Photo By 1st Lt. Desmond Jones | A bust of Lance Cpl. Casey L. Casanova, sculpted by Cliff Leonard, is unveiled during...... read more read more
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A brave Marine sacrificed her life to defend the freedom of her country in the Global War on Terrorism. Despite the conflicts and op-tempo of the war, it was said that one could guarantee to see a bright smile on her face and positive attitude from this Marine. Her name was Lance Cpl. Casey L. Casanova.
Casanova was the first and only female service member from Mississippi killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), and one of only three Mississippi women in all operations during the extensive Global War on Terrorism. Casanova, a native of McComb, was honored in a dedication and unveiling ceremony at the Mississippi Armed Forces Museum, Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center, Mississippi, Nov. 10, 2022 – the Marine Corps’ 247th birthday.
“Casey was very sad about the conditions for the women in the country she was serving,” said Paula Caruth, Gold Star Mother of Casanova. Caruth explained how Casanova reminded her how thankful she was for life back home.
Seeing the treatment of the locals during OIF influenced Casanova to join a program to help the women in that country. Following her passing, Mr. Cliff Leonard, a Marine Vietnam veteran and a Jacksonville, Florida sculptor known for sculpting fallen servicemembers, sculpted a bust to honor Casanova.
"It’s always moving and emotional for me because I know they lost a loved one, just like I lost some of my friends in Vietnam,” said Leonard. “You just don’t get over that and I just want them to have something that they can touch.”
Leonard expressed that the sculpted piece was intended to remind the family, friends and loved ones of Casanova and her bravery and commitment to the United States Marine Corps.
Casanova’s memory touched every person in attendance at the ceremony, ending with an old clip of her singing, “Jesus, Take the Wheel” by Carrie Underwood during her deployment.
Casanova’s exhibit and sculpture is now open to the public at the Mississippi Armed Forces Museum.
| Date Taken: | 11.10.2022 |
| Date Posted: | 04.05.2023 10:52 |
| Story ID: | 441984 |
| Location: | CAMP SHELBY, MISSISSIPPI, US |
| Web Views: | 256 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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