Charles E Matheny IV |
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Stanwood, Washington |
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February 18, 2006 |
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Killed in Baghdad, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV. |
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For Memorial Snapshots, Click Photo Below February 27, 2006 |
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Couple photos submitted by Robert Patrick 12/20/12 |
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From KOMO
News Seattle:
'I'm Better And You're Better Because Charlie Was Born' |
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Stanwood soldier killed in Iraq came from military family The Associated Press STANWOOD, Wash. — A soldier serving his second tour in Iraq was killed when a roadside bomb exploded near his vehicle. Sgt. Charles E. Matheny IV, 23, of Stanwood, died Saturday in Baghdad, the U.S. Department of Defense reported Tuesday. It was three weeks before his 24th birthday. Matheny was based at Fort Hood, Texas. He was a mechanic assigned to the 704th Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division. Matheny, an only child, came from a military family. His parents, both grandfathers and his great-grandfather all served in the Army. As a boy, Matheny enjoyed war movies and had a passion for cars. Being an Army mechanic seemed to fit. “I’m living every boy’s dream. I get to play on tanks,” he said during a recent visit home. It was no surprise when he followed his family into the service in August 2001 after graduating from Arlington High School a year earlier. “I think he decided he was in a stage in his life where he had to rise to the occasion and be the man,” his father, Chuck Matheny said Tuesday. Matheny’s mother, Dedi Noble of Camano Island was wary of her son joining the Army. “Nobody wants their son to do that,” she said, “but I am so proud of my son, so proud of my boy.” During his first deployment, Matheny injured his knee and returned to Fort Hood. He re-enlisted and returned to Iraq three months ago. On Friday, he called his mother, who said instead of the usual small talk, he asked if she’d received the paperwork regarding power-of-attorney. When Noble asked her son how he was doing, he said OK. His roommate later told Noble that after the call, Matheny wrote a three-page letter to his dad. He mailed it before joining the convoy. |
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Slain guardsman laid to rest in McCook The Associated Press MCCOOK, Neb. — More than 1,000 people filled the McCook City Auditorium Friday for the funeral of Nebraska guardsman Randy Matheny, who was killed Feb. 4 in Iraq. Sidewalks and streets leading to the auditorium were lined with people holding U.S. flags. The Matheny family held a private service at the auditorium before the public ceremony began. Chaplain Rod Armon said the weeks since Matheny’s death in Baghdad have been “a horrible time” for the 20-year-old McCook native’s family, the Guard and the community. But, Armon said, “We can get through this time.” According to the Nebraska Guard, an “improvised explosive device” detonated next to Matheny’s vehicle. Matheny, a specialist in the 1074th Transportation Company, posthumously was promoted to sergeant. Matheny’s sister Karen Matheny, 27, is a National Guard staff sergeant, and his brother, Paul Matheny, 24, is an Army private first class. |
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