Sgt. McCloskey to return to Fayette 10:30 a.m. today

Tue, 09/22/2009 - 3:48pm
By: John Munford

The homecoming for former Peachtree City resident Sgt. Shawn P. McCloskey, who died Sept. 16 while serving in Afghanistan, will occur this Wednesday at 10:30 a.m.

At that time Sgt. 1st Class McCloskey, a highly-decorated Green Beret who served in Special Forces, will land at Falcon Field in Peachtree City with his military escort. From Falcon Field, the procession will go north on Ga. Highway 74 before turning east on Ga. Highway 54 all the way into downtown Fayetteville. The procession will then turn onto north Jeff Davis Drive before ending at Mowell Funeral Home.

McCloskey lived in Peachtree City and worked for Leslie Construction before enlisting in the Army, though he did not grow up in the city as erroneously reported by the Army.

He was serving his third tour in the Global War on Terror when his vehicle was struck by an explosive device Sept. 15, according to the Army. At the time he was patrolling in the Afghan city of Ghur Ghuri in support of combat operations while serving with Company B, 3rd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne).

McCloskey is survived by his wife Jessica, daughter Katie and son Collin of Raeford, N.C., parents Patrick and Kathryn McCloskey, sister Kelly A. (McCloskey) Anderson and nieces Morgan and Emma Anderson, all of Fayetteville.

A visitation will be Friday, Sept. 25 from 5:30-7 p.m. at St. Matthew Catholic Church in Tyrone. A vigil for the deceased will begin at 7 p.m. and a funeral mass will be said Saturday, Sept. 26 at 10:30 a.m., also at St. Matthew.

In lieu of flowers the family is asking friends to donate to the Katie and Colin McCloskey scholarship fund at any Regions Bank location.

McCloskey, a native of Hudson, N.Y., was assigned to Company B, 3rd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne).

His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, non-commissioned officer professional development ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Senior Parachutist Badge, Special Operations Diver Supervisor Badge and the Special Forces Tab.

McCloskey’s military education includes the Warrior Leader’s Course, Basic NCO Course, Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course, Special Operations Target Interdiction Course and Special Forces Qualification Course.

Others include Combat Diver Course, Special Operations Diving Supervisor Course, Air Movement Operations Course, Basic Airborne Course and Jumpmaster Course.

login to post comments

Comment viewing options

Select your preferred way to display the comments and click "Save settings" to activate your changes.
Submitted by PS1441 on Wed, 09/23/2009 - 11:34am.

Thank you to those that came out to line the route from Falcon Field to Mowells to support the family of Sgt. 1st Class Shawn McCloskey.

Submitted by PTCGOIL on Wed, 09/23/2009 - 11:50am.

family for letting us show our gratitude. Keep this thought with you all for the next days and weeks. "God is closest to those whose hearts are broken."

When little Katie and Collin are old enough, please let them know that their father wanted a better, safer world for them. Tell them how dedicated their father was to ensuring that for them. And tell them there there is, nor will there be, any finer father than their father.

Submitted by PTCBernie on Wed, 09/23/2009 - 11:24am.

There was a nice turnout for this morning's event at Falcon Field. My condolences to his family, and my sincere thanks for his efforts and sacrifice.

B

Submitted by sandytoes on Wed, 09/23/2009 - 12:28pm.

I was thankful and touched to be there to help honor this man and his family.
Once the procession passed, I could return to my life as I know it. It will be so long until this family will be able to do this. May God bless and comfort them in the days and weeks to come.

Comment viewing options

Select your preferred way to display the comments and click "Save settings" to activate your changes.