LCpl Determan laid to rest today 30MAY15 (Any comments?)

2015-05-31T01:40:06-04:00

LCpl Matthew Determan of Tucson, AZ was called home to guard the streets of Heaven after the Osprey helicopter he was riding in was forced to perform a hard landing at Hickam AFB HI and was mortally wounded.

He fought like a Marine to stay alive but ultimately the good Lord called him home.

The Arizona Patriot Guard Riders were requested to escort him from the airport to the funeral home on Memorial Day and today also stood a flag line at his funeral. This was my second funeral but first escort home mission with the PGR. It was both very humbling and a very emotional mission for me. I am man enough to admit that I got misty eyed when the USMC Funeral Detail removed his coffin from the hearse and again when their Bugler played Taps. I wanted to offer my thanks for the honor of being there and my condolences to his family but I also respected their privacy and grieving. Another thing that did it in for me was when his Mother started sobbing as he was put back in the hearse and it drove off. It was as if she knew that it was really for real, that her baby was gone and not coming back.

This is what the PGR is all about, honoring the men and women who died doing their duty.

Semper Fi Marine. You went out a Marine and we as a nation will never forget you.

http://www.tucsonnewsnow.com/story/29198224/lance-corporal-matthew-determan-remebered

Tucson Marine killed in Hawaii Osprey crash remembered

Friends, family and fellow Marines gathered to support each other this morning in remembrance of Lance Corporal Matthew Determan.

Response by GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad made May 31 at 2015 1:53 AM

2015-05-31T01:53:40-04:00

Rest in peace Marine. Semper fi ...

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made May 31 at 2015 8:41 AM

2015-05-31T08:41:20-04:00

DUTY, HONOR COUNTRY! RIP fellow comrade!

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made May 31 at 2015 9:35 AM

2015-05-31T09:35:53-04:00

Another Marine reporting sir...Rest in peace. Semper Fidelis.

Response by SSgt Dan Montague made May 31 at 2015 12:24 PM

2015-05-31T12:24:45-04:00

Rest in peace young brother...Semper Fi

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made May 31 at 2015 2:19 PM

2015-05-31T14:19:13-04:00

Marine, this is what you signed up for...to train, to fight, snd die if needed. You wrote that blank check, and it was cashed. Your family has our condolences, you will be forever mortalized as a veteran to die in training...thank you so much for your service. As a lifer myself, and NCO, it is major events like this that our troops need reminding to take training very real. Thank for sharing, til Valhalla....we Salute you. Semper Fidelis: a promise to never forget, to keep you alive with memories....

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made May 31 at 2015 2:22 PM

2015-05-31T14:22:26-04:00

RIP Marine.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made May 31 at 2015 4:20 PM

2015-05-31T16:20:21-04:00

Semper Fi, brother. Godspeed.

Response by PO1 John Miller made May 31 at 2015 7:01 PM

2015-05-31T19:01:31-04:00

Both his recruiter and his best friend from Boot Camp were at the funeral. The recruiter, a young SSgt, spoke a few words. His friend, who came all the way from Maryland for the service, was too emotional to speak.

I was also very impressed with the military bearing shown by the Funeral Detail, the 21 Gun Salute, and the live rendering (not recording) of Taps.

Response by SGT Anthony Bussing made May 31 at 2015 7:34 PM

2015-05-31T19:34:34-04:00

12/5 Brother!

Response by PO2 Michael Berry made May 31 at 2015 10:17 PM

2015-05-31T22:17:05-04:00

It saddens me that military personnel get hurt and killed during training exercises. But lessons are generally learned to help prevent future accidents. LCpl Matthew Determan may you rest in peace and know that you will never be forgotten. Thank you for the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 13 at 2015 2:27 AM

2015-11-13T02:27:33-05:00

RIP and thanks for your service, Marine! God bless be with your soul and look after your family! Also want to give my thanks to the Patriot Guard Riders. They are always there for our troops and their families!