Orthodox Christian Navy SEAL killed in Afghanistan to be laid to rest in Minnesota
A visitation for Chief Petty Offier John Weston Faas, 31, one of 22 Navy SEALs killed with eight other US troops when their helicopter was shot down in Afghanistan on August 6, 2011, will be held at Holy Trinity Church [OCA], 956 Forest St., St. Paul, from 6:30 until 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 21.
A parishioner of Holy Trinity Church, Faas is the second known Minnesota casualty of the attack. He was a 1998 graduate of Minnehaha Academy, where he was co-valedictorian of his class and captain and quarterback of the football team.
“John was a man of unquestionable integrity and courage, as were those he served with,” his family said in a statement released to the St. Paul Pioneer Press. “He became a SEAL to serve his country and to make the world a better place for those less fortunate. John made the ultimate sacrifice while protecting the ideals of our nation; while doing a job he loved and while serving with the people he loved. Although his life was tragically cut short, his spirit will live on in his family and friends, and the brave men who served by his side until his death.”
He is survived by his parents, Gretchen and Robert Faas of Minneapolis; aunts, uncles and cousins.
Interment will take place at Fort Snelling Cemetery at 2:30 p.m. The Funeral will be celebrated at the cemetery chapel at noon. A reception will follow at Minnehaha Academy North Campus, 3100 West River Parkway, Minneapolis, MN.
May John’s memory be eternal!