►
Description
Mayor Walsh and Governor Baker joined the Casey family for the dedication of the Major General George W. Casey Amphitheater and improvements to the Smith Playground in Allston. General Casey received a Silver Star for his actions on Heartbreak Ridge. He lost his life in a helicopter crash on his third tour in Vietnam. Smith Playground's recent improvements includes the Major General George W. Casey Amphitheater, a multipurpose field, basketball courts, a street hockey court, and a passive plaza space.
A
Good
afternoon
everyone,
my
name,
is
Ryan
woods
and
I
have
the
honor
of
being
the
parks
Commissioner
for
the
city
of
Boston
on
behalf
of
Mayor
Walsh
and
everyone
at
the
parks
department.
I
want
to
stop
I.
Welcome
you
all
to
the
dedication
of
the
Major
General
George,
W,
Casey
amphitheater
at
Smith
playground,
and
thank
you
especially
to
Harvard
for
hosting
us
inside
today
at
the
ED
Portal
due
to
the
inclement
weather.
So
thank
you
very
much
to
Harvard.
A
A
A
Renovations
to
this
park
include
sports
fields,
new
walking
paths,
a
splash
pad
a
street
hockey
court
skateboard
park,
BMX
bike
track,
basketball,
courts
and,
of
course,
a
spacious
amphitheater,
where
performances
can
be
staged.
Year-Round,
there's
truly
something
for
everyone
here
at
Smith
playground,
Alston's
identity
is
largely
defined
by
its
thriving
arts.
Community
in
this
amphitheater
will
be
a
place
where
Austin
residents
can
come
together,
whether
it
be
a
performance,
one
of
our
neighborhood
concerts
or
even
a
talent
show.
This
amphitheater
will
be
a
place
where
people
come
to
make
memories
and
build
community.
A
That
is
why
we
wanted
to
dedicate
such
an
important
neighborhood
asset
after
one
of
Austin's
own
Major
General
George
W
Casey,
who
grew
up
roughly
400
yards
away
from
this
very
location
over
on
Franklin
Street.
You
will
hear
more
about
general
Casey's
life
and
legacy
throughout
the
program,
and
we
really
want
to
thank
his
family
for
being
with
us
here
today.
So
thank
you
very
much.
A
A
Please
be
seated
it's
a
pleasure
to
introduce
father
Paul,
Hurley,
father,
Hurley
retired,
from
the
US
Army.
Just
a
few
weeks
ago,
he
was
born
in
Dorchester,
raised
in
Weymouth
and
graduated
from
the
US
Military
Academy
at
West
Point.
He
served
as
a
field
artillery
officer
before
returning
to
Boston
to
attend
st.
John's
Seminary
and
become
a
Catholic
priest
in
the
Archdiocese
of
Boston.
He
rose
to
the
rank
of
two-star
general,
ultimately
becoming
the
Army's
chief
of
chaplains.
It's
our
honor
to
welcome
here
today,
father
Hurley.
B
Thank
you
as
I
was
reflecting
on
this
dedication.
I
was
reminded
of
a
great
image
that
comes
to
us
from
the
book
of
Joshua
in
the
Old
Testament,
where
the
Israelite
people
had
just
been
brought
out
of
the
desert,
and
we
hear
these
words
from
Joshua
from
the
Lord.
Each
of
you
take
one
stone
on
your
shoulder
corresponding
to
the
number
of
tribes
and
to
these
stones,
make
an
everlasting
reminder
of
the
Israelites
of
God
and
these
twelves
and
it
and
their
deliverance
their
salvation.
B
It
demonstrates
for
all
of
us
and
so
I
pray
that
this
dedication
may
continue
always
today
and
always
to
be
a
sign
and
a
reminder
of
God's,
goodness
of
the
sacrifices
of
so
many
men
and
women,
for
the
freedom
and
for
the
lives
that
we
are
all
blessed
with.
And
we
ask
all
this
so
our
Lord
and
God
amen.
A
A
A
It's
now
my
honor
to
welcome
my
boss
and
the
greatest
parks
advocate
out
there,
a
mayor
who
has
now
made
Boston
all
residents
within
a
ten
minute,
walk
the
second
city
in
the
United
States
first
on
the
East
Coast.
