In Honor and Memory of SFC Matthew Blaskowski - Battle Co, 2/503 Infantry (Airborne)

SFC Matthew Blaskowski - KIA 23 Sept 07 - Fire Base Vegas

I never met SFC Matt Blaskowski.  I didn't need to meet him to know that he was truly one of those "One in a Million" individuals.  All I needed was too google him to read about his many and meaningful accomplishments - about the phenomenal human he was to anyone and everyone with whom he came in contact.  He was someone I hoped to meet one day when his deployment was over. 

In late August 2007 I received the following email from Matt:

Sorry I have not been able to send you a thank you. I came to a base with internet for a few days and then back out to the firebase I will go. Thank you so much for all of the packages. The soldiers and I appreciate everything greatly. Everything you send is perfect nothing goes to waste. I will try and write once a month and give you an update on our conditions here. We recently got a generator out there so we have power for a few hours everyday. We get mail about twice a month by air. It's like christmas every time and most of the packages by far are from you. The name of my platoon's base is called Firebase Vegas. We are slowly but surely making it better. I have alot of pictures of the soldier's and "Vegas" that I will try and send to you next time I get to the internet. Thank you again for all of your packages. Also the people that are in contact with you who also send us things. The soldiers and I appreciate everything you do for us and we try to write a letter at least everytime we get mail, but we only get to send out mail when someone carries all the letters out to mail them and that does not happen very often. thanks again for all of your support.

I never got those photos from Matt.  I wish I had.  Because instead of the photos I received the following email the morning of Sept 24, 2007:

It is with a heavy heart that I must inform you that our friend, Matt Blaskowski was killed yesterday during an attack on Firebase Vegas. I truly wish I could have called you with this news, but as you know, communication here is difficult at best.

Many events have occurred since that day.  Most of them are personal and private so I won't share them here.  What I do want to share is that, within a few days of learning that Matt gave his life for this nation, a friend of mine and I decided to do whatever we could - whatever it took - to find a way to get support to Matt's entire Battalion.  We wanted to do so in honor and memory of Matt.  We began to call and email everyone we knew.  The response was great.  My friend and I often talked about wanting to share that this effort was in Matt's memory but didn't.  We both felt that his family should be asked and the time never seemed appropriate.

I spoke with Matt's mother today and told her what we had been doing.  I asked her if she would mind if we shared with all of you that this is for Matt.  Mrs. Blaskowski is one of the strongest and most inspiring women I have ever talked to in my life.  Our conversations will remain private but no mother has ever loved a son like she loved Matt and loves his brother Stan.  No mother has ever been more proud of her sons than she of hers.

Althought the Blaskowski family continues to grieve, his mother gave me the "OK" to dedicate this mission to Matt and his memory.  So Matt...our mission to make every Sky Soldier KNOW they are loved, appreciated and supported is for you.

Matt was laid to rest on October 4, 2007.  I wrote this tribute to Matt at Tanker Brothers.  Please take a minute to read the post but, more importantly, to say a prayer for Matt, his wife, parents, brother, extended family, Army family and friends.  While the words are often used I couldn't mean them more when I say that this world is a much better place because of SFC Matthew Blaskowski.

Rest in Peace my friend.  Rest in Peace.