Morgan Daly's memorial bench. PC: Fox 11 Online
MANITOWOC, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Operation Creekside made a special delivery on Friday to the mother of a Manitowoc soldier who lost his battle with mental illness after his military service.
Morgan Daly committed suicide in 2016 at the age of 20, just a year and a half after achieving his dream of becoming a United States Marine.
Daly’s mother, Shanen, said her son became hooked on the idea of joining the Corps when he was around 10 years old.
“However, his time in the service brought on struggles that he battled and continued to battle once he was discharged… On December 1, 2016, his struggles became too much and came to an end as he went peacefully to rest,” reads a tribute Shanen Daly wrote to her son on the NAMI Manitowoc County “Honor a Loved One” memory wall.
On Friday, a custom-made bench designed by Daly’s family was delivered to Shanen Daly’s home in Manitowoc as part of a collaboration between two veteran organizations.
California-based Operation Creekside manufactures and delivers the benches, working with 22 Too Many — a non-profit in Maryland focused on military suicide awareness and prevention.
The number 22 signifies the number of service members who commit suicide in the United States every day.
“Our mission, with this trailer, we have memorial benches inside. We build these beautiful memorial benches for the families of soldiers that have lost the battle with PTSD and have taken their own lives,” explained Ed McClelland, who founded Operation Creekside and serves as the chaplain for 22 Too Many. “We deliver these benches nationwide.”
The Manitowoc Police Department and a group of Harley Davidson motorcycles escorted the trailer carrying Daly’s bench to his mother’s home, where it was presented to his family.
“I instantly started crying. It was very heart touching, very emotional. Sad at the same time. Bittersweet,” Shanen Daly said.
“This bench represents the sacrifice that my son gave. It represents Morgan. His honor, his commitment, his sacrifice, his courage. His dedication, his loyalty.”
Operation Creekside is set to deliver two more benches to fallen soldiers’ families in Michigan over the weekend.
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