So
all
residents
are
now
within
a
10-minute
walk
from
their
front
door
to
a
park.
Please
help
me
join
me
in
welcoming
the
mayor
of
Boston.
C
Thank
you
very
much
Ryan
and
thank
you
for
the
introduction
and
when
I
swing,
Ryan
was
talking
about
10
minutes
from
Prague
the
government's
like
wow
I,
see
we
were
about
a
month
shy
of
beating
Seattle,
but
we
on
the
East
Coast
we're
number
one
so
I
want
to
thank
I
want
to
thank
the
parks
department
for
the
incredible
work
that
they
do.
Ryan
talked
about
the
generous
budget
that
we'll
be
able
to
work
on,
but
our
parks
department's
been
able
to
do
some
incredible
work
in
the
city
of
Boston.
C
It
seems
like
two
years
ago
we
were
breaking
ground
on
all
kinds
of
different
open
space
in
the
city
of
Boston
and
two
years
later,
we're
cutting
ribbons
on
a
lot
of
things.
So
I
want
to
thank
the
entire
parks,
department
and
I
want
to
give
a
shout-out
to
Chris
Cook,
the
environment,
chief
environments,
chief
of
environment,
for
the
City
of
Boston.
Thank
you.
Chris
feel
something
I.
C
Want
to
thank
the
governor
for
being
here
with
us
today,
I
want
to
thank
father,
Major
General,
Paul,
Hurley,
Tom
Keeney
from
Boston
College,
Brian
Concannon,
the
civilian
aide
to
the
Secretary
of
the
army.
I
want
to
thank
our
own
Brian
golden
who
is
a
colonel,
but
also
the
director
of
the
Boston
playing
development.
You
say
thank
you,
Brian.
C
C
I
promise
you
I'm
not
going
to
name
every
single
person
in
the
room
today,
the
Commissioner
of
Veterans
Affairs,
John
scenarios
with
us
today.
Mr.
Roxon
geography,
sorry
run
and
there's
so
many
other
folks
here
that
I'd
love
to
mention.
But
thank
you
thank
you
to
Harvard
for
hosting
us
today
because
we
wanted
to
be
outside,
but
the
rain
is
coming
through
to
the
residents
of
this
great
neighborhood.
C
Thank
you
for
what
you
do
for
your
advocacy
for
pushing
us
and
pushing
the
state
and
pushing
the
city
to
make
sure
that
our
green
space
is
the
best
I
have
to
say
one
of
the
best
neighborhoods
in
the
city
of
Boston.
That
I
green
space
is
right
here
in
this
community
and
that's
because
of
the
advocates
here
so
and
the
in
the
residence.
So
thank
you
very
much
awesome.
Brighton
residents,
a.
C
C
We
are
grateful
for
her
service
as
a
military
spouse
and
mother,
who
was
widowed
at
a
very
young
age
and
I
also
want
to
thank
all
the
military,
men
and
women
in
this
in
this
great
amphitheatre
here
today
for
your
service
to
our
country,
the
men
and
women
in
uniform
and
the
men
and
women,
men
and
women
retired.
Thank
you
for
your
service
to
our
country,
because
it
wasn't
feel
we
would
not
have
this
beautiful
country
that
were
in
today.
So
thank
you.
C
We
also
remember
today,
General
George
W
Casey's
parents
who
raised
their
children,
not
block
the
blocks
from
here.
As
Ryan
mentioned,
his
father
worked
as
a
doctor
and
cared
for
people
at
Saint,
Elizabeth's
Hospital.
Both
parents
were
pillars
of
the
Church
of
st.
Anthony's.
They
taught
their
children
to
love
their
community
and
loved
their
country.
Major
General
Casey
embodies
those
ideals
who
would
go
on
to
serve
the
United
States
military
for
25
years
and
gave
his
life
for
our
country.
C
His
memory
will
live
in
Boston,
especially
here
in
Austin,
the
neighborhood
that
he
loved
so
dearly
forever.
Robert
F
Kennedy
often
spoke
about
the
meaning
of
service.
He
said
few
will
bend
history
itself,
but
each
of
us
can
work
to
change.
A
small
portion
of
events
in
the
total
of
those
acts
will
be
written.
The
history
of
this
generation,
Major
General
Casey,
was
certainly
one
of
those
people
who
helped
change
history.
