Sean Patrick Fennerty laid to rest

Sgt. Sean Patrick Fennerty, son of a physician and a teacher, was blessed with talent, smarts, friends and every advantage this world can offer. But he traded all of the world's pleasures for service to his country and a walk directly into harm's way in Iraq.

Fennerty was seeking a challenge when he decided to enlist in the U.S. Army. He was steered to Officer Candidate School, but he chose to be an enlisted man, fighting alongside his buddies, watching their backs.

He was remembered as fiercely loyal: To his fellow Airborne soldiers and to his country. To his beloved sports teams: Oregon State Beavers, San Diego Padres and Chargers, and Arizona Wildcats. To his Irish heritage and strong Catholic faith. To his schools and classmates: Jesuit High School, Class of 1999; Oregon State University, Class of 2004; fraternity, Sigma Pi; and childhood friends from St. Thomas More Catholic School in Portland.

Hundreds of his friends gathered to honor and mourn Fennerty at his funeral Mass on Saturday at the Knight Center of Jesuit High School in Beaverton. He was 25.

For those who attended, from across the United States and from as far away as India and South America, the Iraq war had become very real.

Fennerty was killed Jan. 20 in Anbar province while riding in a military vehicle that was struck by a roadside bomb. He had trained at Fort Benning, Ga., and was stationed at Fort Richardson, Alaska, with the 25th Infantry Division's 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne). He was the 77th military member with strong ties to Oregon or Southwest Washington to be killed in Iraq.

Brig. Gen. Gregg Martin, commander of the Army Corps of Engineers, Northwestern Division, represented the Army chief of staff in awarding a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star to Fennerty posthumously Saturday.

Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski, who tries to attend all the funerals of soldiers from the state, spoke of a young man "in whose hands I would confidently place the future of Oregon." He was "the son every parent wants, the student every teacher wants, the soldier every commanding officer wants."

The governor likened Fennerty to St. Patrick, who faced fear with confidence, and recited the prayer of St. Ignatius of Loyola, who founded the Jesuits.

Fennerty was born July 2, 1981, at a Navy hospital in San Diego, while his father was on active duty in the Navy. He was the second of four children. His family lived in Tucson, Ariz., during his childhood and moved to Portland when he was 12.

His younger brother, Conor Fennerty, told of a brother who lived "la dolce vita," loving food and drink -- especially Pabst Blue Ribbon beer -- in the company of friends and making impulse purchases at the grocery store. And he told of a proud Catholic who loved the Army's pomp and ceremony.

"He was not a saint, but what we should all aspire to be," Conor Fennerty concluded.

His younger sister, Colleen Fennerty, told of a brother who loved "chick flicks," who took 30 minutes to wake up, who gave big bear hugs and giant grins. His older sister, Kelly Fennerty, told of her distress at learning he had joined the Army.

His mother, Maureen Fennerty, told of a son who loved Harry Potter books and cried easily -- a simple man who was "so proud to be a soldier."

His father, Dr. M. Brian Fennerty, spoke last. "Last September, just before leaving for Iraq, I knew you were scared, despite your bravado," he said, speaking directly to the casket, with its white pall and crucifix on top.

But Fennerty had told his father he was more worried about his fellow soldiers with families who would have to go on food stamps during deployment.

Fennerty had been scheduled to return home in February on leave. The holder of a bachelor's degree in history, he had hoped to earn a credential to teach the subject.

Remembrances may be sent to Army Emergency Relief for needy Army families, www.aerhq.org

From the Oregonian

Related Link:
Sean Patrick Fennerty reported killed in Iraq