Posted on 04/18/2006 1:31:58 PM PDT by rock_lobsta
A Vacaville funeral home owner took exception to "Peace Mom" Cindy Sheehan's allegation that his mortuary did not fulfill its duties after her son Casey was killed in Iraq in 2004.
In her blog last week, Sheehan wrote that the mortuary had refused to pay the cemetery as it was supposed to. Steve Nadeau, the mortuary's owner, said Monday that not only did he properly pay the cemetery, but that he subsidized the process with his own money.
Nadeau read Sheehan's comments in The Reporter Sunday, in a story about Sheehan's defense of her decision not to put a headstone on Casey's grave. Sheehan had described her choice at length in the same blog entry that mentioned Nadeau's Funeral Home.
The Reporter called Nadeau Friday and left a message at his office seeking his comments.
Nadeau returned the call and left a message saying he would be unavailable until Monday.
In an e-mail sent to The Reporter Sunday, Nadeau expressed hurt and disbelief at Sheehan's comments. He said that the amount of money the military gave the mortuary for Casey's funeral service and cemetery arrangements didn't even come close to covering the costs.
"Several kind citizens made donations," said Nadeau. "I absorbed the rest."
This was not the only way in which he went above and beyond his responsibilities following Casey's death, said Nadeau. He also provided a stretch limousine and a driver at his expense, he said, and invited the family to go to the airport with him so that he could accompany them. None of this was required, said Nadeau.
"Having known the Sheehan family for many years through St. Mary's Catholic Church where Ms. Sheehan had previously been the youth director, it was my desire to provide care and dignity to Casey and the family. I did this in every respect."
Nadeau also refuted Sheehan's statement that the mortuary finally paid the cemetery only after the family threatened to bring the story to the media.
"This never happened," said Nadeau. "I would stop by the family home as I do most families' homes and check with them on necessary needs, etc."
Nadeau said the military provided his mortuary $5,736 in funding to pay for the funeral service and cemetery arrangements. The funding came in May 2004, said Nadeau, and he paid the cemetery as soon as the costs had been totaled and the donations received.
In a phone call Monday, Sheehan stood by her allegations. Sheehan also said that Casey's grave site was now being handled by her soon-to-be ex-husband Patrick.
Patrick Sheehan said Monday that the small plaque currently marking Casey's grave is something all graves receive before a headstone is constructed. Casey's headstone is in the works, he said, and is being built by a local monument company.
Smart man...
All this time, I heard Mother Sheehan whine about Casey's unmarked grave. She's so concerned about it, that she's personally getting her son a well-deserved headstone... Oh, Pat's doing that too.
She has such concern for her son. What a good mother...
At first I wondered if you held your nose to type that but then I began to wonder if you'd showed restraint and only typed half a word.
This is slander. The mortuary should sue...he'd win and show this crazy woman for who she is.
Not soon enough for him, I'll bet.
It's generally accepted that a gravestone won't set well if put on too hastily after the burial. I believe it is customary to wait one year for the earth to settle.
We're going on two years and you can bet your sweet bippie the headstone wouldn't have been placed by five years if the story hadn't hit the fan.
I'm thinking this funeral director has a lot more credibility than what passes for Casey's mom. What a sad and revolting development...
I sure hope this was BEFORE her insanity started. The thought of this "lady" leading youth in anything makes me sick.
What is bizarre about this is not only is she lying for no stupid reason at all, but no one in the mainstream media is calling her on it. Why? Can't we just shoot her with tranquilizer guns full on anti psychotic medicines for about six weeks then when she's rational maybe she'll go home and shut up?
All this "grieving mother" crap from ABCNNBCBS...Grieving mothers don't spit on their children's graves.
"Sheehan also said that Casey's grave site was now being handled by her soon-to-be ex-husband Patrick."
Congratulations Patrick.
Making sure BIG MEDIA was informed in plenty of time.
There could be donations for a really big patriotic headstone to help the dad out.
(But that would be policticizing Casey's death & his mother would never do that!)
Like all true liberals, she is a cheapskate too. She expects others to pay her freight and still complains about them.
"Patrick Sheehan said Monday that the small plaque currently marking Casey's grave is something all graves receive before a headstone is constructed."
Should we assume from this that Ma Sheehan has declined the Government-provided headstone that all Veterans are entitled to at no cost?
Actually in this case "the freight" was on the US military. I wonder why the funding wasn't enough to cover the costs is this case? If the military was causing out of pocket costs for the families to bury their deceased, the libs would have had a hayday with it.
Depends on the options at the funeral home selected by the family?
All that Cindy Sheehan has done to her son's grave is piss on it...
Not a good idea.
She is getting pretty good at playing the victim, i.e., the mother peace activist who lost her son in a illegal war.
Besides, she is starting to fade from fame and is just looking for another opportunity to promote herself.
Yes GREAT IDEA. Bring in the Patriot Guard Riders, some decorated vets of all ages, maybe an entertainer who supports the troops... Ms Sheehan would never do that, but someone could..... or is this just a fantasy idea?
Read: A subtle plea for donations from her remaining sympathizers.
I think it would sound something like this:
'Oh my poor son! He died in the war and now he is forced to rest in an unmarked grave that isn't even paid for. Oh, the shame! Now I am forced to survive by standing under bridges and in culverts with a "Will Protest For Food" sign. Oh, the inhumanity! Please help right this injustice --
with your heart-felt donations. Send check, cash or money order to Box XXX. That's Box XXX. Once again, that's Box XXX. Pay Pal, credit cards, food-stamps, clothing, blankets, pawnable items and I.O.U's accepted. Act Now and you will receive a genuine simulated leather hand-tooled headband inscribed with "We Helped Cindy Git Along!'
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