US

Condolence Letter From Senator Screws Up Name of Fallen Soldier

Sgt. Sean Collins, a soldier killed in Afghanistan earlier this month, was finally laid to rest Wednesday. For weeks the family has graciously accepted an outpouring of condolences from friends and strangers alike. “As a father of someone killed, it is overwhelming,” says Lt. Col. Patrick Collins (Ret.), Sgt. Collins’ father.

But not all notes of sympathy have helped ease the Collins family’s pain. In fact, as the News Tribune reports, empathetic messages sent from two politicians actually stung the family.

Condolence Letter From Senator Screws Up Name of Fallen Soldier

Sgt. Sean Collins

After hearing the news of their son’s passing, the Collins say they received a letter of condolences from the office of Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash. At first the family appreciated the fact that Sen. Cantwell had taken time out of her busy schedule to acknowledge their son’s sacrifice. But the letter inadvertently misidentified their dead son:

“Again, please accept my warmest condolences. May your memories of Bryn and the knowledge that he made a positive impact on the lives of so many serve as a source of comfort to you during this time of sorrow.”

The letter from Cantwell, dated Dec. 20 and delivered to Sean Collins’ mother, conveyed to the family that Cantwell’s staff had sent the family a form letter.  “They couldn’t even proofread it,” Collins’ mother said. “I’m sure if [Cantwell's] son had died, she would’ve at least wanted his name spelled correctly.”

“That’s just sloppy staff work, that’s an embarrassment,” Patrick Collins said.

In a separate instance, Patrick Collins called the White House to ask President Obama to call his ex-wife, Linda, to talk about their son.  Instead, Collins said the White House told him that the president did not regularly make phone calls to the families of fallen soldiers.  The slight came, Collins says, when he later learned that President Obama had phoned the Philadelphia Eagles with praise for owner Jeffery Lurie for giving Michael Vick a “second chance.”

“That burns,” Collins said.  “Any soldier that gets killed in action, you’d think the president would be calling someone in the family.”

“There’s no politics in it.  His predecessor did it,” he said.

Collins’ son, Sean, died with five of his fellow soldiers on Dec. 12 in a suicide attack on their combat outpost in Afghanistan’s Kandahar Province.  The 2004 Yelm High School grad had volunteered for his last tour with the 101st Airborne Division out of Ft. Campbell, Ky.  It was his third combat deployment in five years.

Collins was laid to rest Thursday as hundreds of family members and friends gathered to pay their respects.

“My son was a hero,” Collins’ father said. “He could have stayed at Campbell. He had dwell time. He was a team leader and he wanted to go with his team.”

Comments (81)

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  • Ray2447
    Posted on January 1, 2011 at 9:36am

    My deepest condolences and respect. Sgt. Sean Collins gave his all for America. Our debt to him can never be paid. He served the country he loved in devotion to righteousness and in defense of its Constitution. He is an example to us all. May he rest in peace and may his family be comforted, I pray.

    Report Post »  
  • SlimnRanger
    Posted on January 1, 2011 at 8:51am

    May God wrap his arms of love around the family ,Sean was an amazing young man although i didn’t know him,any soldier willing to defend this great nation is truly a hero,To the Collins family loosing your son has to be the most painfull experience of a parent,but rest assured most of Americans are reaching out to you all with our prayers and as for Obama one day he will stand before God for his actions,My condolences to the Collins family

    Report Post »  
  • Ronko
    Posted on January 1, 2011 at 8:42am

    Its called Spell Check

    Report Post »  
  • mcpbob
    Posted on January 1, 2011 at 7:59am

    cnsrvtvj your an ass

    Report Post » mcpbob  
  • murphytavern
    Posted on January 1, 2011 at 7:47am

    i offer my condolences to the family of Sgt Sergent Collins family

    Report Post »  
  • LIBSALWAYSLIE
    Posted on January 1, 2011 at 7:05am

    cnsrvtvj, you are COLD. Get a heart, smarten up, learn what is appropriate.

    Report Post » LIBSALWAYSLIE  
  • scguitar
    Posted on January 1, 2011 at 4:13am

    God rest his soul.
    What does this tell you about the people running this country? They don’t care about us or the people that save their @$$. The Senator couldn‘t take the two seconds to spell the soldiers’ name right.

    Report Post »  
  • Anne G
    Posted on January 1, 2011 at 3:03am

    Good grief. What I read too much of here is some lefty throws a curve ball, and
    right on command too many people forget the fallen soldier. Screw the lefty and
    his commercial. Keep an eye on the soldier and his grieving family. My
    prayers go up for the family.

