11 posts tagged “2-503rd”
It seems impossible that it has been two years since SFC Matthew Blaskowski was killed by the enemy during a firefight. The emotion still runs so deep.
Last September 23rd (2008) I was walking across the US Army Post, Caserme Ederle, in Vicenza, Italy to the MP station to obtain my “permission slip” to be on post. I knew the significance of the date. I’d realized it from the moment I woke up – actually for many days prior – yet I was doing everything in could to distract myself. As I walked along I looked to my right and saw Terry and Cheryl Blaskowski at the Memorial for the Sky Soldiers who had been Killed in Action. I remember stopping in my tracks and watching them place a bouquet of red, white and blue flowers at the Memorial as Cheryl wiped tears from her eyes and Terry reach to touch the Memorial. Then they hugged.
I was finally able to move my feet again and continued on to the MP station so as not to be any more of an interloper than I already had been. My heart was physically aching and tears were streaming down my face. One year ago that day SFC Matthew Blaskowski was killed by a sniper’s bullet at Firebase Vegas, Afghanistan. Even though another year has passed it all still seems so fresh; so painful; so unbelievable that Matt is not on this earth with us.
In some ways it was “easier” last year. Cheryl and Terry were in Vicenza with Matt’s beloved widow, Daniela and all of his battle buddies. They spent time together every day and night. They were invited for dinners and lunches where they were continually regaled with stories about Matt from his fellow brothers in arms. Stories about his leadership, his actions under fire with the enemy, his integrity and fairness, his ability to party with the best and his never ending sense of humor and ability to pull off the best practical jokes. There was an abundance of laughter, tears and hugs. It often felt as if Matt was with them. And they remembered Matt with Daniela, the absolute love if his life, and her family.
This year it’s quieter. Terry and Cheryl find themselves in the house where Matt grew up. Every room full of memories of Matt. The quiet is deafening and painful. Even a walk out the back door is difficult because they see where, as a youngster, Matt played with his brother, cousins and friends. As he grew older Matt would set up targets to blow up with his dad’s guns, ride the 4 wheeler into the woods, sit around a fire with family and friends or be the life of the party at a cookout. The only connections with Daniela and Matt’s Battle Buddies this year are the phone and the internet. The weeks leading up to today for Terry and Cheryl and for Matt’s brother Stan and his wife Becky have not been easy. Parents aren’t supposed to bury their children.
Firebase Vegas high in the Hindu Kush Mountains in the Kunar Province of northeastern Afghanistan was a new firebase. It was actually still under construction. SFC Blaskowski had made many suggestions for the construction of the firebase and the Command was more than happy with his ideas. By all accounts the morning of 23 September 2007 began as any “normal” day at the firebase. Word came that COL Ostlund (then LTC Ostlund) was flying out to Vegas to promote then SSG Blaskowski to SFC. Battlefield promotions don’t happen every day. It was truly a special occasion. Everyone began to prepare for their Battalion Commander’s visit. Just after the helicopter landed LT Winn directed that a security sweep be conducted around the perimeter. SFC Blaskowski could have instructed any number of Soldiers in his Platoon to make that sweep but he did it himself.
A firefight broke out and within seconds the call for “MEDIC” rang through the air. SFC Blaskowski was down. He’d been hit by a sniper’s bullet. The Soldiers tried to get through the gun fire to SFC Blaskowski. When they did they attempted to give him CPR until the doctor who had accompanied COL Ostlund that day could attend to him. Nothing could be done to save Matt’s life. He was promoted to SFC posthumously.
At his memorial service in Afghanistan LT Brad Winn said, “It was hard to not get along with Sergeant Ski because his personality and humor were so infectious to so many people.” He went on to say, “He was the mentor and platoon sergeant that I had always dreamed of, leading from the front and being an everyday hero that all of the Soldiers, including myself, looked up to. Sergeant Ski was the epitome of a professional Soldier that will forever set the bar for Battle Company, Chosen Company and the whole Rock family.”
“Sergeant Ski passed away doing what he did best. Taking charge and being the great NCO that everyone knows him to be.”
SGT Brian Hissong shared these thoughts about SFC Blaskowski at the memorial, “He was always quick to greet you with a friendly insult and make you laugh. He would go out of his way to help Soldiers with any problem they might have, spending his entire day fixing someone else’s problem because that’s how much he cared about his Soldiers, He was the type of leader that elevated the Soldiers under him, and even the people around him to perform better. Not unlike a quarterback or great player in sports, he could help elevate his team to excellence. This was Sergeant Ski.”
SSG Jeremy Carey, one of Matt’s best friends and his grilling buddy added, ““He was the kind of man that would immediately light up a room with his presence and personality. He was never the center of attention, but it wasn’t the same without him around. He could bring something to a crowd that no one else could: a true, honest, take-me-as-I-am personality. Matt loved being a Soldier. His unmatched leadership and professionalism is what non-commissioned officers in the United States Army should strive to match. He was a Soldier’s Soldier. The magnitude of his life is a testament to the kind of man he was. He will be missed greatly.”
