Marine Captain Matthew Freeman’s death didn’t make headlines, like some others have recently. He was just another number.
He died on a mission for which he volunteered, in a province far from home, leading men into battle. Pinned down and receiving a “heavy volume” of enemy fire, the medal citation says, he rose up and led his men into a mud-brick house, cleared it of the enemy, “was the first to reach the rooftop” where he “spotted an enemy rocket-propelled grenade gunman and immediately killed him . . . and began to engage while under fire.”
His best friend told the mourners, “He would want you to know that he went down swinging.”
There were a dozen Marine captains in dress blue in the overflowing pews of the chapel. Marines may blink hard a few times, but they don’t cry. Their mothers and widows cry for them.
In the week when they laid a young Marine captain to rest, the news was dominated by the death of a politician and the echo from an entertainer’s death. The flag-draped coffin on the front page was not his, but if you look carefully in the paper this week you will see a small picture of Matt Freeman among the faces of those who have fallen recently in battle.
He did not live long enough to become an the icon of Kennedy or Jackson, but he died the greater hero.
You bet.
If I get to where you’ve gone, captain, the first round’s on me.
“He went down swinging”
There are far, far, worse ways to die…..
The WaPo never ceases to amaze me – occasionally trying to dispel the myth of its liberally dominated agenda by writing an article like this. Of course, it should have been on the front page.
RIP Matt.
“If the Army and the Navy
Ever look on Heaven’s scenes,
They will find the streets are guarded
By United States Marines.”
He was a bigger hero than all of Hollywood and all of Washington, DC…combined.
Concur. God Bless the Marines, and all who go in harm’s way on our behalf.
And those who have and will hold fire, when an innocent is being placed in the line of fire…on purpose…and risk their lives in doing so.
Fair Winds and Following Seas, Marine. Semper Fidelis.
Wow…Thanks for bringing Capt. Freeman’s story to me. What had started out as a pretty drab Monday, just got several shades brighter. I am,as always, humbled. Semper Fi.
Welcome home brother. Best
And what did we do to deserve such men?
It is because there are those who will come behind him, men and women, Americans, Afghans, and others of all race and nationality and creed, worthy of his sacrifice, ensuring they have their chance to step forward one day.
I know it’s not the same level of publicity as some of those mentioned, but I did hear a tribute to Bill Cahir on morning edition today. I hate to hear about any of those who serve us being killed, but at least some are paying attention. Darn near had to pull over as I considered what had been given on my behalf.
I hope one day to see at the Gates, Marine. I know you’ll be there waiting on me, ever faithful to your duty.
It’s hard to know what to say in the face of such courage and sacrifice.
God Bless Captain Freeman and all who serve.
“All gave some. Some gave all.”
“… like Sonny Liston.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rblqYDfq4Gw
When you guys get there, look up my Dad. Sgt. Mike Cassel, USA. Korea, Quemoy and Matsu and Vietnam before we were “in” Vietnam.
He knew “Fiddler’s Green” by heart.
A bit from our local paper:
Capt. Matthew Freeman was my nephew. His grandfather was a Naval Aviator and
flew fighters and commanded aircraft carriers as an Admiral. His father graduated
from the USNA, flew F4s and F14s, then became a Navy Test Pilot. Matt knew
what he wanted to do from his early teen years. The last time I spoke with
him he was lamenting that flight training had kept him from combat. He
volunteered for ground combat, knowing the risk. I miss him terribly, but
we are fiercely proud of him, too. It is good to know that many Americans
appreciate his sacrifice on their behalf. He exemplified the Marine Corps,
and truly lived the motto. Freedom is not free, it carries a high price.
The Wa Post writer did a fine job.
Semper Fi, Matt.
Uncle Bill Freeman