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This was submitted by our writer Craig Colton! I received an e-mail the other day requesting riders for a Patriot Guard Riders mission. This one would be for Airman First Class (A1C) Matt Kennedy. The mail said that he had returned from Iraq and "came back with wounds no one could see, like so many others." This caught my attention because I have worked with and been friends with many returning veterans from the desert, both wounded and those without visible injuries, but one thing can be said is that we all came back changed in one way or another. Was it the actual combat or seeing the results of combat … was it the mortars, missiles and gunfire, or was it the sounds in the distance ... the sight of and the dealing with vehicles after they had been destroyed… the wounded, or even worse, the casualties of war? Although this is 2010, it is not that much different than those that came before us, securing our freedoms and allowing us to grow up in the greatest nation in the world. We all have our crosses to bear and memories that will stay with us for the rest of our lives, and how we deal with this is as different as each individual. I searched the Internet and could find nothing about Matt as to how he died, but I did learn that he was in Nacogdoches, Texas, passed away, and that he had been deployed to Iraq. When, I didn’t know, and in my mind, that meant only one of two things; he was either on leave or had gotten out after a couple of years in the Air Force. I asked a friend with Soldiers Angels if she had heard any news of this young man’s passing and related the fact that I could find no information on him on the Internet. She told me she would look into it and ensure that Angels Wings were wrapped around him and his family. There was very little info that SA had on Matt although that is where I found -- “Matthew James ‘Matt’ Kennedy, 28, formerly of Abilene, went to be with his Lord whom he loved so much on Tuesday, June 15, 2010, in Nacogdoches, Texas. " Today, as I met up with fellow veterans and active duty members, we rode to the church where the service was to be held. Shortly after arriving I met with a good friend and retired Chief that quickly introduced me to Matt’s uncle, a veteran as well as a rider. He was very thankful to have 20 or so PGR members there to ride and honor his nephew, but became somewhat silent after that, and I didn't want to impose by asking questions or bother him in this time of sorrow and reflection. Then came the actual mission brief and we found out that Matt was in Iraq in 2004 and was in the Security Forces specialty. In the Air Force there are few career fields that are by nature combat positions, there are our Special Operations folks, our Tactical Control Party members assigned with the Army and then there are Security Forces, cops at home station and defenders of the base, but while deployed they are our infantry. I won't pretend to even say I have any idea of what he went through, but I do know that he was an American that answered the call when asked, regardless of the consequences. I won't question his reasons, nor will I let any man speak ill of this young American Hero, but Matt took his own life on June 15, 2010, in Nacogdoches, Texas. His pain and wounds, that no one else could see, no longer haunt him. Rest in Peace, A1C Matthew James Kennedy.
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