He has become your son, too, and you have treated him and us as such

Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2006

‘‘I am an American Soldier. I will always place the mission first; I will never accept defeat; I will never quit; I will never leave a fallen comrade.” This is the U.S. Army’s Warrior Ethos, a set of principles by which every soldier lives. But this ethos is not exclusive to the Army, nor is it limited to the Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, or Coast Guard. Upon the occasion of dedicating the Army Warrior Ethos exhibit at the Pentagon on Nov. 10, 2004, Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Peter J. Schoomaker noted, ‘‘It applies to a broader sense, not just while we are in uniform, and not just while we’re in service to our country, but in our personal and professional lives in all respects,” referring here to all services, civilians and family members.

From firsthand experience, we can testify that the U.S. Army takes this commitment very seriously, even to the last. For more than 1,290 Army families who have lost a beloved son or daughter, husband or wife, father or mother, brother or sister, aunt or uncle, niece, nephew, or cousin in Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom, we know just how deeply this thread runs.

The list is too exhaustive to detail here, but some highlights are worthy of note to convey the sense of support, shielding and protection we felt in the days following Matt’s injuries and death. Conversations we have had with many — from Matthew’s unit captain who was on the scene the day Matt and Staff Sgt. Jason Evey were mortally wounded, to the network of friends and extended family in Germany who went to Matt’s bedside to read him scripture, to our friends who snatched our daughter home from Panama, to the sergeant who accompanied Matt’s remains from Europe, to the family friend who requested reassignment so he could meet Matt’s plane in Dover, to the escorts who assisted in delivering Matt to his final resting place — Matt, a fallen comrade, was never left alone. Nor was his family left alone.

Dear friends, neighbors, colleagues, acquaintances, and concerned citizens of St. Mary’s, Calvert, and Charles counties, you did not leave us alone. Your practical demonstrations of love, concern, care and compassion transcend the English language’s capacity to express our gratitude. You washed dishes. You did laundry. You stayed up nights with us. You cleaned gutters. You brought meals. You sent cards and donations (more than $3,300 will go to the Fisher House Foundation). Some of you brought tributes in the form of works of art, plaques or notes to our home. One of you left a semi-anonymous handwritten note on our car upon seeing the signs we’d painted on our windows. Thank you, Susan, whoever you are.

We commend and thank the organizations and individuals who have assisted our family during this most difficult time: Booz Allen Hamilton; Brinsfield Funeral Home; the citizens of the community of St. Mary’s, Calvert, and Charles counties; The Enterprise newspaper; Fisher House Foundation; Food Lion (Solomons); Giant; Hair It Is; Heritage Printing and Graphics; McKay’s Food Store; Maryland General Assembly; Office of the Governor of Maryland; Operation Hero Miles; Patriot Guard Riders; Patuxent Presbyterian Church; Patuxent River Assembly of God; Shopper’s Food Warehouse; St. Mary’s County commissioners; St. Mary’s County Emergency Friendly Fund; St. Mary’s Hospital; Sheetz Inc.; Southern Tire; Tidewater Dental Associates; U.S. Army; U.S. House of Representatives; U.S. Senate; Wyle Laboratories Inc.; and every individual who is currently serving or has ever served in any branch of the U.S. military.

As Mary so aptly stated in her remarks at the memorial service, ‘‘If we’ve overlooked anyone, please charge it to our heads, not our hearts.” You have been family to us in the truest sense of the word.

We have been residents of St. Mary’s County for more than 18 years. We have always loved it here and we could not imagine having experienced this loss with any other community family. Our fellow countians lining the streets to pay their respects to our son touched us beyond measure.

We do have a fresh perspective on life. It is a precious gift with an uncertain duration. Distant memories have sharpened and suddenly become priceless sustaining treasures. Our confidence in the American spirit has been strengthened, and our appreciation for our community here in Southern Maryland reinforced. Matthew is not only our son, he has become your son, and you treated him and us as such.

Thank you and God bless you all.

The Wallace family: Keith, Mary,Jessica, Abigail and MicahLexington Park