WATCH: Fund-Raising Event for Retired Army Ranger Mike Sonnenschein Was Big Success

Sonnenschein was ambushed and sustained serious injuries to his lung and spinal column

ABOVE AND BELOW: A Rally/Fundraiser for Mike Sonnenschein, a retired Army Ranger with impeccable credentials and is a true American Hero, was held Tuesday evening in Viera. The Friday Night Locker Room’s Orville Susong and Steve Wilson were on hand with the post-event report.

WATCH: Mike Sonnenschein is a retired Army Ranger with impeccable credentials and is a true American Hero. Last May, the Sonnenschein’s were ambushed by an attacker. Mike sustained a gunshot wound and sustained serious injuries to his lung and spinal column. An upcoming event set for June 22 at the USSSA Space Coast Complex in Viera will raise funds to go to Sonnenschein and his family.

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – A Rally/Fundraiser for Mike Sonnenschein, a retired Army Ranger with impeccable credentials and is a true American Hero, was held Tuesday evening in Viera. The Friday Night Locker Room’s Orville Susong and Steve Wilson were on hand with the post-event report, which can be viewed above.

Sonnenschein began his career in A co 3/75, and in 1989 won the Best Ranger Competition. He has served with distinction in multiple combat operations and was in the service for more than 20 years.

Sonnenschein made his way to Brevard County as an instructor with the Florida Tech ROTC team in Melbourne. After a successful stint at Florida Tech, he moved to the high school ranks, helping his good friend, retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Tim Thomas, start the Viera High School Army JROTC program.

In 2016, Mike and his wife, Hope, made the life-changing decision to move to Haiti to work as missionaries. Calvary Chapel, the Sonnenschein’s church, was their sponsor.

Last May, the Sonnenschein’s were ambushed by an attacker. Mike sustained a gunshot wound and sustained serious injuries to his lung and spinal column. He was initially flown to Tulane Medical Center in New Orleans, and after a two-week stay, he was taken to Atlanta and is currently undergoing rehabilitation at the Shepherd Center.

Sonnenschein is a man of faith and he and Hope have a strong set of Christian values.

When talking about Mike Sonnenschein, the man, Col. Thomas said, “he is one of the most unselfish people I have ever met in my life.”

He went on to say, one of the most impressive things about Mike is, “he had so many badges, he was a Ranger, he was a Pathfinder, he was a master parachutist with a gold star, he had several combat-infantry badges, but the most important badge that Mike wore was that of being a Christ-follower.”

Sonnenschein is such a positive influence on those with whom he comes into contact. Everything he does in the community is about letting people see the love of Christ in his life.

His wife Hope said it best when talking about the attack.

“It’s hard to put everything that has happened the last two weeks into adequate words,” said Hope.

“It was a terrible thing to go through, and yet we are OK because God has truly carried us through. We honestly have no anger. We have hope knowing that this will not be wasted. God always has a purpose.”

The Fundraiser Event was held Tuesday, June 22, at the USSSA Space Coast Complex and speakers include Brevard County Sherriff Wayne Ivey, Col. Danny McKnight U.S. Army (Ret.), Lt. Col. Tim Thomas, U.S. Army (Ret.), Pastor Dave Barnes – Calvary Chapel, Capt. Donn Weaver U.S. Army (Ret.), David “Boon” Benton (13 Hours in Benghazi), Shannon Newton (Mike Sonnenschein’s sister-in-law), Pastor TJ Buckingham – Calvary Chapel

■ To contribute to the family – Gofundme.com/Mike Sonnenschein
■ To contribute via check or cash, please send your donation to MOAACC, Good Deeds Foundation – Ranger Mike Fund, P.O. Box 560023, Rockledge, Florida 32956-0023

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