Michelle Malkin » Forget Michael Jackson. Meet Pvt. Justin Casillas

Forget Michael Jackson. Meet Pvt. Justin Casillas

By Michelle Malkin • July 7, 2009 11:58 AM

Over the weekend, I blogged about Pvt. Aaron Fairbairn, one of two American soldiers killed in in eastern Afghanistan by a jihadi suicide bomber.

The other American soldier killed in the attack has been identified.

His name is Pvt. Justin Casillas. The Woodland Daily Democrat reports:

A local soldier was killed Saturday in Afghanistan after a truck loaded with bombs approached his checkpoint and blew up, the soldier’s family said.

Justin Casillas, 19, of Dunnigan, graduated from Pierce High School last year, according to American Legion member Larry Schapiro. He was a paratrooper with the U.S. Army’s 509th Airborne out of Alaska. His grandfather, Joe Casillas Sr., served in the Pacific theater in World War II, and his father, Joe Jr., served in the Air Force in the Vietnam War.

Justin’s mother, Donna, left for Dover Air Force Base in Delaware to collect his remains. Joe Jr. said they would be back Sunday.

“I don’t know how to explain this … but I’m proud of him, and I want to celebrate him,” Joe Jr. said. “We talked a little bit about this, before he went over … he wanted to do his part.”

Joe Jr. said Casillas had been in Afghanistan for four months. Casillas’ unit, Joe Jr. said, is the same one from which Taliban insurgents kidnapped a soldier on Tuesday.

The death comes amid heavier fighting in eastern Paktika province, according to the Associated Press. A battle on Saturday killed at least 10 militants, according to a statement from the the NATO-led force. Troops detained one militant, it said. The discrepancy in the militant death tolls could not immediately be reconciled.

During the battle, an insurgent drove a truck filled with explosives and gravel toward the gates of the U.S. base, Zawak said. When the driver did not heed warnings to stop, troops opened fire on the truck, which exploded, he said.

R.I.P.

Many Americans won’t forget your service and sacrifice.

Thank you, Justin.

***

Statement from Calif. Gov. Schwarzenegger’s office:

Governor Schwarzenegger Issues Statement on Death of Dunnigan Soldier

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today issued the following statement regarding the death of Pfc. Justin A. Casillas of Dunnigan:

“California lost a great soldier in Private First Class Justin A. Casillas. He was a dedicated soldier who served his country with honor and bravery. Maria and I are deeply saddened to learn of Justin’s passing. We send our condolences to his family, friends and fellow soldiers as they mourn this terrible loss.”

Casillas, 19, died July 4 at Combat Outpost Zerok, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked the outpost using small arms and indirect fires. Casillas was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, U.S. Army, Fort Richardson, Alaska.

In honor of Pfc. Casillas, Capitol flags will be flown at half-staff.

***
Related: The aunt of an American soldier killed the same day Michael Jackson died skewers misplaced MSM priorities.

Posted in: Afghanistan

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#739055

On July 7th, 2009 at 12:03 pm, purplepeep said:

Ineeed – Justin and his comrades are the ones who deserve a MSM-marathon. May his family know God’s comfort.
#739060

On July 7th, 2009 at 12:11 pm, Misscheryl said:

This makes me sick to my stomach. For the first time in my life I am no longer proud of the United States of Amercia.

God’s speed and may God have mercy on his soul.
#739061

On July 7th, 2009 at 12:12 pm, behiker said:

RIP Justin, Aaron and others who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

If George Bush were still President, the media wouldn’t have ignored these deaths.
#739062

On July 7th, 2009 at 12:14 pm, tre said:

Rest in peace Pvt. Justin Casillas. Your Band of Brothers are waiting for you in Heaven.

I don’t like Arnold as a Governor, but I give him credit for honoring a REAL American hero rather than a guitar hero.
#739091

On July 7th, 2009 at 12:47 pm, Regulus said:

Michael Jackson is dead?

When did that happen?

On July 7th, 2009 at 12:12 pm, behiker said:

…

If George Bush were still President, the media wouldn’t have ignored these deaths.

Bingo.
#739093

On July 7th, 2009 at 12:47 pm, Sichiban said:

“If George Bush were still President, the media wouldn’t have ignored these deaths.”

Sure they would. Our state run media is a disgrace. They have sold their souls in the name of ideology. I only hope they reap the appropriate reward.

Good people will honor Aaron Fairbairn and Justin Casillas for their service. The liberals won’t. They’re too enamored with Michael Jackson. I look at all the hoopla over his death and compare it to the deaths of these brave young men, and it makes me sick to my stomach.
#739111

On July 7th, 2009 at 1:10 pm, GladzKravtz said:

Justin Casillas, 19, of Dunnigan, graduated from Pierce High School last year,

So young, so brave, so patriotic. A role model. RIP Justin and thank you for your service.
#739112

On July 7th, 2009 at 1:10 pm, DerKrieger said:

I can’t describe how angry I feel when I read of the death of an American soldier in light of what Obama and the Democrats are trying to do to this country. That pack of totalitarians don’t deserve the protection of the armed forces of the US. As our troops fight for freedom abroad, our politicians take more and more of our liberty here at home. I really can’t stand them.
#739113

On July 7th, 2009 at 1:12 pm, Flyoverman said:

JUST A COMMON SOLDIER
(A Soldier Died Today)
by A. Lawrence Vaincourt

….the last stanza

If we cannot do him honor while he’s here to hear the praise,

Then at least let’s give him homage at the ending of his days.

Perhaps just a simple headline in a paper that would say,

Our Country is in mourning, for a soldier died today.
#739115

On July 7th, 2009 at 1:14 pm, GladzKravtz said:

As our troops fight for freedom abroad, our politicians take more and more of our liberty here at home.

