Mighty Casey Has Not Struck Out: Cindy Sheehan’s Touching Memoir Not One More Mother’s Child
Whether seen on television or read about in the newspapers, few people seem to have drawn attention to their protests this past year more than Cindy Sheehan, mother of Casey Sheehan, killed on April 4, 2004, in Baghdad. Her book, Not One More Mother’s Child, entitled from a speech she gave to fellow protestors in Washington D.C. on September 24th, recalls stories, letters, and speeches about “Camp Casey,” a protest site she and others set up outside of President Bush’s Crawford, Texas home in response to the mounting death toll resulting from the military activity in Iraq.
In her book, Cindy Sheehan describes her ongoing endeavors to speak with Bush regarding the death of both her son and countless other soldiers, as well as the outpouring of love and support she subsequently received from friends, acquaintances, and celebrities.
Understandably carrying the anger, sadness, and bitter resentment of a woman whose child was killed for reasons she feels are not thoroughly explained, let alone justified, the responses Sheehan received from the president left her incensed. These answers, however, fueled her desire to endure in protest, no matter what transpired, until she found a sense of consolation in a satisfactory explanation, along with what she would deem as the recognition by the president of his role in sending her son, Casey, to his death.
Unlike some who may have little or no frame of reference to what the death toll has meant (other than statistically), Cindy Sheehan not only puts a name and face to this war, but briefly shares a small kaleidoscope of Casey’s life to show her readers the young man behind the name titling the protest camp. The story she reveals is touching and heartbreaking: of family nights out (“Chicks and Dudes”) and Casey’s fervent dedication to his Catholic upbringing (never missing mass) to his enlistment in the military that shocked his family (considering their recollection of a gentler soul who wouldn’t seem to fit the profile of a fighting soldier), Casey’s story is told with delicacy, care, and a nuance that feels akin to the intimacy of a heart-to-heart. His story helps the reader sympathize for his mother even more in the face of the torment her protest would endure within the next several weeks.
Recounting her roller coaster of a journey, we are exposed to how Cindy’s and her family’s life was misrepresented by journalists as well as radio and television talk show hosts. Among the distortions, she notes, were those who wished to prop her up as an American traitor using her son’s death to overshadow his volunteering to fight and his valiant efforts to secure freedom in the Middle East.
However, Cindy did have her share of support, providing a list of names to whom she expresses abundant gratitude. She also offers what she feels was a corrected version as to the recruiting process of her son into the service, as opposed to the “volunteering” which Cindy’s detractors argue. Casey, Cindy recalls, did opt to go, but the promises he was offered left and right upon joining were broken again and again.
Both Casey’s and the mother’s stories garner sympathy, as was undoubtedly a part of Cindy’s intent with this book (the bigger picture, I’m sure, was to inspire others that we demand U.S. soldiers be brought home immediately). What makes the story even more heart aching is to fathom the possible life this young man might have lived out had he not been killed, as his mother mentions.
Her rancor may come across as repetitious at times, yet this seems to be an understandable step in a healing process that could last her for quite some time if not the rest of her life, and serve as a model for those feeling too numb to act on their own. Anger or not, what I feel Cindy believes would really help families of service men and women would be the safe return of as many soldiers as possible before more blood is shed.
Of course, plenty could argue that her son was overseas for a short time, as compared to families who have had generations in the military, and that the attention Sheehan has generated on her son’s behalf isn’t warranted. Yet, the focus and determination Cindy has helped congregate in an effort to leverage enough support to petition for the remaining soldiers’ return has indeed been awe-inspiring and has undoubtedly served itself well in lieu of longevity. The result, so far, has been this book.
Cindy’s message continues to resonate, so long as there are people willing to listen and news reporters able to cover her story. Regardless if praised or disparaged, she will forward her cause. Indeed, she may forge ahead because of it. Agree or disagree with what Cindy Sheehan has to say, her words are clear and her message is important.