In
fact,
Bobby
Kennedy
and
George
Casey
were
born
just
a
few
years
and
a
few
miles
apart.
C
They
both
both
joined
up
around
the
same
time.
This
place
has
produced
many
great
Americans.
Who've
changed
the
world
for
the
better
and
we
will
not
forget
their
impact.
No,
should
we
ever
forget
their
impact.
Major
General
of
Casey's
impact
is
felt
all
over
the
city
at
Boston
Latin
School,
where
he
was
a
student
on
Franklin
Street,
where
he
grew
up
in
the
hearts
of
those
who
served
alongside
him
and
right
here
in
this
beautiful
new
neighborhood,
the
amphitheater
right
down
the
street.
We
will
keep
those
stories
alive.
C
We
will
never
forget
these
sacrifices
and
we'll
keep
supporting
military
families
and
we'll
keep
reaching
out
to
our
veterans
to
make
sure
that
they
all
hear
those
two
very
important
words
that
they
didn't
always
hear
and
those
words
I.
Thank
you
I'm
very
proud.
What
we've
created
here
on
behalf
of
the
city
of
Austin
in
the
Commonwealth
of
Massachusetts
I,
want
to
thank
everyone
who
helped
make
this
happening
today,
including
the
KC
family,
the
residents
of
Austin,
the
Boston
Parks
Department,
Boston,
College,
our
great
artists
and
Boston's
veterans
community.
A
D
Thank
You
Ryan
and
Thank
You
mr.
mayor
for
giving
me
a
chance
to
join
you
all
today.
I
do
want
to
add
two
names
to
those
that
the
mayor
introduced
earlier.
One
is
Veterans
Affairs
Secretary,
Francisco
Urena,
who
does
a
terrific
job
of
advocating
for
and
representing
all
veterans
here
in
the
Commonwealth
of
Massachusetts.
D
And
I
want
to
thank
you
all
for
being
here.
I
just
want
to
start
with
a
personal
note,
which
is
our
oldest
son,
is
getting
married
on
Saturday
and
as
I
thought
about
that,
which
is
really
the
only
thing
I'm
thinking
about.
At
the
moment.
I
was
reminded
that
my
wife
and
I
lived
in
this
neighborhood
before
we
got
married
and
we
actually
had
the
blood
test
that
you're
required
to
have
before
you
can
get
a
marriage
license
at
the
Joseph
Smith
Community
Health
Center
32
years
ago.
Right
around
now,
because
we
got
married.
D
Who
goes
off
to
serve
this
country
in
uniform
and
potentially
in
harm's
way,
and
one
of
the
things
I
hear
over
and
over
again
from
the
families
and
from
the
folks
who
serve
is
how
important
it
is
that
their
commitment,
and
especially
their
sacrifice,
is
never
forgotten
and
I.
Think
in
many
ways
for
all
of
us,
an
opportunity
like
this
to
remember
and
to
never
forget
and
to
ensure
that
this
man
and
his
family
will
be
remembered
and
honored
by
the
community
that
he
grew
up
in
for
all
times.
D
D
D
But
really
I
just
want
to
say
on
behalf
of
the
Commonwealth.
Thank
you
to
the
KC
family,
because
that's
really
what
today
is
all
about
and
I
especially
want
to
say
thank
you
to
the
mayor
who,
time
and
time
again
has
stepped
up
over
and
over,
to
ensure
that
the
veterans
that
he
represents
in
the
city
of
Boston
and
their
families
are
in
fact
never
forgotten.
Thank
you.
A
A
Because
of
the
contributions
from
the
Boston
College
neighborhood
Improvement
Fund,
we
now
have
the
beautiful
plaque
that
you
see
up
here
at
the
top
of
the
steps
of
the
amphitheater
Boston
College
worked
closely
with
August
pablo
eduardo
on
this
project
and
the
end
result
is
just
beautiful,
representing
Boston
College
I'd,
now
like
to
invite
to
the
podium
vice
president
of
government,
Community,
Affairs,
Tom
Keating.
Thank.
E
The
project
was
made
possible
through
$100,000
neighborhood
Improvement
Fund,
grant
from
Boston
College
to
the
parks
and
recreation
department.
The
NIF
grant
established
in
2014
funds
projects
that
improve
and
enhance
the
public
realm
in
Austin
and
Brighton.