It’s got to be very demoralizing for our fighting men/women to serve under this president/administration. I wonder if the number of re/enlistments go down. I’ll probably give an extra pat on the back to the next troop I see at the airport.
#739134

On July 7th, 2009 at 1:37 pm, Member-VRWC said:

On July 7th, 2009 at 12:47 pm, Sichiban said:
“If George Bush were still President, the media wouldn’t have ignored these deaths.”

Sure they would.

I think you’re missing the point of the original post.

How many times since January 20, 2009 has the lame-stream media commented on the US military death toll in Iraq and Afghanistan?

Much fewer than they did in any 6 month period while President Bush was CIC when they couldn’t wait to announce the milestone deaths (1000, 2000, etc.)?

You betcha.
#739137

On July 7th, 2009 at 1:40 pm, Member-VRWC said:

Now, for the important point.

Thank you Pvt. Casillas for your service. Know that you were fighting for a worthy cause. Rest in peace.
#739199

On July 7th, 2009 at 2:14 pm, cheapseat said:

AN AMERICAN SOLDIER puts his life on the line so we can rest easy at night! to all those who have served, gby. to those who disdain our military, gfy.
#739209

On July 7th, 2009 at 2:23 pm, By Choice said:

Thank you Justin Casillas and to the Casillas family for their sacrifice. God Bless you.
#739235

On July 7th, 2009 at 2:42 pm, JusDreamin said:

My God bless the Casillas family.

Today, my Son arrives at MCRD San Diego to begin 13 weeks of basic. I am filled with pride and a little fear.

Then I turn on the radio, or catch a glimpse of TV, and I am disgusted.

Thank you Michelle for reminding us of what is important, of what we must NEVER forget, the sacrifice for country and family that our fighting men and women must be prepared for every day.
#739236

On July 7th, 2009 at 2:43 pm, nail49 said:

I have had the honor of knowing many men and women who have served and are currently serving. One was the 20-year old son of my wife’s best friend who was KIA in Iraq in October of 2006. He now guards Heaven’s Gate alongside Justin Casillas and Aaron Fairbairn.

God Bless ALL our troops!
#739240

On July 7th, 2009 at 2:47 pm, nail49 said:

My God bless the Casillas family.

JusDreamin: I share your wishes, “May OUR God bless the Casillas family” and may He also bless your family for bringing up a fine son who is willing to serve our great nation and also watch over all of you while he is doing just that!
#739299

On July 7th, 2009 at 3:23 pm, graysonret said:

From Fox:

A day before New York Rep. Peter King called Michael Jackson a “pervert” unworthy of nonstop media coverage, the aunt of a U.S. soldier killed in Afghanistan on the same day Jackson died asked why her nephew’s death went virtually unnoticed while the King of Pop got memorial shrines across the country.

“Mr. Jackson received days of wall-to-wall coverage in the media,” Martha Gillis wrote to the Washington Post. “Where was the coverage of my nephew or the other soldiers who died that week?”

Ms. Gillis, they don’t care about soldiers on the left. And, the MSM doesn’t see any money in covering soldiers giving their lives for us. When there isn’t any more money to be made, votes to gather, and power to obtain, they will all find something or someone else to jump on, that comes out in the news…perhaps another murder-suicide or some small local disaster. Besides, there was politics involved when Bush was President and soldiers died. Now that the “messiah” is president, they find it best to ignore it.
#739319

On July 7th, 2009 at 3:32 pm, rightisright said:

RIP Pvt. Casillas, you and your brothers and sisters in the military, coast guard, firefighters, policemen, para medics, 1st responders are the real hero’s of America.

Bless you all and thank you for all you do for the rest of us.
#739472

On July 7th, 2009 at 5:23 pm, usa_usa said:

It is disgrace what these great men and women in armed forced get paid for their sacrifices.

I wish our government would pay them many many times more than their current pay. No other job deserve more pay than a soldier’s job. Yet we pay them lower than the most other jobs.
#739574

On July 7th, 2009 at 7:33 pm, ammo john said:

If anyone lives in these vicinities, please stand with the Patriot Guard to honor these two heroes (watch for updates):

PFC Fairbairn
http://www.patriotguard.org/Forums/tabid/61/postid/1189763/view/topic/Default.aspx

PFC Casillas
http://www.patriotguard.org/Forums/tabid/61/postid/1189760/view/topic/Default.aspx
#739583

On July 7th, 2009 at 7:43 pm, kcnut said:

God bless you justin and aaron. They are both in the kingdom of heaven. I hope micheal jackson is burning in hell. For he would never notice the true heroic of these young mens.
#739586

On July 7th, 2009 at 7:50 pm, thegreatbeast said:

Thank God that America still produces such men.
#739602

On July 7th, 2009 at 8:21 pm, bjc said:

*Pfc. Casillas, we honor your service; I shall lift you and your family up in my thoughts and prayers.
*Although our CiC has said today that great countries in the future will not have standing armies, the people know better; It is what we need now more than ever to fight the scourge of a 7th century invented religion of death cult savages.
#739729

On July 8th, 2009 at 12:33 am, jencab said:

Governor Palin also sends condolescences to these fine men.
http://www.gov.state.ak.us/news.php?id=1951
God bless them.
#739976

On July 8th, 2009 at 10:51 am, imjustsaying said:

Thank you, Justin. I know you can hear us where you are now. And thank you to his parents for raising such a brave and patriotic son.
#740800

On July 9th, 2009 at 6:08 am, jamesgreenidge said:

R.I.P. Justin

James Greenidge
Queens NY