Casey Sheehan

BLACKFIVE is one of the very best of the mil blogs, voted #1 in 2004. BLACKFIVE blogger Matt (only his mom, Sister Mary Margaret and his battalion commanders call him Matthew) was interviewed by Jennifer of Jennifer's History and Stuff.

Matt said he is an average looking Irishman … told that I look sort of like Russell Crowe on a bad day -- that or a drunk Pillsbury Doughboy. On his love of beer, Matt commented that at places like Wrigley Field, I order two at a time so that I don't have to wait on the beer guy to come back around to my section.

Jenifer asked: If you could beat the living crap out of only one person, would it be Michael Moore, George Clooney, or the kid who stole your lunch in the second grade, and why?

Matt: Alec Baldwin. Damn, I would love to just have a few minutes to pummel the crap out of him. Really! You know where I can find him?

I'd like to know BLACKFIVE Matt.

He recently wrote eloquently about Casey Sheehan, fallen soldier son of the anti-American Cindy Sheehan. Following are excerpts from BLACKFIVE.

Casey grew up in a devout Catholic home, served as an altar boy and then as a key member of his church's youth group. Casey was a Boy Scout, becoming the very second Eagle Scout out of his troop.

He enlisted in the Army when he was twenty years old. He was a mechanic, took Combat Lifesaver training and was also certified to assist with giving communion to soldiers while in the field.

Specialist Sheehan re-enlisted in the Army in 2004 knowing full well that he could be sent into a combat zone.

Casey Sheehan was a Humvee mechanic with the 1st Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment.

On April 3rd, 2004, forces loyal to Muqtada al'Sadr stormed police stations and government offices in Sadr City. They knew the Americans would come, and they wanted a fight. American forces attacked on April 4. A battle raged across Sadr City. Soldiers of the 5th Cavalry Regiment were ambushed with RPGs and pinned down and dying. While fighting off an attack himself, Commander LTC Volesky called for help. A Quick Reaction Force (QRF) was formed of volunteers - their mission was to go out and rescue the American troops.

Casey Sheehan had just returned from Mass. After Sheehan volunteered once, the Sergeant asked Sheehan again if he wanted to go on the mission. According to many reports, Casey responded, Where my Chief goes, I go.

The QRF was launched. Sheehan's vehicle was hit with multiple RPGs and automatic-weapons fire. Specialist Casey Sheehan and Corporal Forest Jostes were killed.

Seven men died with Casey Sheehan on Sunday, April 4th, 2004. They were Spc. Robert Arsiaga, Spc. Ahmed Cason, Sgt. Yihjyh "Eddie" Chen, Spc. Stephen Hiller, Spc. Israel Garza, Cpl. Forest Jostes, and Sgt. Michael Mitchell.

Casey Sheehan received the Bronze Star for his Valor that day.

It was Palm Sunday.

In recognition of Casey, the Catholic Chapel at Fort Hood, Texas (where Sheehan was stationed) named the Knights of Columbus chapter the Casey Austin Sheehan Council.