The
memorial
relief
was
select
was
a
selected
by
the
Boston
College
task
force.
Some
members
are
here
today,
Boston
College
in
the
city
of
Boston
through
a
competitive
grant
process.
To
date,
this
fund
has
awarded
over
1.6
million
dollars
in
grants
to
the
local
community.
E
This
inspiring
work
not
only
beautify
Smith
Park,
but
serves
as
a
lasting
reminder
of
general
Casey's,
koroa
sysm,
educating
all
who
gather
here
about
a
favorite
son
of
Alston.
As
many
of
you
know,
I
was
born
and
raised
in
Austin
playing
and
coaching
with
the
Austin
north
little
league
for
over
18
years.
In
this
very
Park,
which
now
has
general
Casey's
busting
I
am
pleased
that
this
amphitheater
and
Pablo
sculpture,
sculpture
will
be
here
to
honor
the
life
of
one
of
our
own
for
generations
to
come.
E
It
is
a
source
of
pride
for
this
community
and
for
Boston
College
is
so
proud
to
a
played,
a
role
in
telling
general
Casey
story
today
in
closing
I'd
like
to
thank
general
Casey,
George
Casey
jr.,
a
friend
of
Judge
Muses
who's
here
with
us
today.
This
is
Elaine
Casey
Murphy
in
the
extended
KC
family
for
your
service
and
sacrifice,
and
it
is
an
honor
and
privilege
to
share
this
special
day
with
you.
A
Mr.
Brian
Concannon
is
the
civil
aide
to
the
Secretary
of
the
army
from
Massachusetts
he's
a
graduate
of
the
US
Military
Academy
at
West
Point
and,
like
father
Hurley,
he
served
as
a
field
artillery
officer
in
the
army.
He
made
his
career
as
a
leader
in
the
healthcare
industry,
ultimately
leading
Massachusetts
base
human
etics,
the
world's
largest
blood
management
company.
Please
welcome
to
the
podium.
Brian
can
Canada.
F
Governor
Baker
mayor
Walsh,
general
Casey
and
the
entire
Casey
family,
distinguished
guests.
Ladies
and
gentlemen,
thank
you
for
allowing
me
to
be
here
today.
It's
a
real
honor
as
a
local
boy.
You
know
here
in
Boston
and
in
Massachusetts
we
live
in
a
very
patriotic
part
of
the
country.
If
someone
sees
a
soldier
in
uniform
they'll
only
stop
and
thank
them
for
their
service
they're
grateful,
but
for
many
that
comes
with
the
hope
that
their
sons
and
daughters
don't
have
to
serve
now.
F
This
sounds
like
a
criticism
of
our
citizens,
but
I
assure
you
it's
none.
It's
more
a
call
to
action
for
our
army
and
for
the
responsibility
we
have
in
educating
our
people
about
the
tremendous
opportunities
they
have
serving
in
our
army
represents
for
our
young
men
and
women
army
week.
Boston
this
past
April
was
a
start
and
addressing
this
challenge
locally
in
governor
Baker
fare
Walsh.
Thank
you
for
your
support
and
helping
to
make
this
event
such
a
great
success.
F
We
will
endeavor
with
your
team
to
make
this
an
even
bigger
and
better
event
next
year.
Now
education
is
important,
but
our
people
also
need
examples
to
follow
and
to
inspire
them.
Examples
like
Major,
General,
George,
W
Casey
by
dedicating
this
and
pathetic
and
his
name.
We
honor
Major
General
Casey,
a
man
who
served
his
country
in
Japan
at
the
end
of
World
War,
two
at
Heartbreak
Ridge
in
Korea
and
three
tours
of
duty
in
Vietnam.
F
He
was
the
highest-ranking
American
officer
killed
for
the
Vietnam
War
Major
General
Casey
is
one
of
our
sons
who
served
their
country
with
distinction
and
someone
who
was
born
and
raised
in
this
great
city
not
far
from
this
amphitheater.
That
will
be
his
name
forever.
So
why
do
I
say
examples
were
important.
I
dare
say
that
the
example
Major
General
Casey
was,
for
his
own
son,
played
a
part
inspiring
our
36th
chief
of
staff
of
the
Army.
Today.
