get special therapies for their unique needs. The name for the foundation originated with Michael earning the “Iron Man” award for his boot training during his time at Parris Island, South Carolina.
“Michael died and I had no idea how to handle it. Everyone handles grief differently,” said Michael’s mother, Jane Giannattasio, the founder and chairperson for the Iron Mike Foundation. After reading through a book about death, grief, and how to channel one's loss in various ways, Jane knew she had to do something to continue the legacy Mike had started. “I like to talk about Michael. After he died, I liked the idea of a foundation where I could do something to put my energy into something positive, and I knew even in his death he could be an example for others. He set the bar high for others, and I would do that for him. Kids need a role model and someone to look up to; those strong characters for someone to read about and say, 'I want to be like them' ".
The foundation’s main fundraiser is the Iron Mike 5K, held annually in Armada. This year’s race will be on Saturday, August 10. The race will start and finish at Armada Township Park. Race start time is 8:30 am and registration will open at 7:00 am. Online registration is also available. All finishers will receive an event t-shirt, finisher award, and post-race food. Awards will be given to top overall male and female finishers as well as age group winners. The event will be hosting a raffle prize drawing with great donations from local businesses and organizations (you must be present to win). 100% of the 5K proceeds will benefit the Iron Mike Foundation in its mission to support educational programs and special needs therapies. Last year, the foundation was able to give away approximately $10,000 to those in need.
“Sometimes we take donated equipment and give it out and help those that need it, along with scholarships for special schools or programs,” Jane affirmed. “Special needs kids sometimes need out-of-the-box therapies that cost thousands upon thousands of dollars not covered by insurance. We’ve seen kids make dramatic improvements with some of the support we can offer for services outside of physical therapy and occupational therapy.”
According to the Iron Mike Foundation website, "Michael was a true leader; he gave his all and then motivated others to do the same. He set high standards for himself, his fellow Marines, and others. Michael was always a force for the good, keeping everyone around him positive and motivated." His former roommate Zachary Poster had these words to share about Mike: “If I had to describe the kind of man Mike was, it would be with the line in the RECON Creed, ‘Never shall I forget the principles I accepted to become a RECON Marine, honor, perseverance, spirit and heart.’ Mike embodied these four traits, even before knowing the creed. Through the many strenuous exercises throughout the course, he gave 100%, no matter how tired, sore, and broken he was…...spirit and heart......well that's easy to have seen from him. He kept everyone positive and motivated. When we heard of his passing, we knew we weren't doing it for ourselves anymore. We were doing it for him!"
His commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel David Handy, expressed his gratitude for Mike’s life and character in these compelling words in Mike’s eulogy: “PFC Michael Giannattasio is exactly the kind of great American that the Marine Corps salutes. He was intelligent and he was in exceptional shape. He was aggressive and athletic. He participated in cross country and was an All-State rugby player in his senior year at high school; he’s the kind of guy we want. He volunteered for the most demanding training pipeline the Marine Corps offers, to become a Reconnaissance Marine. And his vision focused on being the best Reconnaissance Marine he could be. He received top marks in all training units. He continued to achieve the highest scores on physical tests as he did in boot camp—he qualified as an expert marksman and passed the water survival course with an advanced qualification in the pool. He passed the basic reconnaissance power course with ease. He was a novel Marine, a successful student, and a good friend to his fellow students in his fraternity class. I have never known a private first class, still in training, who has positively affected so many. Many people [will never] positively affect so many others in the course of their lifelong career.”
“Michael loved the brotherhood of the Marines,” Jane recalls. “At his funeral reception, his trainers said he would return from the finish line after he was done with his training segment and return to the guys who weren’t done yet. He’d go back, encourage them, and run through with them until they were done, too.”
On August 10, you can run or walk to honor Mike’s legacy and help his exemplary character and spirit live on as it continues to serve others. Consider using this race as an opportunity to show your gratitude for our fallen heroes and to encourage and help those in need of extra support as they face obstacles and challenges, just like Iron Mike.
Semper Fidelis.
For race info or to register, visit https://eastsideracing.enmotive.com/events/register/2024-ironmike-5k-run-walk
You can find more information about the Iron Mike Foundation at their website: https://ironmikefoundation.com/
You can also donate to the foundation at https://ironmikefoundation.com/donations/donate-now/.
*Special thanks to Jane Giannattasio and the Iron Mike Foundation for permission to share media and contributing quotes and information for the writing of this article.
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