Army Veteran Sean Michael Lee, Who Aided Afghan Evacuees and Rescued Reporter, Dies at 50
Lee, an 82nd Airborne paratrooper, continued his service after military retirement, assisting in international crises and natural disaster relief.
Army veteran Sean Michael Lee, who dedicated his post-military career to helping others in crisis zones and disaster areas, died Tuesday from cancer attributed to toxic burn pit exposure during his service in the Middle East. He was 50.
Lee, an Army paratrooper with more than 20 years of experience, including deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, continued his commitment to service after retirement. Steven Rozina, deputy chief operating officer for the Independence Fund, described Lee as someone whose life was defined by service.
"His entire life was in service to others. Up until the very end, Sean was always thinking of others," Rozina told Fox News Digital. Lee joined the Independence Fund, which supports wounded veterans, after his military career to continue this mission.
Lee's humanitarian efforts spanned continents. In 2021, he was involved in the evacuation of thousands of Afghan allies following the fall of Afghanistan. Shortly after, he traveled to Poland after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, where he helped establish aid stations and supply lines. During his time in Poland, Lee was instrumental in organizing the rescue of Fox News reporter Benjamin Hall, who was severely injured by a Russian attack while covering the war near Kyiv. Lee worked with the nonprofit Save Our Allies to facilitate Hall's safe return.
In 2024, Lee responded to the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene in his home state of North Carolina. He traveled to the western mountains, which were particularly hard-hit, to assist in recovery efforts. Rozina recalled sleeping in cars with Lee and helping set up aid for affected communities. While many others returned home, Lee remained, living in tents and helping rebuild homes and community structures, including a vital family store.
Despite battling cancer from his exposure to toxic burn pits, Lee remained focused on future aid efforts. Rozina shared a text message from Lee dated shortly before his death, detailing plans for future hurricane responses and earthquake preparedness, emphasizing efficiency and expanding reach.
Lee's philosophy, often summarized by the phrase "send me," was about being prepared and ready to act. He aimed to incorporate the veteran community into broader aid efforts, spreading his spirit of service.
Rozina emphasized Lee's impact, stating, "He has blessed a lot of deserving people and I know that his memory is is not going to fade." He added that Lee's final message to the world was that "any help is still help," encouraging people to do what they can with a grateful heart.