    Report Post » Anne G  
  • TRUTHSEEKINGAL
    Posted on January 1, 2011 at 2:53am

    Words often fall short in such of time of loss Lt Col Collins, but I do offer my sincere condolences to you and your family for the ultimate sacrifice your beloved son, Sgt Sean Collins made in service to his country. I am from Wash. state,and I’m ashamed of our elected officials .As you know our state has leaned so far to the left politically that priorities are pathetically off balance. Once we were proud of our military represented from the evergreen state. When I was a young girl my father came home from a deployment to Vietnam. The entire neighborhood lined the street with flags and welcomed him as a hero.Sadly that doesn’t happen any longer. Please know that there are still a few citizens such as myself who honor the service of you sir and your hero son. I will pray for your family during this time of grief and will not forget his selfless service. He and his fellow fallen brothers will be honored in the Kingdom of God.

    Report Post » TRUTHSEEKINGAL  
  • scout n ambush
    Posted on January 1, 2011 at 2:27am

    Deepest sympathy for his family and friends .and the family of the others killed this year airborne marine or army. We are not surprised are we i said it before i say it again he has no respect for any service member they are nothing but background prop’s or pawns he could care less.B hussien sotero hates the constitution and he dosen’t understand what ” This we’ll defend ” means .Good man gone but why anybody would jump out of a perfectly good airplane i will never understand.It takes a special kind to go airborne.And he is most certainly among the heavenly airborne right now.God speed!

    Report Post » scout n ambush  
  • butler180
    Posted on January 1, 2011 at 1:40am

    Prez Obama loves Vic, an animal who hung, beat, slammed to the ground and finally killed helpless dogs.
    Pres Obama has no love or respect for the US Military or Americans who do not agree with him or bow to him or otherwise pay him homage.
    Than why is it such a surprise that he would not call/meet the parents of a fallen hero?
    And don’t forget he would have to take time out of his zillionth vacation or photo opt to call the family

    Report Post » butler180  
  • dontbotherme
    Posted on January 1, 2011 at 1:38am

    To Sean’s family: please accept my sincere regret for the loss of your son. Thank you for your family’s service to our great country. Your fellow countrymen stand with you. God bless you all & God help you with your loss. I am sorry for your pain.

    Report Post »  
  • Sunnyr
    Posted on January 1, 2011 at 1:31am

    I always suspected that Maria Cantwell was a frickin’ idiot. My condolences to the family of Sgt. Collins. God Speed to a hero who was taken much too soon.

    Report Post » Sunnyr  
    • Republic
      Posted on January 1, 2011 at 8:07pm

      I live in Washington State and have been embarrassed to have Cantwell as a Senator for a long time. I hope that we unseat her when she comes up for re-election. On another note, my sympathy goes out to the family’s of the fallen!

      Report Post »  
  • NCO
    Posted on January 1, 2011 at 1:20am

    To Sean’s Mother and Father: God Bless You. May your grief be relieved by our Just and Mighty God. May He ease your pain, and guide you to comfort. I am sure I served with men (heroes) there, just like your son. God Bless them all.

    Report Post »  
  • DVT
    Posted on January 1, 2011 at 1:03am

    figgers!…too busy to proof read a so called personal message?…whata douchebag!

    Report Post »  
  • FarSideGuy
    Posted on January 1, 2011 at 12:51am

    This is an embarrassment to the Senate and the White House of this great nation. For shame!

    Report Post » FarSideGuy  
  • LadyJustice
    Posted on January 1, 2011 at 12:50am

    May God Bless the family and friends of Sgt. Sean Collins.

    Your loved one paid the ultimate price protecting our Nation. I am forever grateful to Sean-A true American Hero. Lt. Col. Collins – thank you, sir, for your service as well. It is unspeakable the way the “commander-in-chief” (lower case intentional) once again demonstrates how out of touch he is with our Brave Military. He can play golf, basketball, vacation and even praise athletes who have fallen from grace, yet he can’t take a few moments from his day to express the gratitude of this Nation to a family who has given and lost so very much. Absolutely shameful behavior on the part of the president and the incompetent Washington senator (D).

    Report Post » LadyJustice  
  • pamela kay
    Posted on January 1, 2011 at 12:44am

    It shows our presidents priorties. God Bless this family. I would like to send them my condolences as well.Our military hero’s deseve respect and honor from everyone in this country. This family did a wonderful job of raising a true patriot.

