thedrifter
02-18-07, 01:13 PM
Community honors, remembers sacrifice
Sun, Feb 18, 2007
By JOHN MOORE Contributor
There were very few dry eyes among the many who gathered Saturday to honor a hero who gave his life in the service of his country.
The name of Marine Cpl. Matthew Dillon was unveiled in a special ceremony at the Memorial Wall of the Aiken County Veterans Memorial Park.
Neal Dillon said his son's life has a meaning no chisel can trace in stone.
"He lives in the hearts of all who cherish freedom," Neal said. "He made the most of his life on earth of only 25 years."
Matt was killed Dec. 11 during combat operations in the Al Anbar province of Iraq. He was the second Aiken County resident to give his life in Operation Iraqi Freedom. His name joins that of Jason Moski, who lost his life in February 2005.
Neal said his son lived life to the fullest.
"In between the two dates is a dash," Neal said. "His dash represents donations and not duration, quality not quantity, and the supreme sacrifice in defense of our country and way of life."
The playing of Taps and the soulful notes of Amazing Grace played by a bagpiper were part of the heartfelt tribute to a fallen hero.
Neal said Matt lived out his core values of honor, courage and commitment from the moment he felt the call to serve in the military. Matt was deeply moved by the events of 9-11 while a student at Augusta State University.
He quickly joined the Army National Guard's 122nd Engineer Battalion Charlie Co. and served with tremendous pride.
1st Sgt. Bill Bryant, who was then with the 122nd, said Matt was someone who gave his best at everything he did.
"He was my soldier," Bryant said. "Matt kept his head in the game and conquered each new challenge with determination and a persistent smile."
There were many challenges on his first tour of duty in Iraq.
"Aug. 28, 2003 was a day I will always remember," Neal said. "He received a purple heart when he was injured in a massive roadside bomb. That was the first test of his honor, courage and commitment."
Neal said Matt wanted to do more to serve his country after he returned home. He joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 2005.
"He gave up his rank of E4 to begin as a basic recruit," Neal said. "Due to his leadership, he was selected platoon leader."
Neal said Matt graduated from basic training, while enduring painful shin splints the whole time. He complained to nobody.
"At Camp Lejeune, on an 18 mile march, he fell and broke a bone in his foot," Neal said. "He finished the last nine miles. He told the medic the next day. Matt and his cast graduated on schedule."
Matt attained the rank of corporal in a remarkably short time.
"Matt was nominated for the President's security detail, the highest honor that could be bestowed on a U.S. Marine," Neal said.
He was also named Marine of the quarter out of 2,000 Marines for his work on combat patrols in Iraq.
He was even selected to work on a special weapons project with the Marines called "Gunslinger." He told his father about it with his characteristic sense of humor. "He said, 'Dad, with a name like Dillon, who else would they pick?'"
He gave the ultimate sacrifice when his Humvee was struck by a powerful improvised explosive device. Dillon was one of three Marines who lost their lives that day.
"Matt was not just killed by an IED," Neal said. "He was killed by Islamic jihadists who employ roadside bombs to indiscriminately kill unarmed men, women and children."
Neal said Matt was fighting an enemy that is still worth fighting and defeating. It was a cause Matt believed in.
"It is true our family is in misery, but that is the intent of the Islamic jihadists," Neal said. "Islamic jihadists have not and will not break the will of this family. Americans must not fail to defend our freedom and our way of life."
Neal said his son gave all for his nation.
"We are proud of what our son did for his country," Neal said.
Matt's brother, Army Lt. Col. Robert Dillon, also spoke during the ceremony.
"We're here to recognize a hero, Matt Dillon, my brother," Robert said. "Matt lived every moment of his life with gusto, all 25 years. That's what we love about him."
Robert said Matt had a wonderful independent streak.
"He blazed his own trail," Robert said.
Matt's mother, Lucy Dillon, said he always helped to relieve the tension of fellow soldiers with a good laugh. She learned of this from the countless people whose lives he touched while serving in Iraq.
"He could be doing very serious business as a Marine, and in a moment he could go into sidesplitting humor," Lucy said. "I didn't realize he affected so many people."
