National Chaplain and Board Member,
Father John R. Sheehan SJ. New York
Father John R. Sheehan at the Intrepid Memorial
Reflections From Father John!
I was reflecting the other day how fortunate I am to be associated with so
many extraordinary people and to have so many wonderful opportunities to
meet and be with people.
In August, American Legion Post 2001, the 9-11 Memorial Post (where I am
chaplain) hosted the New York leg of the 9-11 Memorial Ride. Over 1,700
motorcycles arrived in mid-town Manhattan, and we rode in procession down to
the site of the World Trade Towers, where we had a short service. I not only
got to ride on the lead motorcycle, I got to lead the singing of the
National Anthem.
I also offered the opening prayer for a 9-11 Memorial Service at the USS
Intrepid, and was invited to lunch at the Naval Commandery, where the head
of the Fisher Foundation spoke of her experiences in the Pentagon on 9-11.
Later in September I got to meet and have breakfast with our latest Medal of
Honor recipient, Marine Sgt. Dakota Meyers. You get the feeling that he
truly doesn't understand what all the fuss is about, that he did only what
any Marine would do. He said at one point that he really likes working for
his brother-in-law's construction company. Pouring cement, he said, is like
being in the Marines. You get together with your team, you get your
objectives for the day, you go out and working together you meet those
objectives. At the end of the day you're content, because you've done your
job. What an honor to get to meet and talk with him.
His actions were truly heroic, but many of us know men and women who have
lived out their commitment to our country in ways that perhaps should have
merited a medal but didn't. We all know individuals whose lives are heroic,
and whose love of country and dedication to service are inspirational. Thank
God we have both Dakota Meyers and a host of "invisible" patriots, who
together help keep our country safe and free.
Fr. John R. Sheehan, SJ
Chairman
Xavier Society for the Blind
Web Site: www.xaviersocietyfortheblind.org
154 E. 23rd St
NYC 10010
212 473-7800, ext 119