Posted on 08/12/2005 4:03:22 AM PDT by F14 Pilot
Exactly.
Hey Cindy, Hanoi Jane is looking for people to join her in her protest tour across country. Give her a call.
Exactly, she is noting but a political hack. The Iraq version of Vietnam's Hanoi Jane.
(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)
Article Launched: 06/24/2004 06:00:00 AM
Bush, Sheehans share moments
By David Henson/Staff Writer
Since learning in April that their son, Army Spc. Casey Sheehan, had been killed in Iraq, life has been everything but normal for the Sheehan family of Vacaville.
Casey's parents, Cindy and Patrick, as well as their three children, have attended event after event honoring the soldier both locally and abroad, received countless letters of support and fielded questions from reporters across the country.
"That's the way our whole lives have been since April 4," Patrick said. "It's been surreal."
But none of that prepared the family for the message left on their answering machine last week, inviting them to have a face-to-face meeting with President George W. Bush at Fort Lewis near Seattle.
Surreal soon seemed like an understatement, as the Sheehans - one of 17 families who met Thursday with Bush - were whisked in a matter of days to the Army post and given the VIP treatment from the military. But as their meeting with the president approached, the family was faced with a dilemma as to what to say when faced with Casey's commander-in-chief.
"We haven't been happy with the way the war has been handled," Cindy said. "The president has changed his reasons for being over there every time a reason is proven false or an objective reached."
The 10 minutes of face time with the president could have given the family a chance to vent their frustrations or ask Bush some of the difficult questions they have been asking themselves, such as whether Casey's sacrifice would make the world a safer place.
But in the end, the family decided against such talk, deferring to how they believed Casey would have wanted them to act. In addition, Pat noted that Bush wasn't stumping for votes or trying to gain a political edge for the upcoming election.
"We have a lot of respect for the office of the president, and I have a new respect for him because he was sincere and he didn't have to take the time to meet with us," Pat said.
Sincerity was something Cindy had hoped to find in the meeting. Shortly after Casey died, Bush sent the family a form letter expressing his condolences, and Cindy said she felt it was an impersonal gesture.
"I now know he's sincere about wanting freedom for the Iraqis," Cindy said after their meeting. "I know he's sorry and feels some pain for our loss. And I know he's a man of faith."
The meeting didn't last long, but in their time with Bush, Cindy spoke about Casey and asked the president to make her son's sacrifice count for something. They also spoke of their faith.
While meeting with Bush, as well as Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona, was an honor, it was almost a tangent benefit of the trip. The Sheehans said they enjoyed meeting the other families of fallen soldiers, sharing stories, contact information, grief and support.
For some, grief was still visceral and raw, while for others it had melted into the background of their lives, the pain as common as breathing. Cindy said she saw her reflection in the troubled eyes of each.
"It's hard to lose a son," she said. "But we (all) lost a son in the Iraqi war."
The trip had one benefit that none of the Sheehans expected.
For a moment, life returned to the way it was before Casey died. They laughed, joked and bickered playfully as they briefly toured Seattle.
For the first time in 11 weeks, they felt whole again.
"That was the gift the president gave us, the gift of happiness, of being together," Cindy said.
David Henson can be reached at dixon@thereporter.com.
(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)
This isn't about her son Casey, RIP. It's just another Bush bash. Just another Rachel Corrie burning the flag and screaming hysterically. Just another stooge pushed up by MoveOn and CodePink and DU. They think a mother who lost a son will lend some kind of credibility to the message.
We see you Cindy. We see what you are. Boo!
my question for the leftists is why would they plant crosses to represent the troops in "Cindy's makeshift garden in Texas"? Isn't that a bit over the top to recognize people with crosses?
What if they all were not Christians? Isn't that a tad insenstive?
Cindy Lou! your padded truck has arrived!
24 years old
she calls him a MAN CHILD.
Yikes. Poor Casey.
I was very pleased with the statement from many of Casey's extended family members. I feel so sorry for all of them and my pity to Mrs. Sheehan.
Too much agenda wrapped up in this one.
Why, if you're mourning the loss of your son, would an election even be an issue?
What has one got to do with another?
You're right, she's getting lousy advice somewhere.
deygan
Since Aug 12, 2005
Did you sign up today just to say that? TROLL!
Clean up on aisle 48. Clean up on aisle 48.
(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)
President Bush does not have a son, but if he did, it WOULD BE BUSH'S FAULT. Only an idiot would ask that kind of stoooooooooooooooopid question. Please give us something of substance to discuss or go back under your bridge at du {where you will be lauded and applauded for your hate Bush screed}.
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