Pat Sheehan Continues Son Casey Legacy
Pat Sheehan, the father of Army Spc. Casey Sheehan who was killed in action in Iraq in 2004. (Brad Zweerink/Daily Republic)
VACAVILLE — Casey Sheehan would have been 32 Sunday. Instead, his father, Pat Sheehan, plans to attend a Memorial Day remembrance ceremony, not a birthday party.
Casey Sheehan died in Iraq on April 4, 2004. He was killed in action after volunteering to be part of a force to rescue American troops.
It was a day that forever changed Pat Sheehan's life, as well as that of his now ex-wife Cindy Sheehan and their three children.
Cindy Sheehan camped out at President G. W. Bush's ranch in Crawford, Texas in August, 2005 to protest the war and Bush's war policies. She has become a controversial symbol of the anti-war movement.
"I'll talk about Casey at the drop of a hat," Pat Sheehan said. "I know what I went through and if there is something I can say or do to help another person in a similar situation find hope . . . "
"It does get better," he said, adding that going back to work helped him. Understanding co-workers were there to support him, he added.
Friends were also there for him.
Bob Volmer of Vacaville's Downtown Improvement District has been extremely helpful, Sheehan said. The two met when Volmer was the Scoutmaster of Casey Sheehan's Boy Scout troop.
"Bob would tell me, 'you know we are going to do this one day at a time. If that doesn't work, we'll do it an hour at a time. If that's doesn't work, we'll do it a minute at a time.'" Sheehan said. "That's the way I've looked at it."
It's that friendship with Volmer that keeps Sheehan grounded and occupied.
Sheehan and his girlfriend can be found helping out at downtown Vacaville events.
He's also discovered the joy in being a grandfather of three. The oldest is 3. The fourth one is due, ironically, on Sept. 11.
At the same time, there's a bittersweet feeling.
Sheehan feels his son probably would have been a dad by now.
He's knows his are missing out on a lot by not knowing their uncle Casey. In turn, Casey would be crazy about his nephews and niece, his father said.
The grandchildren have helped bring a more cordial tone to his interactions with his ex-wife," he said.
"Sometimes it seems like seven weeks, sometimes it seems like seven decades," Sheehan said of the time that has passed. "So much has happened since then."
Including the death of Osama bin Laden.
"It's just one more death. It doesn't make a lot of difference to me. It's of little solace to me," he said.
Sheehan does not the support the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"I was hopeful when Obama was elected that he would take a stronger position about de-escalating the troops," he said.
Shuffling troops around isn't the answer, Sheehan added.
"We are still there and things are intensifying in Afghanistan. I'm disappointed it's (the war) not over. "
He backs the troops fully.
"One thing I've said over the years is I've never questioned we need a standing Army. I just question where we make that Army stand," he said
Sheehan doesn't agree with the notion that bringing soldiers home would mean his son died in vain.
"Casey made a conscious decision. He volunteered. Nothing can change that. Nothing can tarnish that," he said.
Sheehan carries a picture of his son in his wallet. At home, in his nightstand, is a an engineer's hat his son wore as a Boy Scout in southern California.
One of Casey's uniforms is now at home in the Concord Veteran's Center.
"It's much easier to deal with Casey the soldier, than Casey the little boy," Sheehan said, adding that he really didn't know much about his son's life in the military.
From one of Casey's officers, he learned his son was considered the unit's "go-to guy" because they knew he would get the job done and do it right."
Casey Sheehan's first choice in the military was to become a chaplain's assistant. That job wasn't available, so he became a wheel mechanic.
Pat Sheehan found it rather amusing, say he had a "hard time getting him to change the oil in his car."
Visiting his son's grave in the Vacaville-Elmira Cemetery is very peaceful for Sheehan. He can see Burger City, one of Casey's favorite places to eat, as well as the Vacaville Performing Arts Theatre. Casey Sheehan earned his associate's degree in drama from Solano Community College.
One the back of the headstone several emblems are engraved including that of Van Halen, Casey's favorite group.
"Sometimes when I'm feeling bad about things and thinking about Casey, I'll turn on the radio and a Van Halen song will come on. It happens too often to be a coincidence," Sheehan said.
Casey's Scout Troop 180 now gives an annual award in Casey's honor. The recipient is a member who personifies what Casey stood for, Sheehan said.
And, at Fort Hood, Texas where Casey was an altar server at the Catholic chapel, the Knights of Columbus named a council after him.
Rio Vista man's family carries on
Rio Vistan Adam Kinser was killed in Afghanistan on Jan. 29, 2004.
He died in a weapons depot explosion near Kabul.
More than seven years later, his father Paul Kinser, in an email with the newspaper. said life will never be the same. But, like Pat Sheehan, he has continued to carry on, even during the tough times.
"I was in a deep depression for four years," Kinser wrote. "I have since, by God's grace, come out of it and can again enjoy life. I will never be the same without Adam but I have learned to adjust."
Kinser also has a constant, happy reminder of his son in life, a 7-year-old grandson that "looks just like his dad."
Like Sheehan, Kinser is an ardent supporter of our armed forces.
"I just want our troops to know how mush we love and respect and appreciate them wherever they are called to serve," he wrote.
As for his thoughts on the death of bin Laden, Kinser wrote "Bulls-eye!"
The support of his wife, family, neighbors, friends and members of his church have helped Kinser rediscover the good things again.
More than 1,200 people turned out for Kinser's funeral. That was one-third of the population of Rio Vista.
"I have very deep scars from the loss of my son and that will never change," Kinser wrote.
Reach Amy Maginnis-Honey at [email protected] or 427-6957.
Source: https://www.dailyrepublic.com/all-dr-news/wires/features/fathers-still-mourn-sons-who-died-in-the-line-of-duty/
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