Pfc Stephen Anthony Castellano

L.B. soldier paid ultimate price for freedom

Loved ones remember Pfc. Stephen Castellano, who died in Iraq.

By Tracy Manzer Staff writer

LONG BEACH — Army Pfc. Stephen Anthony Castellano was always a fighter, from his birth until the day he died.

And he was always on the side of the good fight, his family said in a joint statement Wednesday, whether it was something as simple as a personal disagreement, or the defense of an entire nation.

"Stephen gave his life protecting the most basic rights of a formerly oppressed people; the right to live in freedom and their right to express that freedom by exercising the right to participate in the formation of the government that will ultimately rule over them."

"Men and women in a country that didn't recognize women as anything more than property as recently as two years ago will be involved in the creation of a fledgling democracy. They will struggle. They will stumble and fall. It will not be perfect, but it will be free. Stephen knew this and sacrificed his freedom for their freedom. Steve paid the ultimate price to defend our freedom here in the United States and give liberty a chance to grow throughout the world."

Such are the words of Castellano's family, who banded together to write a tribute to their son, brother, nephew and hometown hero who was killed in Iraq on Friday.

Details released by the Pentagon regarding his death were sketchy, and government officials Tuesday would say only that the infantryman was killed in a non-combat-related incident.

His family, however, was told that Stephen, assigned to C Company of the 1st Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment out of Schofield Barracks in Hawaii, and another soldier were in a sniper position when they were discovered. A firefight broke out, and Stephen was shot in the head. He was pronounced dead at a military hospital.

Tuesday would have been the young soldier's 21st birthday. Instead of celebrating her eldest child's milestone day, however, Susan Moncure spent Feb. 1 preparing to bury her boy.

She hopes that her son's body will be returned home in time for a funeral service Friday. As of Wednesday, she was still awaiting news from the Army.

Services will be held at Faith Presbyterian Church, 500 E. San Antonio Drive, in Long Beach, and the burial will follow at nearby All Souls Cemetery, 4400 Cherry Ave. But it is not yet clear what time and what day, she said.

Moncure was not able to speak to her son for several weeks before he was killed, she said Wednesday. Although she clearly remembers their last three conversations, and she said the family was able to spend two weeks with Stephen over the Thanksgiving holiday when he was on leave.

"It was such a happy time," she recalled Wednesday, her voice revealing her grief and exhaustion. "I'm trying to think of the happy times."

His unit, the 1-14 "Golden Dragons," were set to leave Iraq in a few weeks after 12 months crisscrossing the country, fighting Muqtada al-Sadr's Mahdi army in Najaf in April, and serving in Kirkuk, Samarra and Mosul, said Army Sgt. T. Washington, of Schofield Barracks, on Wednesday.

The battalion was so traveled that soldiers dubbed their deployment the Golden Dragons Iraq Tour 2004. Despite the combat, Schofield Barracks officials said 1-14 had not lost a soldier until now. Battalion representatives declined to comment about Stephen's death Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger ordered flags at the state Capitol flown at half-staff.

"Pfc. Castellano served his country with honor," Schwarzenegger said in a statement. "Maria and I send our heartfelt sympathies and gratitude to Stephen's family and friends. His selfless service to our country will be remembered and our prayers are with his loved ones at this time."

Stephen joined the Army on Feb. 11, 2003, fresh from his high school graduation. His enlistment followed a proud family tradition of military service; his mother had been in the Navy and his father was a Marine.

Stephen is the fourth member of the armed forces from Long Beach killed since the start of the war, and his death brought the number of U.S. military fatalities to 1,434 Tuesday. Since the start of the Iraq war in March 2003, at least 1,096 have died as a result of hostile action, the Defense Department stated.

Relatives said Wednesday that Stephen had done more in his 20 short years than most people accomplish in full lifetimes. He was forever putting others before himself, and he was always ready for the call of duty, they said.

He is survived by his grandmother, Cecelia Moncure; his mother, Susan Moncure; his father, Paul Castellano; his brother, Timothy Castellano and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

"Our family, and our friends, have been so supportive, so wonderful," Susan said. "If it weren't for them, I don't know how I would manage."

 

Comments

[Carla Miranda]

Stephen A. Castellano was a great man that I love very much. He lived life to the fullest and now he is watching us from above. I sit in gradtitude everyday for be able to meet such a special person who cared so deeply for the ones he loved. I love you Stephen. Till we meet again...

