SSG Shawn H. McNabb a life remembered and honored

October 26, 2010 · By Jerry Castillo

Painting of Shawn H. McNabb by Ellen Moore (ellenmooreart.com)

Painting of Shawn H. McNabb by Ellen Moore (ellenmooreart.com)

Last October, we as a country, were suffering from many losses due to war. On Oct. 26, last year I woke up to learn a helicopter crashed in Iraq and claimed the lives of 7 Army soldiers. One of those soldiers was SSG Shawn Henry McNabb, 24, of Terrell, TX.

In the wee hours of the morning a C-127 from Germany landed at Dover AFB and was greeted by the president. In a solemn ceremony the president participated in the dignified transfer of the remains.

A few days later a chartered plane from Dover to Greenville Airport landed at 1155 hours delivering SSG Shawn McNabb flag draped casket to his family. As the plane landed it was greeted with area fire departments and a dramatic water bridge. Once the plane came to a stop the crowd of approximately 300 stood by and a helicopter hovered overhead. The weather was comfortable with a light breeze that would gentle blow the giant flag hoisted above two fire ladder trucks. As the cargo door opened slowing it was as if everyone including Mother Nature held their breath.

The video below is of his homecoming. Take note of how the flag is swaying in the breeze except as the door is opening. Soon after an Army escort steps out of the plane and the crew prepares to lower the casket. As the casket made its way out onto the platform I felt a spiritual presence. This became a guiding force in determining where to stand, what to film, and what music to use in his memorial tributes.

Shawn gwtting ready to swing at a pinata

Shawn getting ready to swing at a pinata

Once I began editing the footage I felt his presence yet again. Images of a helicopter being shot down played in my mind over and over. I did not understand it nor did I question it, but I felt the incident that was reported was not exactly what happened.

Of course months later we would discover the helicopter was confirmed shot down by the enemy. What I was confused about was why would the enemy target a medical helicopter?

Later it was announced a group burial at Arlington National Cemetery for the combined unidentifiable body parts of 10 would be buried together. As you recall the initial report was 7 Army soldiers. For the first time I was not granted permission to film a group burial at ANC. As it turned out the other 3 families who lost their sons requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of their mission.
I never knew Shawn, nor had I ever met him, but we became close. When I feel sad or worried it seems like I receive a message from David, his dad, about new photos being posted on his memorial page on FaceBook and I always get a big chuckle and even a belly laugh. His body rests but his spirit lives on and he is just as charismatic and funny as the day he left us.

Here is his homecoming video presentation and for all intended purposes he directed and I produced.

3 Responses

  1. Tweets that mention SSG Shawn H. McNabb a life remembered and honored | USFallen.org -- Topsy.com

    October 26th, 2010 at 7:39 PM

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    [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by USFALLENORG, AllMilitaryNews. AllMilitaryNews said: (USFallen.org) SSG Shawn H. McNabb a life remembered and honored: Last October, we as a country, were suf… http://bit.ly/9qFG6G #Military [...]

  2. World Wide News Flash

    October 27th, 2010 at 3:36 AM

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    SSG Shawn H. McNabb a life remembered and honored | USFallen.org…

    I found your entry interesting do I’ve added a Trackback to it on my weblog :) …

  3. Stephen Bishop

    November 18th, 2010 at 10:54 PM

    3

    I recorded the burial on my Droid phone at Arlington. My brother Keith Bishop was one of the soldiers killed. Who did not want it filmed? I had planned on one day sharing the video but I also want to respect the other families. Also the helicopter crashed in Afghanistan and was not shot down. I know the story your talking about, this was not it.

    Steve Bishop


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