    Report Post » pamela kay  
  • excelizen
    Posted on January 1, 2011 at 12:30am

    I just read how Sgt. Collins and his family have been dishonored by the local politician and his Commander in Chief. I just want them to know that we are a family in Florida, we know Sean’s name, how he served and… how he died. Honor is not a trait valued by most of our politicians but it is by my family and hundreds of thousands of other families that are the real America. Tonight we pray for peace for his mother Linda and his father the Lt. Col. I can only pledge to Sean’s memory that my family will not forget his sacrifice and the sacrifice of his squad members. May God bless all of these families and provide them with the peace that “surpasses all understanding” while He welcomes their sons (and daughters) into His glorious presence until the day we are reunited with them. We will not forget!

    Report Post »  
    • Dale
      Posted on January 1, 2011 at 12:57am

      Thank you for your kind words!

      Report Post » Dale  
    • Plankchapel
      Posted on January 1, 2011 at 2:08am

      @EXCELIZEN -

      Beautifully said! Thank you for your thoughtfulness.

      I cannot think of anything worse than having to attend your child’s funeral; and this son was a hero in the eyes of American citizens, even if he wasn’t one in the eyes of the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces.

      (Vick must have told Obama that he “wanted his life back!”)

      Report Post »  
    • toidiegalliv
      Posted on January 1, 2011 at 11:00am

      The Lord said that no greater love has any man than that he lay down his life for his friends. You have spoken in a way that shows you are a friend to Sean and his family, his dad and mom in their respective roles, also being willing to lay down their lives for their friends. Is there a greater dishonor than to take the benefits derived from such a love based sacrifice and then take them for granted and even scorn the love and honor that drove the giving of the sacrifice? The current administration as well as most of government (for a long time now) is in such a state of depravity that I do not have the vocabulary to address it. By the example you have set with your tender and “friendly” words you have shed a little light on the pall of darkness intent on enveloping our land. My best regards to you, well said and thanks.

      Report Post »  
    • 338lapua
      Posted on January 1, 2011 at 7:51pm

      Sometimes when the ball is dropped, we need to forget the dropper for now and focus on Sean, an American Hero who fell protecting me, and you and his family, and yes the ball dropper too. No thought was given prior to his final act of valor. Therefore I would like to personally thank Sean’s family for their service. A son is a terrible sacrifice. Forget the wrong. Make this an event to warm the hearts of others,when you can. I make donations in the names of the fallen whenever I can, remember them daily. And support those who did come home, all are precious. Remember them.

      Report Post »  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on January 1, 2011 at 12:29am

    My condolences to the family…and the state of Washington.

    Report Post » Gonzo  
  • dwh320
    Posted on January 1, 2011 at 12:26am

    So whats the surprise here?

    But over in the senate sSuch distortions and hiding of facts. Shame on the supporters of changing the rules for the filibuster. Back when Democrats were in the minority the thought of changing the rules was declared a attack on out constitution and the fabric and traditions of the senate. Back then to make the Republicans look like evil people you called it “the nuclear option” but now to hide the true intent of the Progressive Democrats in charge you want to call it “the constitutional option.”. Media Matters has noted, reporters now frequently say that the “nuclear option” is what “Democrats call” the attempt to kill off the filibuster. So now in a era where the people want congress to follow the Constitution a slick name change was needed and the left leaning media were eager to help.

    Everything you wanted to know about the “nuclear option” By Tim Grieve for Salon.com
    “May 12, 2005 | To hear the partisans on either side describe it, the coming debate over Bill Frist’s plan to kill the filibuster is a thing of apocalyptic proportions. “ He went on to qoats Democratic National Committee chairman Howard Dean says Republicans are fixing to ”blow up 200 years of Senate history” just because they’re not getting their way on a handful of “radical” judicial nominees. Now it can be said that because Progressive Democrats cant get their way they want to change the rules to benefit them. The hell with 200+ years of Senate tradition Howard Dean talked about in 2005.

    The people rejected the Progressive agenda in Nov. by taking away from the Progressives total control of the Senate. This is clearly a attempted power grab. The media would be going nuts about this if the Republicans were trying it again. But now that their Progressive Democrat friends are the perpetrator they try to hide it, refuse to report on it, or try to give it a sweet tasting name like “the constitutional option” to confuse the public of the true intent behind the assault on the traditions of the Senate.

    Report Post » dwh320  
  • katiefrankie
    Posted on January 1, 2011 at 12:26am

    And the reason Obama‘s predecessor called fallen soldiers’ families is because he had serious class.

    Report Post » katiefrankie  
    • CatB
      Posted on January 1, 2011 at 12:34am

      One thing once again shown lacking in Obama and co. One thing of many .. but this IS a BIG one.

      Report Post »  
    • mharry860
      Posted on January 1, 2011 at 1:10am

      Honor, Duty, Respect, Love of Country to add a couple more.

