Soldier from Mansfield is mourned at funeral

(Matthew J. Lee/Globe staff)
A military honor team at the funeral today for Army Specialist Corey Shea, 21. Shea was killed last week in Iraq.

By David Abel, Globe Staff

MANSFIELD -- Hundreds of people today came to mourn the loss of this town's first soldier to die in the Iraq war.

Army Specialist Corey Shea, 21, was killed Wednesday near the city of Mosul when he and other soldiers were shot by an Iraqi soldier.

The service at St. Mary's Church included Governor Patrick, Senator John Kerry, US Representative Barney Frank, and officials from the Army, State Police and local police departments.

The casket arrived at the church on a horse-drawn carriage, escorted by motorcycle riders from the Patriot Guard organization along roads lined with flags.

"He was a very good soldier," said Captain John Elliot, with Shea's Third Army cavalry regiment out of Fort Hood, Texas. "Corey was fighting for all of us. … He helped those who couldn't help themselves. "

Shea, a cavalry scout, had been in Iraq for a year, and his tour of duty was set to end in January. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star.

He joined the Army for the camaraderie, the sense of belonging, his family said last week.
Shea is the first soldier from Mansfield known to have died in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, according to the Massachusetts Veterans Services office.

He graduated from Mansfield High School in 2005 as a popular student who played football and hockey.

Milton Valencia of the Globe staff contributed to this report.

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