This
amphitheater
will
now
stand
as
a
tribute
to
Major,
General,
Casey's
legacy
and
think
about
this.
F
Who
knows
how
many
more
of
our
sons
and
daughters,
this
amphitheater
and
Major
General
Casey's
example
may
inspire
in
the
years
to
come
on
behalf
of
the
Acting
Secretary
of
the
army.
Ryan
McCarthy
I
want
to
thank
all
who
made
this
tribute
possible
and
general
Casey,
sir
to
you,
and
your
family
I
pass
along
the
Secretary's
regards
I.
Thank
you
for
the
contribution
you've
made
to
our
army,
for
the
sacrifices
you've
made
to
our
country
and
for
the
great
example
that
you
and
your
family
continue
to
be
for
us
all.
Thank
you
very
much.
G
Thank
you
so
much
thanks
to
all
of
you.
Who've
come
to
visit
with
us
today
to
celebrate
this
special
occasion.
A
special
dedication,
thanks
to
those
who
petitioned
for
the
memorial
a
few
years
ago
to
the
vets
who
served
there
are
so
many
of
them
here
this
afternoon.
I
want
to
thank
the
uniformed
personnel
for
joining
us
like
the
mayor
and
governor
I,
especially
want
to
salute
and
thank
the
KC
family,
general
Casey
and
his
mom,
mrs.
Elaine
Casey
Murphy
she's,
originally
from
West
Roxbury
and
the
widow
of
major-general
Casey.
G
She
can't
be
with
us
today,
but
mrs.
Casey.
Thank
you
for
your
profound
service
and
sacrifice,
as
you
and
your
family
served.
This
nation
I'd
like
to
tell
you
the
story
of
this
memorial
in
2005
I
was
preparing
to
deploy
to
Iraq
as
a
reservist.
One
morning,
le
hollom
of
Alston
Milly's
with
us
le
column
of
Austin
stopped
me
at
Saint.
G
So
le
told
me
to
look
for
general
Casey
when
I
got
to
Iraq
general
Casey,
the
younger.
She
told
me
that
he
was
a
general
and
a
significant
role
and
that
his
father
was
from
Franklin
Street.
She
told
me
that
his
father
was
also
a
general
in
the
army
and
that
he
died
in
Vietnam.
I
was
astounded
by
this
I'd
never
heard
the
story,
even
though
I'd
spent
my
whole
life
in
this
neighborhood
and
by
2005
I'd
spent
a
significant
portion
of
my
adult
life
in
the
Army.
G
So
when
I
got
to
Baghdad,
I
did
meet
general
Casey.
He
told
me
about
visiting
his
grandparents
Franklin
Street
and
about
his
father's
life
in
Boston
in
his
service
career
I
learned
that
he
was
one
of
the
highest-ranking
u.s.
army
officers
to
die
in
Vietnam
when
I
came
home,
I
learned
that
lots
of
neighbors
didn't
know
this
story
of
Major
General
Casey
in
his
family,
but
there
was
no
memorial
of
any
kind
to
ensure
the
survival
of
this
story.
G
So
some
of
the
local
VFW
membership
people
like
Bob,
done
the
very
first
Vietnam
veteran
I
ever
befriended
in
Phil
guilfoyle
they're.
Here
with
us
today,
we
began
to
talk
about
what
should
be
done
to
tell
the
story
of
general
Casey.
There
was
a
neighborhood
petition,
drive
I
gotta,
give
a
shout-out
to
my
mom,
the
champion
signature,
gatherer.
G
Hundreds
of
people
signed
this
petition
mayor
Marty,
Walsh
and
Parks
Commissioner
Chris
Cook.
In
now,
Parks
Commissioner
Ryan
woods.
They
embrace
the
cause
enthusiastically
helping
to
identify
a
concept,
a
site
in
resources
that
could
bring
the
memorial
to
fruition.
And
here
we
are,
it
really
has
been
a
family
affair.
G
I
thank
them
for
the
time
that
they've
put
into
this
effort.
In
my
absence
on
occasion,
as
we've
pursued
this
effort
over
the
past
fourteen
years.
A
couple
days
ago,
I
received
a
letter
from
General
Joe
Dunford
general
Dunford
of
Boston
is
the
chairman
of
the
Joint
Chiefs
of
Staff,
and
he
wrote
quote
no
words
can
adequately
express
the
debt
of
gratitude.
