Posted on 07/24/2008 2:13:05 PM PDT by Protect the Bill of Rights
United States Army Corporal Matthew Britten Phillips, age 27, of Cumming, GA, died Sunday, July 13, 2008 while bravely and proudly serving his country at a forward operating base in eastern Afghanistan’s Kunar province. Cpl. Phillips was one of nine soldiers to die that day; just days before his unit was scheduled to leave the base.
"We feel angry, even bitterly so, because our young men lived better lives, had higher hopes and more perfect love, than their attackers," Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Stevan Horning said during a memorial service held in Vicenza, Italy. "Please help us to not become weary of doing what is good; renew our courage so we complete the mission you assign each of us."
Corporal Phillips was a member of the U. S. Army’s 2nd Platoon, "Chosen Company", 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment (Airborne), 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, serving for the past 2 ½ years during which time he was deployed to Afghanistan for 14 months. While in the U.S. Army, Phillips was the recipient of the Bronze Star medal with one bronze oak leaf. He also had received the Purple Heart, the Combat Infantry Badge, the Army Achievement Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with 1 Bronze Star, the GWOT (Global War on Terror) Medal, the Army Service Medal, the Army Overseas Ribbon and the NATO Medal.......
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I am 54 years old, a mother and a grandmother. I grew up in the 60's and 70's. Although I have known many who have served our country, this is the first time war has taken someone from my world.
My son is 17. I will take him to calling hours and the graveside service. I hope he will understand the sacrifice Corporal Phillips made. I want my son to be proud of Corporal Phillips and proud of this country.
Thank you, Corporal Phillips, for your brave service to our country...
You were an American hero...
Prayers for your wonderful family who have sacrificed so much...
I too will attend the funeral Saturday as I did last Saturday in Snellville. Phillips’ family sat on the front row of that service in solidarity with the family mourning its loss.
God bless all these young men and women. We are a great country because if their hard work and sacrifice.
A great American from a great American Family. May the Lord bless and comfort them .
I want my son to understand that his happy-go-lucky, carefree life did not come by accident.
I am almost ashamed as I first heard of this today. It has put things into perspective...my burnt out a/c compressor is not very important anymore.
Oh my....I did not realize. I just now read the details and learned Cpl. Jon Ayers of Snellville was also killed in that battle..
Forsyth County News (Cumming, GA) - July 23, 2008
Author: Adam Stapleton; Fcn regional staff
U.S. Army Cpl. Matthew Phillips of Cumming was just weeks from completing his 15-month tour of duty in Afghanistan.
His father, Michael Phillips of Dawsonville, and family were counting down the days until the 27-year-old soldier returned home.
“It was his last mission and that’s probably the most painful part of it,” Phillips said. “We thought we had him.”
Instead of a reunion, the family is planning a funeral Saturday.
Matthew Phillips was among several soldiers killed in action July 13 during a three-hour battle with Taliban militants at a remote base in the region’s Kunar province.
“Matt was proud to be in Afghanistan,” Michael Phillips said. “He felt that that’s where the evil really was, that people like those who attacked us in 2001 were there.”
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Matthew Phillips was one of two Georgians killed in the attack. The other was Cpl. Jon Ayers of Snellville.
A third soldier from Georgia, Master Sgt. Mitchell Young of Jonesboro, was killed the same week elsewhere in Afghanistan. ....
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