thedrifter
09-03-07, 07:05 AM
Manchester officials honor fallen Marine
By Mary Shapiro
The father and stepmother of a local Marine killed in February in Iraq received a proclamation Aug. 6 from Manchester Mayor Asa Wilson honoring their son.
Marine Lance Cpl. Matthew P. Pathenos, 21, of Manchester, was killed Feb. 7 while conducting combat operations in Fallujah, in Al Anbar province.
Wilson presented the proclamation to Gus and Bren Pathenos of Manchester, Matthew's father and stepmother.
Matthew also is survived by his mother, Paula Erney of Belleville, Ill.
Wilson told the Pathenoses the proclamation was "in memory of an American hero, for distinguished service to his community and country."
Wilson praised Matthew, a 2003 Parkway South High School graduate. He added that in Matthew's memory, trees have been planted at the three Parkway School District schools Matthew attended: Wren Hollow Elementary School, Parkway Southwest Middle School and Parkway South High School.
A memorial tree also was planted at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, which Matthew attended.
"I wanted to express great sorrow at the passing of one of our city's sons," Wilson said. "We can't relieve the grief of his family but want to express our sorrow and appreciation for their sacrifice."
The proclamation states Wilson and the Board of Aldermen wanted to honor Matthew, "who made the ultimate sacrifice in giving his life for his country, for freedom and for future generations."
Wilson said he and his father both had served in the Air Force. One of Wilson's children, Irene, served with the Army during Operation Iraqi Freedom and was awarded a Bronze Star, he said.
Also, a son, Ely, served with the Navy in Washington, D.C., Wilson said.
Matthew Pathenos served in the Marine Reserves, 3rd Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division.
He was in Iraq with a sister unit, the 1st Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, based in Detroit.
Matthew was among 280 members of the Lambert Field headquarters and service company who were chosen to fill vacancies in the Detroit unit before it was deployed to Iraq.
The Detroit unit, including the 280 Marines from St. Louis, arrived in Iraq in early September for a seven-month deployment.
The Pathenoses thanked Wilson and the board for the proclamation.
"We are working with them to have an element of a city park as a permanent memorial to Matthew, such as a bench or tree or fountain, in Paul A. Schroeder Park," Wilson said.
You can contact Mary Shapiro at mshapiro@yourjournal.com.
Ellie
By Mary Shapiro
The father and stepmother of a local Marine killed in February in Iraq received a proclamation Aug. 6 from Manchester Mayor Asa Wilson honoring their son.
Marine Lance Cpl. Matthew P. Pathenos, 21, of Manchester, was killed Feb. 7 while conducting combat operations in Fallujah, in Al Anbar province.
Wilson presented the proclamation to Gus and Bren Pathenos of Manchester, Matthew's father and stepmother.
Matthew also is survived by his mother, Paula Erney of Belleville, Ill.
Wilson told the Pathenoses the proclamation was "in memory of an American hero, for distinguished service to his community and country."
Wilson praised Matthew, a 2003 Parkway South High School graduate. He added that in Matthew's memory, trees have been planted at the three Parkway School District schools Matthew attended: Wren Hollow Elementary School, Parkway Southwest Middle School and Parkway South High School.
A memorial tree also was planted at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, which Matthew attended.
"I wanted to express great sorrow at the passing of one of our city's sons," Wilson said. "We can't relieve the grief of his family but want to express our sorrow and appreciation for their sacrifice."
The proclamation states Wilson and the Board of Aldermen wanted to honor Matthew, "who made the ultimate sacrifice in giving his life for his country, for freedom and for future generations."
Wilson said he and his father both had served in the Air Force. One of Wilson's children, Irene, served with the Army during Operation Iraqi Freedom and was awarded a Bronze Star, he said.
Also, a son, Ely, served with the Navy in Washington, D.C., Wilson said.
Matthew Pathenos served in the Marine Reserves, 3rd Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division.
He was in Iraq with a sister unit, the 1st Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, based in Detroit.
Matthew was among 280 members of the Lambert Field headquarters and service company who were chosen to fill vacancies in the Detroit unit before it was deployed to Iraq.
The Detroit unit, including the 280 Marines from St. Louis, arrived in Iraq in early September for a seven-month deployment.
The Pathenoses thanked Wilson and the board for the proclamation.
"We are working with them to have an element of a city park as a permanent memorial to Matthew, such as a bench or tree or fountain, in Paul A. Schroeder Park," Wilson said.
You can contact Mary Shapiro at mshapiro@yourjournal.com.
Ellie