G
We
owe
Major
General
Casey
in
his
family
support
and
sacrifice
I
join
his
hometown
of
Boston,
the
great
state
of
Massachusetts
in
each
of
you
in
remembering
and
honoring
one
of
our
nation's
most
beloved
sons.
Unquote
major
general
Casey
lived
the
truth
that
there
can
be
no
greater
love
than
to
lay
down
one's
life
for
friends.
He.
G
He
must
continue
to
be
one
of
us,
our
history,
our
identity.
The
amphitheater
is
accompanied
by
this
beautiful
bronze
relief
portrait
of
general
Casey
by
sculptor
Pablo
Eduardo
Pablo
works
all
over
the
world
that
lives
here
in
Metro
Boston
through
his
work.
He
has
added
so
much
to
the
life
of
this
city
to
its
beauty
and
its
sense
of
itself,
Thank
You
Pablo
for
your
latest
creation.
It
will
be
a
meaningful
presence
here
in
perpetuity.
G
G
G
G
Thank
you.
It's
my
pleasure
now
to
introduce
General
George
W
Casey
jr.
general
Casey
graduated
from
Boston
College
High,
School,
Georgetown
University
and
was
commissioned
an
officer
in
the
United
States
Army
in
1970.
He
rose
to
the
rank
of
four-star
general,
serving
as
commander
of
the
multinational
force
Iraq
from
2004
to
2007
and
as
chief
of
staff
of
the
United
States
Army,
the
nation's
highest
ranking
army
officer
from
2007
to
2011.
I
So
I
learned
something
once
said
that
when
I
was
the
army
chief
and
that's
when
generals
say
stop
clapping,
they
mean
stop
clapping.
Sometimes
when
politicians
say
stop
clapping,
they
don't
mean
to
share
that
Brian.
Thank
you
very
much
for
that
kind.
Introduction,
and-
and
thank
you
for
placing
me
last
of
eight
speakers
and
following
you.
That
is
definitely
a
tough
act
to
follow
governor
Baker,
mayor
Walsh.
But
what
you've
done
here
is
a
one
will
be
a
wonderful
addition
to
the
Austin
community
and
thank
everyone
for
this
wonderful
tribute
today.
I
You
know
the
fact
that,
as
everyone
said,
it
is
four
hundred
yards
from
here
was
where
he
grew
up
and
he
used
to
sell
programs
at
Harvard
Stadium
during
football
games.
So
the
fact
that
this
is
so
close
it
means
that
much
more
to
our
families.
We've
thanked
everybody.
Pablo
eduardo
police.
Raise
you
wave
your
hand
I
want
people
to
see
you.
I
The
families
of
the
fallen
from
every
war
want
to
know
that
their
loved
ones
sacrifice
was
necessary,
was
appreciated.
It
will
never
be
forgotten
to
be
honest
with
you.
There
were
there
were
days
when
I
wasn't
sure
that
that
was
going
to
be
the
case
for
dad
or
the
fallen
from
Vietnam,
but
over
time,
largely
through
memorials
like
this
I've
come
to
believe
that
the
country
will
never
turn
its
back
on
its
military
again
and
that
our
fallen
from
Vietnam
will
not
be
forgotten.
I
Thank
you.
Dad's
family
was
a
second
generation
immigrant
family
from
Ireland
and
when
his
grandfather,
Thomas
wind
Cayce,
left
Ireland
at
the
age
of
18
to
find
a
better
life
in
America.
He
left
with
an
eighth
grade
education
and
not
much
else
but
Thomas
Cayce
understood
the
value
of
education
also,
and
he
ensured
that
all
seven
of
his
children
graduated
college,
dad's,
father,
dr.
John,
Casey
graduated
in
Colby
College
and
Columbia
Medical
School.
Before
signing
on
to
st.
I
Elizabeth's,
and
as
you
heard,
he
was
there
for
quite
a
while,
and
the
chances
are
that,
if
you're
my
age
or
older
and
you're
from
Austin
or
Brighton,
dr.
Casey
probably
brought
you
into
this
world.
He
met
and
married
a
Boston
girl,
Elizabeth
McDermott,
and
they
settled
it.