      Report Post » mharry860  
    • katiefrankie
      Posted on January 1, 2011 at 2:07am

      Amen.

      Report Post » katiefrankie  
    • grandmaof5
      Posted on January 1, 2011 at 8:09am

      Karl Rove‘s book spoke of Bush’s love for our brave soldiers, as did Laura Bush’s book. While there were things I didn’t see eye-to-eye politically with GW, his love for country and our soldiers is something we both agree on. Obama’s disdain for the military and their families is very obvious and pathetic. Prayers go out to family and friends of Sgt Collins.

      Report Post »  
  • CatB
    Posted on January 1, 2011 at 12:26am

    My condolences to the family … God Bless Sean and his patriotic family….What can I say about the Obama Administration .. lack of class just doesn’t go far enough. You would think when a Retired Lt. Col. calls it would carry a little more weight and I agree no politics .. it is just the right thing to do should be the rule and not the exception .. actions speak louder than words once again.. God Bless you and your son from a grateful citizen.

    Report Post »  
    • Dale
      Posted on January 1, 2011 at 12:54am

      CATB;

      You expect barry to do the right think? You haven’t been paying attention.

      Report Post » Dale  
    • flagman texas marine
      Posted on January 1, 2011 at 1:08am

      Semper Fi

      Report Post » flagman texas marine  
    • CatB
      Posted on January 1, 2011 at 2:07am

      No .. and he never surprises me by doing the right thing.

      Report Post »  
    • diesel49
      Posted on January 1, 2011 at 8:58am

      You forgot bo sent vick the shout-out because he’s black, I don’t know what color the sgt. is except in the military everyone is green. I don’t think the racist-in-chief cares a whit about anyone but minorities unless he can get something from them. No racial harmony from that a**hole.

      Report Post »  
  • katiefrankie
    Posted on January 1, 2011 at 12:25am

    Ohhh, unfortunate. That reminds me of my aunt’s pastor and his utter boneheadedness – he pronounced my cousin Dylan’s name “Dye-lan” the whole way through his baptism, and when my little cousin died at 9 months of age, he called my aunt by my mother’s name the entire way through his funeral. I hope my aunt and uncle didn’t have to pay him for those services.

    A little proofreading goes a loooooong way.

    Report Post » katiefrankie  
    • Brooke Lorren
      Posted on January 1, 2011 at 3:59am

      That’s really sad.

      We need more customer service in this world. Whether you’re doing something commercially or even as a volunteer. What happened to actually caring about how other people felt?

      Report Post »  
    • chips1
      Posted on January 1, 2011 at 6:04pm

      First you have to send the letter so you can see what’s in it. Lib policy.

      Report Post »  
  • Rickfromillinois
    Posted on January 1, 2011 at 12:23am

    My condolences to the family.

    Report Post » Rickfromillinois  
    • CatB
      Posted on January 1, 2011 at 12:37am

      @cnsrvtvj

      This is NOT the place for your “commercial”

       
    • cnsrvtvj
      Posted on January 1, 2011 at 1:09am

      @catb – sorry comrade, please let me know what you approve of. Heil!

      cnsrvtvj  
    • lovenfl3
      Posted on January 1, 2011 at 1:17am

      @cnsrvtvj – Lol. You have to love the commies.

      lovenfl3  
    • marhee9
      Posted on January 1, 2011 at 1:21am

      @CATB: Do you mind if I post something? Sounds like you’re in charge of security here.

       
    • cnsrvtvj
      Posted on January 1, 2011 at 1:54am

      @blazinginnc Wow dude, at least your sane. Lol! What are you smoking? Can I have some?

      cnsrvtvj  
    • marhee9
      Posted on January 1, 2011 at 1:58am

      @BLAZINGINNC – Screw you moron. Where did I plug anything? Take your meds idiot.

       
    • CatB
      Posted on January 1, 2011 at 2:04am

      LIttle trolls … just go away ….

       
    • CatB
      Posted on January 1, 2011 at 2:06am

      And take donsmithshow with you.

       
    • marhee9
      Posted on January 1, 2011 at 2:13am

      @CATB Vatever you say Adolph! I know you have vays of making me talk. Lol.

       
    • joe conservative
      Posted on January 1, 2011 at 2:20am

      @cnsrvtvj – I checked that site out. It’s pretty cool. Thanks and happy new year to you and yours.

      joe conservative  
    • cnsrvtvj
      Posted on January 1, 2011 at 2:24am

      Really? How many people listen to you?

      cnsrvtvj  
    • lovenfl3
      Posted on January 1, 2011 at 2:34am

      catb – you seem very angry. Why is that?

