A Soldier's Grave

Philadelphia Inquirer ^ | May 23, 2006 | Thomas Lipscomb

[WaterDragon]

On a pleasant hillside in the Vacaville-Elmira cemetery in California, there is a grave that still has no gravestone almost two years after a brave young soldier was buried there.

According to his mother, he was born on Memorial Day and died at age 24 on April 4, 2004, fighting with the First Cavalry Division in a militia- and terrorist-infested district of Baghdad named Sadr City. He was not an unknown soldier. In fact, thanks to his mother's constant use of his name in media appearances, he may be the best-known soldier of the Iraqi war. He's Casey Austin Sheehan, the son of antiwar activist Cindy Sheehan.

The expense of a memorial gravestone is a problem for many people on limited incomes. But Cindy Sheehan was the beneficiary of $250,000 from her son's insurance policy. Besides, the federal government pays for funeral expenses and a simple marble marker. As a veteran, Casey Sheehan also merited a free plot with perpetual care in one of the nation's many national cemeteries.

Some pretty famous military figures have chosen to use that simple GI marble gravestone. The great heavyweight boxing champion Joe Louis and Gen. George C. Marshall, commander of U.S. forces in World War II and later secretary of state, clearly felt that they deserved no more attention than any other veteran at rest under the trees at Arlington.

So with all of these resources, why is Casey Sheehan's grave still unmarked?....

[Jeff Head]

He was a hero...despite and in spite of his mother's un-American antics before his death, and her traitorous ones after.

I wonder why his father, who split up with Sindee Ali-Shehan, hasn't gotten one put up?

[SE Mom]

Poignant..beyond words.

You're not forgotten, Soldier.

[SteveMcKing]

That woman has crossed the line so many times. Even for a loon, there are some places that should be off-limits.

Calling him a virgin was plain wicked. Nobody's business anyway, and it doesn't purify him by saying that. She was just smearing his manhood, like she does the entire military.

[travlnmn41]

We should have carpet bombed Sadr City, that f*cking rat hole. We lost 8 good men that day.

[xzins]

As much as I can't stand Cindy Sheehan, my position as pastor and chaplain says I should be cautious picking on reasons people do different things regarding funerals and graves.

I wouldn't touch this one.

She could mark the grave with popsicle sticks and elmer's glue and people will always give the benefit of the doubt to a grieving family.

[nothingnew]

...and people will always give the benefit of the doubt to a grieving family.

It's been over two years Chaplain, and lots of road trips in between to spout idiotic and hateful rhetoric....she had my benefit of the doubt for too long.

FMCDH(BITS)

[Doctor Raoul]

Congress increased that $250,000 to $400,000 and he had the GI Insurance for $100,000. That alone is a HALF MILLION.

And the divorce papers call out a Prudential policy.

But Cindy did find money for a new VW convertible.

[xzins]

If you were a candidate for some office, and I were your advisor, I'd say to you: "Keep quiet on this one. It's a no win situation."

However, if NothingNew wants to opine as a free US citizen based on his distaste for Ms Sheehan, then he can join ranks with this chaplain who thinks Sheehan is pure phony and money motivated.

[Doctor Raoul]

Respectfully disagree. She's blatently pulled at the heart strings of the American public as a mother who grieves her child. Presenting herself as a simple honest soul beyond gile or tricks, full of sincerity. As some one just like Mr or Mrs America.

Well here's where she doesn't live up to her own billing.

[GW and Twins Pawpaw]

My guess is she doesn't have much of the insurance proceeds left to her name. I'll bet she spent the money like stinky stuff through a goose...

[WaterDragon]

I wonder why his father, who split up with Sindee Ali-Shehan, hasn't gotten one put up?

The end of this short article provides info on what Casey's father has done about the gravestone.

[Jeff Head]

Thanks...very glad to see this:

The good news is that Casey Sheehan's father, Patrick, has had enough of this and has quietly arranged with a local monument company to erect a memorial. Wouldn't it be fitting if it were in place in time for Casey Sheehan's birthday, which this year once again falls on Memorial Day?

[sgtbono2002]

***The good news is that Casey Sheehan's father, Patrick, has had enough of this and has quietly arranged with a local monument company to erect a memorial. ****

What a cross this man has to bear. He lost his son and has to admit to once being married to a woman addicted to publicity. An ugly mother too. Ugly to the bone.

[sig226]

Among other things, she bought a convertible Beetle with it.

[D1X1E]

I despise the woman and everything she is about.
I think:
She was anti military even before Casey was killed.
She has used him to put herself in all our faces.
She has displayed nothing but disrespect for him.
This hero should have had a headstone long ago.

But even with all that, I dont think its my business to question what anyone outside my family does or does not do regarding a headstone for their family member.

I can however hope and I hope that the father has done whatever the rest of the family wants for Casey.

[nothingnew]

...then he can join ranks with this chaplain who thinks Sheehan is pure phony and money motivated.

Amen, Chaplain, Amen.

FMCDH(BITS)