Poolee death

[Covey_Rider]

For those of u who dont already know. Poolee Matt Windham died in a car accident last week. He was to leave for boot camp on Parris Island of July 25th. Jim Nelson, his and my mentor, will post all of the details. this is all kind of unreal to me right now. i just got done reading this and i'm crushed over this loss. for those of you who know me as "word boy", it was matt who gave me that name. He was my favorite poolee bud and i was looking forward to writing him in boot camp. Semper Fi bro and RIP. No greater love hath a man, then that of a man that would lay down his life for his friends. This exemplifies true honor, courage and commitment. If one truly cares about freedom, then one must be willing to fight for it...and fight for those who won't. Matt, u had the heart and the mind for it bro. i'm gonna miss ya. Semper Fi.

Freedom has a price to pay
Freedom has a cost
Whomever has to die this day
For freedom's price is lost

Their death is always mourned at length
Their memories are shared
This death at hand they cannot change
This fate of theirs is bared

Though freedom's price is great indeed
Those saved are hundreds more
For freedom's in a abundant need
For those on distant shore
__________________________________________________ __

In the Marines there is a band
Of brothers whom united stand
To fight for what's believed is right
To fight through perill day and night
To fight for loved ones safe at home
To fight for freedom we've right to own
Some things in life just can't be changed
And others can't be wished away
But those who fight another day
And stand with brothers fighting on
With bravery inside still raging on
Like a dragon's firey breath
They shall fight until the death
And as their hearts begin to beat
They shall never know defeat
And as their hearts begin to pound
Their enemies lay on the ground
And good shall once more reign again
With blood stained hands and tear stained cheeks
Marines are nothing near to weak
For years to come they shall fight on
Devil Dogs always live on.

[yellowwing]

Amen, Covey. Be sure to look at Matt's Memorial (http://www.leatherneck.com/forums/showthread.php?goto=newpost&threadid=21267).

[jinelson]

Thank you Word Boy in my grief I didnt think to post Matts thread in Poolee Hall so that his friends could express their feelings for him. You had our six and took the initiative and for that I thank you so much. Matt would be proud of you.

[OneDayAMarine]

yea word boy, you truely did.

[Poolee20050815]

Rest in peace, Matt! We love you, and we truly miss you! I pray for his family and friends through this time of grief.

God Bless,
Mirela

[juliaface17]

I am crushed.

[OneDayAMarine]

matt would have made a fine Marine it hurts me so much that he was so close to earning his title then BAM! something tragic like this had to happen... its unexplanatory but god wanted him in heaven...Matt was a good boy and he will be in my prayers.

[PooleePritchard]

Though I never talked to Matt, as a fellow poolee, he was my brother. A brother with whom I shared a desire to be a Marine. May god bless his immortal soul, and his family. *Raises glass in salute* To Matt Windham, a great man I never met, but a brother none the less

[Master Sephiroth]

Rest in peace, Matt. You exemplified everything it meant to be a Marine, and I know you would've been a great 0311. Semper Fi, my friend.

[jinelson]

I have been contacted by Matts mom and I feel so much better now. Matt can truly rest in peace the Marine Corps afforded him full military honors at his funeral and he will be be buried wearing dress blues that were provided by the Corps. Evidently I am not the only Marine that was impressed by this young Poolee. He was afforded all honors except the rifle salute. The accident was officialy deemed just that and caused by a severe storm which caused the driver to lose control into oncoming traffic. There was no wrong doing and just a very tagic event. Matts mom has asked me to provide anyone who would like to contact her with her email or cell phone number if you would like too let me know.

Im So Proud To Be A Marine

Semper Fi

[Accord]

Originally posted by jinelson
I have been contacted by Matts mom and I feel so much better now. Matt can truly rest in peace the Marine Corps afforded him full military honors at his funeral and he will be be buried wearing dress blues that were provided by the Corps. Evidently I am not the only Marine that was impressed by this young Poolee. He was afforded all honors except the rifle salute. The accident was officialy deemed just that and caused by a severe storm which caused the driver to lose control into oncoming traffic. There was no wrong doing and just a very tagic event. Matts mom has asked me to provide anyone who would like to contact her with her email or cell phone number if you would like too let me know.

Im So Proud To Be A Marine

Semper Fi
I'm very sorry to hear about this, but that is certainly a very classy move by the Marine Corps, he deserves it.

Rest in peace, Matt.

[POOLEE003OCT24]

I dont think i had ever had tears in my eyes this much, since never when i heard this, that kid was a very good kid, hes was sooo awesome, we ran downtown Parkville, just for a few min together, i have had tears in my eyes since the news of what happened.

But like he had told me and jim and others. If something should ever happen to me, Dont mourn my death, Honor it. And so it will be! He will be my major motivation in bootcamp, and i will honor him too, he was a good man, and we will always be brothers in arms, no matter if hes here or not. He will live in our soul forever, One good brother, watching over us.

[Rebsmarine1996]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v232/rebsmarine1996/Devil%20Dog%20Pride/SemperFiMatt.jpg

[sgt.lane]

RIP---Semper Fi 20

[c5down2]

RIP Heaven's newest Devil dog watching out for us.

[jinelson]

http://img320.imageshack.us/img320/5108/ripmatt29ft.gif

[Roulette]

Matty, we had sooooo much yet left to do, now its all up to you
as you look down on us strong and PROUD remember that we're singing loud, the songs our heart's were meant to sing the blessings for the UNITED STATES MARINES!!!!!!!!!!

God Bless You Matt! You Will Be Missed

[waitingtojoin]

It tears me up that he's gone. I only had the privelage of talking to him once, and in that very brief (too brief) time I had learned so much. I miss him too much. SF Bro and RIP.

[BigCat1]

Matt...I only knew you for a brief time, but feel that I got to know you very well. I am saddened that you are no longer with us, but also emboldened by the thought of you watching over us all. You may not have made it to the yellow footprints, but you will always and forever, be a Marine in my heart. You have gone on to guard the streets of Heaven and one day we will meet face to face and I will proudly salute you when that time comes.

Semper Fi Marine!

[THATFEMALE]

It breaks my heart to have to be posting on this topic. Matt was truly one of the FEW. That young man impressed me so much. He was definetely a "hardcharger" and quite the gentleman. Even though in the physical he won't be along side me, I know in spirit he'll have my six when I head to Iraq. Semper FI.:marine:

[christine_06]

it makes me sad to realize that tragic things always happen to the people who are only trying to help, R.I.P. semperfidelis20, you will truly be missed