A son, brother, friend and soldier.
Years ago in Michigan, I met a friend, one of my cousins best friends had moved to live 5 blocks from where I was. We became close friends even though we were both living different lives, we could always let go and just be ourselves. Matt is a great son to his mother, he is his brothers keeper, there for his friends no matter what and when his country cried out for help, he put his life on the lines so you and I could sleep at night knowing the bravest are over there at their doorsteps protecting us. Fighting for what this country stands for, freedom…but it all just does not seem right.
Matt loves everything about life, got by with studies all the way to graduate, worked hard and loves his girl friend with all his heart. A loyal man he is, a loyal friend and a caring son. He stood by his mother for 2 years till she won the fight with cancer, came out a winner, told me without her baby boy, she would have never had the courage to go through it all. His younger brother follows in his footsteps, Matt was and always will be there to guide Jake right, that’s what brothers are for.
As loyal a friend as he is to my cousin growing up, he is someone I know I can forever depend on.
Matt was hit twice in the leg, and once the shoulder in the midst of a hail of bullets exchanged by our boys and rebels wile on escort duty. His brother said, he was told that Matt is in critical condition, but fighting, and that they are doing everything they can to keep him alive. I remember him saying “Mom said she wanted to break my legs so I don’t go. She understands why I need to do this, but she hates me for leaving her like this. She’s afraid, I’m afraid.” (parts too personal to share were removed from this conversation, quoted to the best of my memory).
Come back home damn it Matt….
The reality of the war in Iraq has suddenly become all too painfully real for Matts family and friends, and we are once again reminded of just how serious the situation in Iraq has become. Yet we do nothing about it but speak out in disapprove? Are we that insignificant? Are we that weak? Useless? Are we, the American citizens not the ones fueling this war with tens of billions a month?
You are to blame for this. I am to blame for this. Unless we do whatever it is we can to make a difference, the slightest difference, however insignificant, then we shall forever live with the fact that, we are indeed aiding this treacherous inhuman act against what we do stand for, our freedom, our brothers, sons, fathers, friends freedoms, those risking their lives every second, for what? For who? Us? We would rather they do it on their soil, where they were born and raised, right here.
I love you matt, bro, I still owe you a beer mother fucker, and I plan to pay it up. Get well soon.
God bless our soldiers.
September 5th, 2008 at 6:24 pm
I guess thats the fatil truth about the world, lives are at stake all the time and most of us dont know it,Good luck matt,get well Soon.
September 5th, 2008 at 6:49 pm
I’m not sure if anything I can say will help ease the pain you, friends and his family must be feeling right now. I’m so sorry Mikey, hope Matt gets better soon.
September 5th, 2008 at 7:32 pm
We’re fighting a war that is not ours to fight. Why are there protecting their people, while our soldiers die for them? They should be here, home, protecting us here, close so we can protect them back. This country is not the same as it was. But people like you and Matt, you make a difference you try in whatever way you know how. Prayers with Matt and his family right now. Thank you for posting such a personal, touching article Mike.
September 5th, 2008 at 8:18 pm
“The soldier, above all other people, prays for peace, for he must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war.”
Hope Matt gets well soon.
Keep your chin up mikey.
September 5th, 2008 at 9:34 pm
you’re an amazing friend mike, with the love you have for your friend matt he will get better i am sure.
He looks so young above, and that last picture shows you how he grew up fast maybe just too fast. for what our soldiers see there in war is so bad. you said it mike, god bless the soldiers. thank you a lot for sharing this mike.
September 5th, 2008 at 11:32 pm
So very sorry to hear this, please keep us updated with how Matt is doing and if there’s anything we can do to help Matt, please let us know.
Escort duty is where they escort the Iraqi workers or something right? To get shot for keeping them safe is so wrong. Our soldiers really are fearless.
September 6th, 2008 at 1:13 am
Matt is in good hands, he’ll make it, he has to. Michael, thank you for writing this.
September 6th, 2008 at 1:49 am
Right on Mike. First off I hope Matt gets better.
But let me ask you this,when Bush stated Iraq was the biggest threat ever, when he stated they were the most dangerous country on earth and that they had to go fix things there, how could it take 2 fucking weeks to take over the entire country? Shit man. You couldn’t take over fucking Baltimore in 2 weeks. Lot’s of BS went on and is still going on. It’s all fucked up.
September 6th, 2008 at 5:48 pm
Seeing those pictures and reading all that really makes my heart hurt. We never want to have to hear a story like this, and it is all to common I am sure.
My heart and well wishes go out to him, his family, and his friends.
September 7th, 2008 at 1:36 pm
True, we never want to have to hear a story like this, but we have to, sometimes people need to be reminded that we are very much at war, and they need to be reminded, while enjoying their days, that our soldiers are out there fighting day and night, risking their lives for ours.