Brett-Brett
down
the
road
here
on
Franklin
Street
and
raised
the
proper
side,
I
proper
sized
Irish
family
of
75
boys
and
two
girls
and
like
their
aunts
and
uncles,
all
seven
graduated
college
for
Harvard,
one
Boston
state,
one
bu
and
one
West
one.
I
I
firmly
believe
that
the
casey
family's
story
of
service
is
representative
of
many
other
families
from
the
austin
community.
During
that
era,
dad's
parents
and
siblings
have
all
passed
away,
but
they're
represented
today
by
several
generations
of
cases.
So
can
I
ask
all
the
cases
to
stand
up
or
waved
your
hands.
Please.
I
I
My
mom
they
got
married
shortly
after
he
graduated
my
mom
claims
that
she
pursued
him
shamelessly
and
she
caught
him.
They
raised
five
children
myself,
my
brother
Peter
and
my
sisters,
Joan
wink
and
Ann
Joan
and
Ann
Ann
are
here
today
with
their
husbands,
as
is
my
wife
Shiva
at
my
son
Ryan
and
my
grandson,
Conor
Casey.
I
Say
that,
because
when
a
soldier
falls
in
battle,
the
impact
is
multi-generational,
you
heard
my
mom
was
ill.
She
turned
93
two
weeks
ago
and
she
is
recovering
from
a
stroke,
hopefully
she'll,
she'll
recover
and
we'll
get
her
back
to
back
on
her
feet.
Again,
it's
a
little
bit
about
dad.
Now
he
graduated
to
late
fall
from
West
Point
too
late
for
War
two
and
is
relegated
to
occupation
duty
in
Japan.
I
He
at
that
time
he
was
leading
the
first
Air
Cavalry
Division
on
a
very
successful
operation
into
the
parrots
peak
in
Cambodia.
He
was
on
his
way,
as
you
can
see
from
the
plaque.
He
was
on
his
way
to
Cameron
Bay,
to
visit
wounded
soldiers
in
operation
now,
I
think
it's
common
knowledge
that
generals
and
journalists
didn't
get
along
very
well
during
Vietnam.
I
So
as
I
struggled
to
find
a
way
to
describe
dad
as
a
man
and
as
a
soldier
I
found
it
striking
that
a
journalist,
Frank
Reynolds
from
ABC
News
had
captured
him
best
and
he
captured
him
in
a
commentary
that
he
did
about
dad
and
general
thana
Vietnamese
general,
who
was
killed
in
the
same
operation,
and
he
aired
this
aired
on
the
9th
of
July
1970.
While
dad's
helicopter
was
still
missing
and
here's
what
Frank
Reynolds
said.
I
He
says
it
seems
fair
to
say
that
professional
soldiers
are
not
at
the
top
of
the
lists
of
the
most
admired
men
in
America
these
days.
For
many
people
just
to
hear
the
words,
the
generals
in
the
Pentagon
or
the
generals
of
Vietnam
is
to
think
of
heartless
types
concerned
only
with
personal
glories
carrying
nothing
about
the
men
that
they
commit
the
battle.
I
Perhaps
that
was
not
an
entirely
inaccurate
account
of
high
command's
in
past
Wars,
but
it
is
completely
wrong
in
this
one
General
George
Casey,
the
commander
of
the
1st
Air
Cavalry
Division,
now
missing
in
Vietnam,
was
one
of
those
men
who
had
soldier
written
all
over
him.
There
was
no
trace
of
the
martinet
in
him.
He
was
a
man
for
whom
the
responsibilities
of
high
command
were
much
more
important
than
the
privileges
he
accepted.
All
of
the
first
he
abused.
I
I
I
A
Thank
you
again
for
coming
to
this
dedication
for
the
Major
General
George
W
Casey
amphitheater
at
Smith
playground.
There
are
many
great
memories
to
be
made
on
that
stage
and
we
hope
that
you
can
all
join
us
again.
In
a
few
weeks
we
do
an
official
grand
opening
for
the
new
new
beautiful
park.
This
concludes
our
formal
speaking
program
but
I'd
like
to
invite
all
of
you
to
say
hello
to
the
Casey
family.
After
the
program
and
since
Major
General
Casey
was
first
Calvary.
Division
commander,
the
brass
can
quintet,
will
now
play
Garryowen.