      Report Post » lovenfl3  
    • cnsrvtvj
      Posted on January 1, 2011 at 2:41am

      @nfl: Because Nazi’s are angry people. That‘s why they’re nazis.

      cnsrvtvj  
    • demsaredumb
      Posted on January 1, 2011 at 3:49am

      don smith looks like a dork

      Report Post »  
    • Brooke Lorren
      Posted on January 1, 2011 at 3:56am

      >>> Really? How many people listen to you?

      Okay, I just have to be a smartadz. More than 1/2 million in the last 2 years. On two different web sites (that’s for Squidoo and Yahoo/AC; I write for more than 2). And I don’t have to regularly spam these forums (although I have put one link up here a couple of times).

      So how many people really listen to you?

       
    • silveracer44
      Posted on January 1, 2011 at 5:48am

      Using this tragedy to promote partisanship is BS. My condolences to the family.

      Happy New Year.

      Report Post »  
    • Cemoto78
      Posted on January 1, 2011 at 7:13am

      Another true patriot giving his all for the greatest country in the world. My condolences to his family and to all of those families past and present. From a former Marine Corps Vietnam Era vet.

      Report Post » Cemoto78  
    • CYCLONE
      Posted on January 1, 2011 at 8:59am

      Apparently Sister Maria had a few too many Tom Collins…ppffttttt….

      Report Post »  
    • snowleopard3200 {cat folk art}
      Posted on January 1, 2011 at 11:28am

      Should this screwup on the part of a DC staffer and the official snubbing of the POTUS come as a great shock to anyone?

      I ask the family to accept my condolences, and prayers to the Almighty to help them remember their son for the good things and good times in life he brought into the world and the community about him.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • getalong
      Posted on January 1, 2011 at 3:14pm

      My prayers and support for Sean’s family. Sean is a hero. Shame on Obama for treating the families of soldiers with such little respect.

      Report Post »  
    • asmith
      Posted on January 2, 2011 at 1:41am

      This really lets you know where the priority lies. Politicians think it totaly cool to call their favorite sports figures but send a form letter to the family of a fallen soldier who died in service to the country that they themself “serve”. Idiots, fire them all and get someone who knows what caring about someone else is.

      Report Post »  
    • eddvoss
      Posted on January 2, 2011 at 10:36am

      It pains me to say that she is one of my Senators, and the classlessness of the POTUS doesn’t surprise me. I sent a book to the former FL and received a hand signed note from her. My gift was nowhere near the gift that this family gave. It would have taken very little for Senator Cantwell or the POTUS to have spelled the name correctly or made the phone call.

      Report Post » eddvoss  
    • Hercey
      Posted on January 2, 2011 at 9:26pm

      Sgt. Sean Collins was more than a soldier to the Americans he choose to protect.
      All of the roles Sgt. Sean Collins filled during his young life are no match to the empty
      roles being played out by his Commander-in-Chief.

      America’s President is on a joy ride with a blank check. Expect to be squashed under his feet.
      The past actions of Obama reflect he has little in accomplishments and plenty in running out
      during a tough situation.

      Little “o” (Obama) participating, as our Commander-in-Chief, believes cruelty is a forgivable offense. Therefore, little “o” will feel he and the D-Wash. Senator Maria Cantwell, deserve a 2nd chance from the Sgt. Sean Collins family.

      I pray the Collins Family will come to realize the Senator’s “condolence letter” is a campaign strategy and reflects the truth about crude/self serving politicians.

      The White House disregarding the fallen Soldier: Sgt. Sean Collins, is absolutely unacceptable. “Thank God”, the attitude of the present White House is a temporary state.

      America shall Honor and Stand By Sgt. Sean Collins.
      Americans will work diligently, to unseat these same politicians.

      Mr. President, shame on you, Sgt. Sean Collins gave his Life to protect the Office you hold..

      Report Post »  
    • UPSETVET
      Posted on January 3, 2011 at 6:26am

      It doesn’t speak highly of a President, who happens to be the Commander-in-Chief of All Us Military Forces, when he can call a NFL Football Team owner to congratulate him for giving Michael Vick a second chance, ( a convicted felon )but can‘t call a fallen soldier’s mom to offer his condolences. It tells us where Obama’s interest is centered, in wrong things and people. Omama knew he would get media coverage of his remark about Vick, but, he didn‘t think a call to a dead soldier’s mom would. I personal think he owes the family of Sean Collins a personal apology. His actions as the Commander-in-Chief of the fallen warrior is unacceptable e irresponsible.

      Report Post »  
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