Mi’kmaq soldier never questioned war
November 02, 2006
(CP)
FREDERICTON — A Mi’kmaq mother whose son was killed in action with the U.S. Army in Iraq says he never questioned the controversial war or his participation in it.
Cpl. Michael Seeley, 27, of Fredericton was killed by insurgents while on patrol in Iraq earlier this week—just a few days before he was due to return home.
His mother, Theresa Seeley, said yesterday she just found out her son was being promoted to sergeant in recognition of his dedication and hard work during two tours of duty in the country.
She called her son a true warrior.
“He fully believed in it [the war],” she said in an interview from her Fredericton home.
“He fully believed that people were being hurt who shouldn’t be hurt and it was their job to protect them,” she added. “He believed Saddam Hussein had to be stopped and that’s what he did.”
Seeley said her son prepared the family, including father, Lorne, and five siblings, for the possibility that he would not survive Iraq.
“He knew the risks,” she said.
“He knew his job was dangerous. He always preached to me, ‘Be ready if it does happen. If it doesn’t, that’s great, but be ready.’
“I would try to brush it off because you don’t want to hear that from your children . . . but he would insist.”
Seeley said her son’s body was in Kuwait yesterday and was to be flown to Delaware for an autopsy.
The body then will be flown to New Brunswick, but funeral arrangements had not been finalized.
Since Canadian aboriginals have dual citizenship and are considered citizens of North America, there is a long-standing tradition of First Nations people crossing the border to join the U.S. military.
T.J. Burke, New Brunswick’s newly-appointed justice minister and the first aboriginal to be elected to the provincial legislature, is a former U.S. paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne based at Fort Bragg, N.C.
Aboriginal leaders say there is a strong attraction for young people from Canada’s high-unemployment reserves to look to the U.S. military for a career.
Chief Terry Nelson of the Roseau River First Nation, about 90 km south of Winnipeg, said the American military is more attractive than the Canadian Forces.
“The U.S. Army treats you a lot better,” said Nelson, an Ojibway.
“They’re better equipped. I mean the Canadian army is not that well equipped,” he added. “It kind of defeats the purpose of having a machine gun when you’re only allowed a few bullets.
“In the States, you’re well-trained, and the spirit is different.
“It’s difficult to find a Canadian flag on a Canadian reserve,” noted Nelson. “But in the U.S., all of the American reservations celebrate the fourth of July and there are flags everywhere.”
Published by Fort Frances Times Online - November 2, 2006.
SGT. SEELEY, MICHAEL TODD
The death of Sgt. Michael Todd Seeley, 27, of Fredericton, NB, occurred on October 30, 2006 in Baghdad, Iraq. Seeley was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas. Sgt. Seeley is the beloved son of Theresa and Lorne Seeley. Sgt. Seeley graduated from Fredericton High School in June of 1998. He joined the Canadian Forces in 1998 and was employed with the 1st Battalion Royal New Brunswick Regiment until early 1999. Michael enlisted into the United States Marine Corp. on July 19, 1999. He began his training on August 11, 1999 at Parris Island, North Carolina. Mike completed his basic training on November 4, 1999. While with the Marines, Mike did tours in Japan, South America, Africa and Iraq. On completion of his four years with the Marines, he was honourably discharged and then joined the American Army where he has been serving ever since. While serving with the Army, he has served in Korea and Iraq. Besides his parents, Sgt. Seeley is survived by brothers and sisters, Rod Seeley (Pam), Dawna Gilbert (Jim), Velma Seeley (Dave), Andy Seeley (Sheila), Jessica Seeley (Jason), Lorne R.W. Seeley, Thomas Seeley and Harry Seeley, as well as several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins. He was predeceased by his grandparents, Jean Seeley; Lillian and Wallace LaBillois. Visitation will take place at York Funeral Home, 302 Brookside Drive on Wednesday, November 8, 2006 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 pm. Members of the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch # 4, Fredericton are asked to assemble at York Funeral Home on Wednesday at 6:30 pm for a Legion Tribute Service. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated from Our Lady of Fatima Roman Catholic Church on Thursday, November 9, 2006 at 2 pm with Father Maurice Swift as celebrant. Interment will take place at St. Anthony's Cemetery. For those who wish, remembrances made to the Canadian Red Cross Society would be appreciated by the family. Personal condolences may be offered through www.yorkfh.com
Published by The Daily Gleaner - New Brunswick - November 7, 2006.
[Great-great-great-grandson of SGS # 3278 - Michael Todd; Lorne; Robert Richard; William Frederick; William; William A. (# 3278); Asahel ( # 1432); Ezekiel; Obadiah; Obadiah; Obadiah; Obadiah]
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