Posted: September 14, 2009 - 11:28 am
Name: Matthew M. Martinek
Rank: Pfc.
Branch: Army
Unit: Company B, 1st Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division
Job: Paratrooper
Base: Fort Richardson
Age: 20
Hometown: DeKalb, Ill.
Date of death: Sept. 11, 2009
Cause: Fatally wounded when improvised explosive device struck vehicle he was in.
Location: Paktika Province
ADN coverage:
4 September 16, 2009 - 7:16pm | Blackfoot95
If you are able,
save them a place
inside of you
and save one backward glance
when you are leaving
for the places they can
no longer go.
Be not ashamed to say
you loved them,
though you may
or may not have always.
Take what they have left
and what they have taught you
with their dying
and keep it with your own.
And in that time
when men decide and feel safe
to call the war insane,
take one moment to embrace
those gentle heroes
you left behind
Major Michael O'Donnell
13 August 1945 - 07 February 1978
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3 September 14, 2009 - 5:02pm | eymiym
We honor your sacrifice by never forgetting. Young soldier, son, brother, friend: Rest in God's arms. Peace eternal.
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2 September 14, 2009 - 4:57pm | prog1
thank you for your service. May You Rest in Peace
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1 September 14, 2009 - 1:07pm | ronm
I am sorry to see another young man have to give his life to protect ours, but I respect your service and your sacrifice so that we may live in peace here at home. You will always be remembered. Rest In Peace Matthew.
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5 October 17, 2009 - 8:09pm | k_hopkins17
Such a young man...thank you
Such a young man...thank you for your service. May you rest in peace and may God bless your family.
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