[Jessica Brown]

Stephen was contagious. No matter who you were, when you met Stephen you couldn't leave without taking a piece of him with you. I will miss his laughter, his jokes, his many questions, and his overall loving self. I am blessed to have met, known, and learned from Stephen Anthony Castellano. He is a diamond that everyone wanted but could not have. His sparkle will continue to shine through all that have known him. Andrew and I love you and miss you Stephen! (the Godfather) Till we meet again...
Love,
Jess

[andrew hughes]

although i don't fully undertand God's intent on taking such a beautiful young man so prematurly, i know heaven is a better place with his presence. Stephen, you are missed like no other. I feel both honored and privlaged to have known you. Tim and susan, i will be home soon. i will see you. like stephen said," a man hath no greater love than this, to give his blood for his brother"- john 15:13. godfather i love and miss you.
love,
andrew

[Carlmelo, Erica & Nishjah Garcia]

Stephen, you were a great person that will be missed unbearably... Our family just learned of you passing but only because the child you loved so much came up to me & handed me one of your old letters that you wrote to her father from Iraq & that made me search for where you were only to find a tardily ...it was like you were there in spirit to let us now what had happened to... We want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for being there & looking out for us no matter what.... You were a soldier before you even went in the service always helping, giving & looking out for people weather you knew them for 2 seconds or two years.... You loved Nishjah our daughter like she was your own... & looked after Carlmelo like he was your brother... We'll never forget you & what you did for this Country ...I know your at peace now looking over allot of people & know that Carlmelo & Nishjah have an angel looking after them so i feel at peace too.... although Nishjah is only 4 years old now I'll make sure she remembers & knows who her guardian angel is... Rest in peace Stephen..

Love,
Carlmelo, Erica & Nishjah Garcia

[Carlmelo, Erica & Nishjah Garcia]

Stephen,
You were a great person that will be missed unbearably ... Our family just learned of your passing but only becasue the child that you loved so much came up to me & handed me one of your old letters that you had wrote to her father from Iraq & that made me search for where you were only to find tragedy. It was like you were there in spirit to let us know what had happened to you... We want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for being there & looking out for us no matter what... You were a soldier before you even went in to the service, always helping, giving & looking out for people weather you knew them for 2 seconds or 2 years... You loved Nishjah our daughter like she was your own..& looked after Carlmelo like he was your brother... We'll never forget you & what you did for this Country... I know your at peace now, looking over allot of people & know that Carlmelo & Nishjah have an angel looking out for them I feel at peace too... Although Nishjah is only 4 years old now I'll make sure she remembers & knows who her guardian angel is.. Rest in peace Stephen..

Love,
Carlmelo, Erica & Nishjah Garcia

["Steve's pen-pal"]

Stephen was my pen pal. I only met him once, but I could tell he had a lot to live for. He was sweet and I hope he is at peace now.

[spc. Nicholas P. de Groot]

Its been more than a year since i seen cas. I remember walking around a base in kuwait with him in the middle of the night, it was christmas time, and we just got back from leave while we were in sammara. Its my fondest memory of the man. We spoke about philosophey in the light of the oil fires, lp/op (listening point/ observation points), and in the middle of patrols. He was a fellow infantryman,freind, and a.g. I think about him every day since then. I miss you cas.

Nick

[Paul Gonzales]

It's been over three years now since I was last with Stephen and yet everyday he is still with me in my heart and in my eyes. I can even still hear him and his laugh. His life will never be forgotten by those who had the honor to serve beside him. Though we lost him tragically his life was a blessing to us. I hope to see you soon bro!

Gonzo Feb 2008

[juli castellano]

one of my very favorite people...my precious nephew...my Stephen...there has not been a day that i do not think about you...i love you juli

[anonymous]

Smile’s bright, but smiles fade.
Forecast shows clear skies
But my sky is gray
January 28th 2005, seems like the day my soul truely died
Thought you would always be there to ride.
Sometimes I’m strong other times I’m at a still
Cause once someone you really love is gone
How are you suppose to feel?
Your cousin died for a good cause is what they say
Everytime I replay that my heart stops, man I wish I had another day.
Just to say goodbye & hug you tight
Well every night I pray, we’ll be together soon Right?
11 years old, how do you deal?
Cryin’ to my mom hopin’ it wasn’t real.
In my great-grandmothers arms asking her could they get the dog tags wrong?
She said honey just know he’s in a better place, with God.
He was harder than a rock, looked like Jon B.
Loved me to death, stayed with the homies.
If you knew Steve you know he turned his life around.
In the end he was the only one that never let me down.
The night came for him to sleep.
And I wish I didn’t but still I weep.
I miss your voice, I love you still.
God took you from me against my will.
January nights are cold, February days are sad.
But in the end I think I’m suppose to be glad.
Cause I know you’re happier where you’re at.
But please stay with me & by my side so my high doesn’t go flat.............

I love you Stephen.

[Jordans 4]

The true state of abundance doesn’t have room for lies or games normally played. The space is too full of abundance. This may be a challenge because we still need to shine for other to see.

[RamonGustav]

Congratulations! You have so much useful information, write more.

[Antivirus_man]

You write well will be waiting for your new publications.

[JOBS_frend]

You write well will be waiting for your new publications.

[school_dubl]

Hi Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

[Website of the day]

This is really a extremely beneficial read for me, Have to admit you might be 1 in the most effective bloggers I ever saw.Thanks for posting

[susan moncure]

Happy Birthday Stephen!!!!