In Memory
UPDATE - June, 2010 - The SAHS Field has been renamed and dedicated to Sean. The field is now named Sims Field. Watch the AFN Korea video tribute to Sean.
November 15, 2004 -- Thirty-two year old Captain Sean Sims from El Paso was the father of an infant son. He was killed by small arms fire while clearing a building in Fallujah. KFOX spoke to a Marine who knows what it's like to be on the front lines of war. Ben Gonzales- Wounded Marine, "I know they're doing a lot of raids in Fallujah to try and capture the insurgents. We did a lot of raids." Lance Corporal Ben Gonzales says he keeps up with the news. Gonzales, a Marine, came home after he was wounded in an explosion in Fallujah. He says he heard about the Captain who was killed. Gonzales, "It's something we have to do as mean and if anyone is going to do it it's the Marines and soldiers." Capt. Sean Sims commanded the 1st Infantry Division's Task Force 2-2. They were in Southwest Fallujah, where pockets of hard-core gunmen were still shooting from houses and low rooftops. Capt. Sims is quoted in an interview with Knight Ridder Newspapers saying: "We've killed a lot of bad guys", he said. "But there's always going to be some guys left. They'll hide out and snipe at us for two months. I hope we've gotten the organized resistance." Sims' men led a CNN crew through the ruins in Southwest Fallujah showing them what was left of the buildings after days of firing. On Saturday Capt. Sims walked into an apparently abandoned house with two soldiers and was suddenly confronted with a room full of armed men. The two soldiers were hit near the shoulder but Sims received deadly wounds. The day before, Sims was still trying to get over the death of his company's executive officer. He was quoted in the article saying: "It's tough. I don't know what to think about it yet. All of this will forever tainted because we lost him." In the article written on his unit, his men said they liked and respected him. Back in his hometown, Gonzales says now Sims has the respect of others who never met him. Gonzales, "He went out as a leader he went out as a soldier. He fought for his country... his family should be proud."
Mary McIntyre (Jackson) (1990)
I remember Sean to truly be a "knight in shining armour". He's always greet people with a smile and always shown kindness to people. When someone needed a shoulder to cry on he would offer it. I know and can surely say that people who knew Sean definitely miss him.
Richard Barnaby (1989)
Sean and I went through Confirmation together - even though the a soccer tournament scheduled on the day of the ceremony. Hell of a great guy that seemed to temper everyone's darker tendancies. Sean was guy that could do no wrong. If anyone knows his folks' address, it would be appreciated.Lee Stuart (1989)
Sean was a great guy. He was a very giving person...his sacrifice will not go unnoticed. Farewell to a brother in arms.Keith Hodges (1967)
Keith Hodges (1967)
Keith Hodges (1967)
The dedication flyer and Silver Star citation were submitted by Ted Jackson. If you can't read it and wish a copy in PDF, email keith.hodges@comcast.net
Keith Hodges (1967)
There are many web pages honoring Sean. The below are especially touching. Thanks to Mr. O’Brien for supplying a long list from which I selected these.