Paratrooper's 20 years of service

Sean Michael Lee served over two decades in the Army as a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division, deploying to Iraq and Afghanistan before dedicating his post-military life to helping others.

“His entire life was in service to others. Up until the very end, Sean was always thinking of others.”

Joined Independence Fund to keep serving

After military service, Lee joined the Independence Fund nonprofit, which supports wounded veterans. Deputy COO Steven Rozina said Lee immediately took him under his wing to teach him how to help others.

Evacuated thousands of Afghan allies

In fall 2021, Lee answered the call to help evacuate thousands of Afghan allies and people who worked with the U.S. military during the withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Helped rescue Fox News reporter

When Russia invaded Ukraine, Lee went to Poland to set up aid stations and supply lines. He coordinated rescue efforts that brought Fox News correspondent Benjamin Hall home after a Russian attack wounded him near Kyiv.

“Sean was never the guy on the front page of the paper, but he was always there.”

Stayed in mountains after Helene

When Hurricane Helene devastated North Carolina in 2024, Lee drove to the mountains within hours. While others left after helping, Lee stayed in tents, rebuilding homes and a family store for communities in need.

Planning next mission until the end

Lee died Tuesday from cancer caused by toxic burn pit exposure during Middle East deployments. Days before his death, he was texting plans for responding to future hurricanes and incorporating veterans into emergency relief.

The 'send me' ethos lives on

Rozina said Lee embodied a 'send me' ethos, always volunteering for the next mission. Lee's final message was that any help matters: do what you can, do your best, and do it with a grateful heart.

“Any help is still help. You might feel like you're not doing much, but doing something means a lot.”