SFC Blaskowski enlisted as an infantryman Nov. 17, 1998. His first duty station was at Fort Drum, N.Y., with the 10th Mountain Division. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry, as a rifleman and a scout. He was later assigned as a team leader in 4th Bn., 31st Inf. in the same division.
After completing Airborne School in 2002, he reported to the 173rd Airborne Brigade in Vicenza, Italy, where he was assigned to the 2-503rd (Airborne).
SFC Blaskowski served in multiple leadership positions in “The Rock.” Those positions included team leader in Battle Company, Battalion assistant operations sergeant in Headquarter and Headquarters Co., 2-503rd, and rifle and weapons squad leader in Chosen Co. during Operation Enduring Freedom VI where he earned a Silver Star. His final leadership position was as platoon sergeant for 1st Platoon in Battle Co. He had earned a college degree in Wildlife Forestry Management and aspired to teach at the United States Military Academy at West Point.
Former Army Paratrooper Matt Burden of Blackfive published a two part story about SFC Blaskowski in his “Someone You Should Know” series. In Part 1 he writes about the events of May 3, 2005 when SFC Blaskowski’s actions under fire saved the life of a Soldier. SFC Blaskowski's platoon was ambushed and spent 5 hours in a firefight. One of Matt’s Soldiers was wounded. Matt ran through the bullets to pull his man to safety. Matt was shot in the leg. His actions earned him the Silver Star, American’s third highest military valor award. SSGs Choay and Brannan also received Silver Stars that day for their actions in the same firefight. They were the first Soldiers from “The Rock” (173rd, 2-503) to receive Silver Stars since Vietnam.
Matt was medevaced to Landstuhl Army Medical Center in Germany. While there he was presented a Purple Heart. Matt gave this interview from his hospital bed while at Landstuhl.
Just as he said he would Matt was back with his Soldiers three months after being wounded and completed the deployment with them.
In April 2007, before deploying to Afghanistan for the second time, Matt and his bride Daniela traveled to Michigan to spend time with his family. A few days before they returned to Italy Matt, Daniela and Matt’s parents went to one of his favorite spots, Tacquamenon Falls, in Upper Michigan. This photo is one of Cheryl’s favorites of Matt.
Matt loved to ride motorcycles with his parents. This photo was taken just hours before he and Daniela boarded a plane back to Italy. It was his last ride with his parents. As Terry, Cheryl, Stan and Becky drove away from the airport after seeing Matt and Daniela off on their flight back to Italy Stan told his parents that something just “didn’t feel right this time.” It was foreboding to say the least.
After Matt's and Daniela's visit his parents decided to have the bike to the left custom painted for Matt. They were going to give it to him after the deployment.
Stan rides the bike in honor of his brother. Every time he rides he goes by to visit Matt.
In Part 2 of his "Someone You Should Know series about SFC Blaskowski, Matt Burden tells one hilariously funny story about Sergeant Ski bear hunting with his father and uncles, his marriage to Daniela and his time in Afghanistan prior to and including his death. You really have to go read about the bear hunt.
Matt Blaskowski was taken from us way too soon. He has left a void in the lives of so many that seems impossible to fill.
Matt’s Aunt Andrea compiled this video of the day he returned to Michigan for the last time. Tissue Warning!
Matt was welcomed home by hundreds of family members, friends and Patriots. The route was lined for miles.
Matt’s funeral service was held at the high school gymnasium where over 3,000 people attended to say their final farewells to a man they loved and respected.
I wrote the following in a post at Tanker Brothers blog on October 4, 2007, the day Matt was laid to rest
“Our prayers along with our deepest and most sincere condolences go out to Matt’s wife, parents, brother, extended family and friends and to his comrades left behind. There is no way to adequately express our thoughts at this time. If one takes the time to read about SFC Blaskowski on the internet one finds story after story about the man he was. He lived his 27 years as a shining example of what humanity should be. It is apparent that Matt touched the lives of anyone who met and knew him in any capacity. He was the best of the best. He lived a selfless life in many ways – one of which was his choice to serve this nation as a member of the United States Army – to defend our freedom and continue to ensure our safety and security. Matt gave his all for us. This nation owes more to SFC Matthew Blaskowski than we could ever give. May his family know that we grieve with them in this time of sadness and loss and that we are thankful for the man he was. May they find comfort in remembering all that Matt was, all that he did and all that he gave throughout his life.
Rest in peace Matt. Our prayers are with you. I know the gates of heaven were standing wide open when you passed through and the angels were there to meet you.”
I’ve never visited Matt’s gravesite to say my farewell. I guess I keep trying to convince myself that one day he’s going to pop out from somewhere in true Sergeant Ski style and say, “Gotcha” with that ear to ear smile. His mom, Cheryl, laughed when I told her that. She said it sound like something he would do. But the reality is that Matt is in heaven and everyone who knew him misses him like hell.
Say a prayer for Matt today. And say a prayer for his family. Most of all take a minute to remember Matt.