Ellie
Sun, Feb 18, 2007
By JOHN MOORE Contributor
There were very few dry eyes among the many who gathered Saturday to honor a hero who gave his life in the service of his country.
The name of Marine Cpl. Matthew Dillon was unveiled in a special ceremony at the Memorial Wall of the Aiken County Veterans Memorial Park.
Neal Dillon said his son's life has a meaning no chisel can trace in stone.
"He lives in the hearts of all who cherish freedom," Neal said. "He made the most of his life on earth of only 25 years."
Matt was killed Dec. 11 during combat operations in the Al Anbar province of Iraq. He was the second Aiken County resident to give his life in Operation Iraqi Freedom. His name joins that of Jason Moski, who lost his life in February 2005.
Neal said his son lived life to the fullest.
"In between the two dates is a dash," Neal said. "His dash represents donations and not duration, quality not quantity, and the supreme sacrifice in defense of our country and way of life."
The playing of Taps and the soulful notes of Amazing Grace played by a bagpiper were part of the heartfelt tribute to a fallen hero.
Neal said Matt lived out his core values of honor, courage and commitment from the moment he felt the call to serve in the military. Matt was deeply moved by the events of 9-11 while a student at Augusta State University.
He quickly joined the Army National Guard's 122nd Engineer Battalion Charlie Co. and served with tremendous pride.
1st Sgt. Bill Bryant, who was then with the 122nd, said Matt was someone who gave his best at everything he did.
"He was my soldier," Bryant said. "Matt kept his head in the game and conquered each new challenge with determination and a persistent smile."
There were many challenges on his first tour of duty in Iraq.
"Aug. 28, 2003 was a day I will always remember," Neal said. "He received a purple heart when he was injured in a massive roadside bomb. That was the first test of his honor, courage and commitment."
Neal said Matt wanted to do more to serve his country after he returned home. He joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 2005.
"He gave up his rank of E4 to begin as a basic recruit," Neal said. "Due to his leadership, he was selected platoon leader."
Neal said Matt graduated from basic training, while enduring painful shin splints the whole time. He complained to nobody.
"At Camp Lejeune, on an 18 mile march, he fell and broke a bone in his foot," Neal said. "He finished the last nine miles. He told the medic the next day. Matt and his cast graduated on schedule."
Matt attained the rank of corporal in a remarkably short time.
"Matt was nominated for the President's security detail, the highest honor that could be bestowed on a U.S. Marine," Neal said.
He was also named Marine of the quarter out of 2,000 Marines for his work on combat patrols in Iraq.
He was even selected to work on a special weapons project with the Marines called "Gunslinger." He told his father about it with his characteristic sense of humor. "He said, 'Dad, with a name like Dillon, who else would they pick?'"
He gave the ultimate sacrifice when his Humvee was struck by a powerful improvised explosive device. Dillon was one of three Marines who lost their lives that day.
"Matt was not just killed by an IED," Neal said. "He was killed by Islamic jihadists who employ roadside bombs to indiscriminately kill unarmed men, women and children."
Neal said Matt was fighting an enemy that is still worth fighting and defeating. It was a cause Matt believed in.
"It is true our family is in misery, but that is the intent of the Islamic jihadists," Neal said. "Islamic jihadists have not and will not break the will of this family. Americans must not fail to defend our freedom and our way of life."
Neal said his son gave all for his nation.
"We are proud of what our son did for his country," Neal said.
Matt's brother, Army Lt. Col. Robert Dillon, also spoke during the ceremony.
"We're here to recognize a hero, Matt Dillon, my brother," Robert said. "Matt lived every moment of his life with gusto, all 25 years. That's what we love about him."
Robert said Matt had a wonderful independent streak.
"He blazed his own trail," Robert said.
Matt's mother, Lucy Dillon, said he always helped to relieve the tension of fellow soldiers with a good laugh. She learned of this from the countless people whose lives he touched while serving in Iraq.
"He could be doing very serious business as a Marine, and in a moment he could go into sidesplitting humor," Lucy said. "I didn't realize he affected so many people."
Ellie