Honor your hero with thoughts, memories, images and stories.
Matthew Joseph England was killed in action in An Najah province, Iraq when enemy forced attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 3rd squadron, 3d Armored Calvary regiment Ft Hood Texas. Matthew attended school at Lutie R-6 accelerated school in Theodosia, MO where he was in the Honors Society and graduated as salutatorian. He was also the president of the Tech Club, played basketball, and participated in other student activities. In addition to serving in the US Army Matthew was working hard at earning his college degree. Matthew had set some lofty goals for his future. His "dream job" had always been to someday fly military aircraft; it did not matter what kind of aircraft, as long as he could pilot something. He had hoped his commanding officers would someday see fit to nominate him for Warrant Officer Flight School. If that was not to be, Matthew's backup plan was equally ambitious. He would remain serving in the military until graduating from college in hopes that a college degree, coupled with his experience as a veteran soldier, would be enough to entice the CIA into allowing him a shot at joining their coveted ranks. It did not necessarily have to be as a covert agent"”a position sitting in a cubicle in front of a computer analyzing data would have been just fine. He was a whiz at computers. But his life was far from being all seriousness. When home in the Ozarks Matthew enjoyed the lakes in the summertime, especially when getting a thrill by jumping from the tops of the bluffs (young person craziness). In the colder months he fervently wished for snow to fall deep enough to allow him break out his snowboard. While stationed at Ft. Hood where there was little chance of going snowboarding, he substituted his snowboard with a skateboard and quickly came to enjoy that sport. The big adventure he was waiting anxiously to do after his tour was over was to learn to skydive. He spent the past year trying to entice his stepdad (a former army paratrooper) into returning to the skies to take lessons. Matthew loved music of all kinds, especially classic rock, and was a fan of movies. Matthew was a "muscle car" enthusiast. He owned two Camaros"”a 1984 Z-28 given to him on his 16th birthday by his stepdad and me and a 1993 Z-28 he bought on his own. He was saving his money to buy a brand new Dodge Challenger. Matthew England was a proud, dedicated soldier who was intelligent and witty and driven. He was a good friend to those deserving. He especially cherished the bond developed with those fellow soldiers with whom he served side by side. Those young fighting men"”many of whom I feel I know personally"”are true friends, evident by their genuine posts on Matthew's Facebook page and their heartfelt correspondences with me. My husband is a former soldier and he mentioned so many times the camaraderie that exists between soldiers; I now truly understand. I think back over the life I spent with Matthew...it went by so quickly yet was filled with so many wondrous things! I could write forever about him in this dedication but I will end with this...PFC Matthew Joseph England was my loving son...and to me, he was simply awesome.
Pfc. Matthew J. England, my beloved son,my only child, died June 8, in An Najaf province, Iraq, while serving in Iraq in support of Operation New Dawn. Enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Hood, Texas. He entered active-duty service in September 2009 as an armor crewman, deployed in August of 2010 and expected to return home in August of 2011 following his one-year tour of duty. He is sadly missed by his Grandfather, Doug England a retired member of the AirForce, his two Uncles, Chris and David England, his Aunt Kari England all of Bartlett, Tn. As well as, Mary and Billy Rubin, Matthews Great Aunt and Uncle,of Memphis,Tn. His mother Pamela Hengen of Gainesville,Mo. As well as, Alyssa Blache and their precious little daughter Daphanie. A father couldn't be more proud of his son the way that I am, Matthew is a helluva man,a grandson, a nephew,a son. We talked and shared things only a father and son could have, these talks and every aspect of his life will endure forever in me. There is no one or nothing, even war, even his death that will be able to take that away from me. Matthews life made a real and permanent difference to our lives,as well as his friends and extended family. A little about Matthew my son, in case you had never had the opportunity to know or meet him, between his grandfather and I, he inherited his handsome and good looks, his winning smile and outstanding sense of humor. He was clever, always surprising, one would never know what he would come up with next. Us three (my father, myself and Matthew)were so very close,insepartable, we looked alike, spoke alike, walked alike and were mischievous together. We earned and gained attention every where we went, we had so much fun, uncountable great times. His birth and his death has changed my life forever. I am so proud of Matthew, what he stood for, serving his country, his bravery, his courage, the ultimate sacrifice so that others may have a better life. In loving memory of my beloved son Matthew Joseph England: Forever with love; his Father, Daniel Joseph England. Bartlett, Tenn.
A father's love, unconditional and neverending. As you comprehend this profound loss, let yourself cry knowing each tear is a note of love rising to the heavens.