Men's Soccer News

CSM'S DAN HEANEY FINDS TIME IN IRAQ A LIFE CHANGING EXPERIENCE

November 2, 2006 - Dan Heaney was a year and a half out of high school, had worked several jobs, and was currently immersed with his job working at the YMCA, without a thought of ever touching a soccer ball again.  

     However Lance Corporal Dan Heaney's life was changed forever when his marine reserve unit was sent to Iraq in August, 2004, and he found himself in the middle of some of the heaviest fighting of the war.

     "Things were pretty intense, with rockets landing and explosions all over the place". said Heaney. 

     Heaney's unit, the 31st based out of Camp Pendleton, California was based just outside Fallujah, which was controlled by Iraqi insurgents. 

    The 31st was assigned to participate in the effort to clear Fallujah of the Iraqi insurgents.  Dan's unit provided the initial breech of the railroad tracks, and provided support for the infantry the rest of the battle, which meant traveling all over the war zone where ever needed.  They suffered heavy causalities as they cleared houses, swept for bombs, and searched for weapon cache's during the three weeks it took to clear Fallujah of the insurgents.

     "Things calmed down after that, it definitely made things safer."

     Dan's primary job was to serve as an electrician, where he helped maintain power on the base, and set up wiring in buildings for civilians as well as the Iraqi National Guard.  He also went with his unit on sweeps, serving as gunner on an AAV (Amphibious Assault Vehicle), where they searched for landmines, explosives, and buried weapons cache's.

     "It was a life changing experience, I had a lot of time to think about what I wanted to do.  I started to appreciate life a lot more.  I wanted to go back and enjoy life and play soccer again."

     Although he hadn't played soccer in four years, last year Dan was third leading scorer for CSM. He was selected 2nd Team All Region, and to the All Region Tournament Team, as the Hawks won the MDJUCO title and Region XX Championship, finishing with a 16-2-1 record.

     "It was hard work, mixing in and getting back to the level I knew I could play at."

     This season Heaney is again third on the team in scoring with six goals and six assists (18 pts.), and was selected 1st Team All Region XX, as well as to the All Region XX Tournament team, as CSM again won the Region XX Championship with a 17-5 record.

     "I wouldn't be playing soccer now if I hadn't been sent to Iraq.  I decided I wanted to go to school and earn a degree."

     After finishing at CSM Dan plans to go to a four year school to get his degree, and to continue to play soccer.

     "Some people might not like all the work, but I find playing soccer relaxing."

     Heaney is still in the Marine Reserve (now a Corporal), and is subject to recall to Iraq at any time, but for now is concentrating getting his degree from CSM, and transferring to a four year school next fall.  (photo gallery)