Navy SEAL Nicholas P. Spehar Memorial Highway

Navy SEAL Nicholas P. Spehar Memorial Highway. . , SO2 Navy SEAL, Nicholas P. Spehar, was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota on October 19, 1986. Although his parents consider all of their children miracles, Nicholas became known as their "miracle child" because of his traumatic birth. Once Nick got out of the neonatal ICU there was never a dull or slow moment! Nicholas approached life with great vigor and curiosity and truly lived every moment to the fullest., Nicholas had a deep love for his family and his devotion to his parents and siblings was unparalleled. Nicholas expressed his love for his family in many ways. He had a symbol of each member of the family tattooed on his body. Nicholas was known by his family and friends as a man with deep faith and love for God, a man with a great sense of humor and a deep devotion and love for those in his life, particularly his family. Nicholas had a love for art, poetry and music. Invictus, by William Ernest Henley, was among his favorites., Growing up in Chisago City, MN, he was known as an outstanding athlete and student. He was also known, amongst the community, as a dependable and caring young man who looked for opportunities to serve and contribute to the lives of those he encountered. After graduating, from Chisago Lakes High School, Nicholas worked as a laborer for a local construction company. He worked on both the Chisago City Hwy 8 Project and the Center City Hwy 8 Project., Nicholas enlisted in the Navy in 2007. SO2 Spehar graduated basic underwater demolitions/SEAL (BUD/S) training and SEAL qualification training with Class 267. Nicholas was deployed to the Philippines and to Yemen in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Immediately upon his return from Yemen Nicholas volunteered for a deployment in Afghanistan., On August 6, 2011 Nicholas was killed in action while conducting operations in the Wardak Province of Afghanistan. SO2 Nicholas Spehar was an exceptional United States Navy SEAL. He was a leader by example, a tireless worker, and an elite warrior who was respected by his teammates., The Chisago City community members wanted to honor Nicholas Spehar for his ultimate sacrifice. They proposed that a section of Highway 8, running through the Chisago Lakes community, be renamed to the Nicholas P. Spehar Memorial Highway. On May 6, 2014 the Minnesota State Senate passed a law that officially re-named an eight-mile section of Highway 8 to the Navy SEAL Nicholas P. Spehar Memorial Highway., Nicholas lived his life for the love of God, family and friends. He loved serving his country as a Navy SEAL. The family remembers the words of Nicholas when asked why he became a Navy SEAL; he answered, without hesitation,, "I do it for you.".