The family of Michael “Mike” Meoli has invited the Patriot Guard Riders to be present to honor their hero for his service to his country. It will be our privilege to do so.
Mike passed away on 14 November 2024 in the intensive care unit of the City Hospital in Kyiv, Ukraine, his adopted second country. His death was the result of a motor vehicle accident in that city several days earlier.
Mike was born in New York City, but moved to San Diego, California as a child and grew up there. He is survived by his sister Marcia Smith, his daughter Nicole Marie Josselyn, and his three sons: Luke, Mark, and Jamie. Mike was immensely proud that all three of his sons followed in his footsteps and served their country in the Navy.
Mike graduated from Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training with Class 79. During his 20 years in the SEAL teams, he was assigned to UDT 11, UDT 12, SEAL Team Three, SEAL Team 17, and COMNAVSPECWARGRU One, serving in both the active and reserve components of Naval Special Warfare. In addition to his duties as a SEAL operator in direct action combat missions, Chief Petty Officer Meoli provided Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) training to the militaries of several countries around the world, including Sri Lanka, South Korea, Pakistan, Iraq, and Ukraine.
In his civilian life, Mike was a Firefighter/Paramedic in the San Diego Fire and Rescue Department for over 40 years until his retirement in 2018. Working in that capacity, he was one of the originators of the Special Tactics and Rescue (STAR) team, which still provides tactical medical support to the San Diego Police Department and federal SWAT teams. As featured in the TOCCC book "Tell Them Yourself," Mike was instrumental in bringing about the introduction of lifesaving TCCC techniques to the State of California and the San Diego County Law Enforcement and Tactical EMS communities. He was a meticulous record-keeper and documented numerous law enforcement officers' lives being saved with TCCC interventions.
When Russia invaded Crimea in 2014, Mike was training the Ukrainian military in TCCC, and he fell in love with the Ukrainian people and their cause. He was passionate about providing the Ukrainians with TCCC training and traveled to that country repeatedly over the ensuing years. After the 2022 full Russian invasion, Mike spent over 70% of his time in Ukraine. At the time of his death, Mike was the Medical Director for TCCC training for the Ukrainian military.
Working through the auspices of the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT), Mike established a network of twelve TCCC training centers throughout Ukraine. Mike personally trained his cadre of instructors and built strong bonds with Ukrainian medics, physicians, and soldiers. By the time of his death, the NAEMT TCCC training network that he had helped to build had been responsible for training over 14,000 Ukrainian medics and soldiers. His passion for helping the Ukrainian military to save the lives of their combat wounded was invaluable to their military effort against the Russians. Mike's medical training was responsible for saving many hundreds of Ukrainian lives in that conflict. This TCCC training program has been recognized in medical publications - and intercepted Russian documents - as a strategic factor in the protracted Russo-Ukrainian War because of its contributions to preserving the Ukraine military's fighting force.
Mike's faith was strong. When asked how he was doing, he would always reply: "One day closer to heaven."
Mike's untiring efforts, positive attitude, and indomitable spirit left a lasting impression on everyone he met. In the words of his good friend and mentor, former US Surgeon General, Vice Admiral (ret) Richard Carmona: "Mike may be gone, but he will never be forgotten."
NOTE: This mission posting facilitates your voluntary participation in honoring this Military Veteran. For those interested, all PGR members are welcome. This mission is a Flag Line of Honor at Miramar National Cemetery. Please see the timetable if you would like to participate.
Timetable for Thursday December 5th, 20241100 - Stage at Miramar National Cemetery, 5795 Nobel Dr, San Diego, CA 92122
https://maps.app.goo.gl/gef3WuuAHqBuXsCa8 1115 - Mission Briefing
1130 - Flag Line of Honor for our hero’s arrival
1200 - Flag Line of Honor, Funeral Service with Military Honors Miramar National Cemetery
Stacey McCarthy “Lil Bit”
SoCal PGR Regional Captain(619)277-5176
You do not have to be a Veteran or a motorcycle rider to attend this mission. All PGR members are welcome. We encourage those who do not ride to attend in your car. If this is your first mission, go to the initial staging area, and you will be briefed by the R/C (Ride Captain). Dress for motorcycle riding or wear casual attire while driving a cage (car). Please feel free to attend any portion of this mission you can. Please ride/drive safely.
Remember that our mission is to stand tall and silent with honor and respect for our Heroes—no talking, smoking, or cell phone use during the flag line or service. Please keep radios off and engine noise to a minimum. Show respect to all who are there, not just the ones we honor.
