American Mourning: A Story of Two Families

Catherine Moy & Melanie Morgan
WND Books (2006)
ISBN 1581825404
Reviewed by Debra Gaynor for Reader Views (2/07)

Justin Johnson was raised in Georgia where boys are taught how to use a gun from an early age.  Justin enlisted after 9/11.  “Mom, things aren’t good.  It’s scary.  You wouldn’t believe this place.  It’s messing with our heads.  Mom, you just never know.  There are kids, ten- to-twelve year-olds and they got machine guns.  You don’t know:  are they friendly or are they the enemy.”

Casey Sheehan was raised in California.  Casey’s mother discouraged her son from enlisting in the army.  He was loyal and loved his country. She offered to take him to Canada so that he could avoid Iraq, but he declined. 

Casey and Justin met at Fort Hood, Texas.  The two became quick friends although they didn’t have a lot in common.  “Both were quiet, strong, patriotic, and God-loving young men.”   “Both young men prayed to God and hoped they would make it home to their moms and dads, sisters and brothers.”

Justin and Casey were both killed by radical Muslims.

Joe Johnson wanted revenge on the terrorists.   He signed up with a unit shipping to Iraq and “swore to God and to Justin that I would go to Iraq and kill as many of them as I could.”  Joe was filled with hatred.  “I could kill all the insurgents and it would never bring Justin back, I don’t think I’ll really get anything out of it except for maybe that one moment of satisfaction when I finally kill somebody.  But as far as long-lasting feelings of satisfaction, I don’t think I’ll find it in Iraq.  There’s hardly a day goes by that I don’t wish I hadn’t a spent more time with him.”

Cindy Sheehan was also filled with hatred but she took it a different direction.  “She blamed President George W. Bush for Casey’s death and called the Muslim radicals who killed Casey and Just “freedom fighters.”  “Cindy posted herself outside the president’s Crawford ranch. She became a media phenomenon, thanks to a campaign by well-paid media experts from the Left.”  Her grief and the media destroyed her family.

“A parent should never have to bury a child.”

Catherine Moy & Melanie Morgan expressively share the tragic story of two young men killed in Iraq, two families torn apart.  Moy and Morgan capture and convey the pain and anguish the families are suffering.   I found myself in tears as I read this book.  The bravery of Justin and Casey is celebrated on these pages.  I want to be careful not to state an opinion of the actions of the families for I would not add to their pain.  After reading this book, the deaths become more than a news story.  This book gives Justin and Casey a face and brings them into you heart.  This book describes the divide in American opinion concerning the War on Terror.  Regardless of which side of the divide you stand we must never forget the young men and women who are fighting this war.  Ms Moy and Morgan are to be commended on their presentation of the heroic lives of these two young men.  I highly recommend “America Mourning” to all.

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