Airman First Class Matthew Seidler was born in Baltimore on Jan 3rd, 1988 and raised in in Carroll County, Maryland. Matt was smart, a quick learner with a keen sense of humor. In preschool and elementary school he made lifelong friends that he stayed close with through the years. He was a Cub Scout, enjoyed computers, soccer, paintball, and skateboarding. He approached new experiences with excitement and enthusiasm. Being competitive, he loved playing games of all kinds from Monopoly, to video games and poker with friends. He helped form his high school’s first Ultimate Frisbee club and he loved playing the game with friends after school and on weekends. Matt had many friends and would eagerly help them with their school work and projects and encouraged them to go after their dreams. With his close extended family, they shared fun family vacations together. He was close with his cousins and enjoyed spending time with them. Matt was a loyal friend and looked forward to seeing his friends whenever he was home. He cherished his time with them whether just hanging out, going to the movies or out for Sushi. Matt was an avid fan of the Baltimore Ravens. Matt treasured time with his dad watching the football games and cheering on the Ravens together. He studied graphic design at Stevenson University and Carroll Community College before deciding to join the Air Force. From the start of enlisting in the Air Force in 2009, Matt wanted to be an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician (EOD). It was important to him that it was a job that saved lives. Knowing that EOD tech school was going to be challenging, Matt was determined to do his best. After completion of Basic Training at Lackland Air Force Base Texas, he successfully completed Naval School Explosive Ordnance Disposal at Eglin AFB Florida. At graduation he was very proud to have accomplished his goal and be a member of the close knit EOD family. He had gone after his dream as he had encouraged others to do. As Airman 1st Class, he was then assigned to Peterson AFB, Colorado as an EOD Technician where he deployed to Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM in October 2011. During his training and deployment Matt had become more insightful and introspective and he shared the following lyrics from the song Opportunity, “Don't be scared of what you cannot see, your only fear is possibility.” Airman Matthew Seidler and two of his teammates were killed in action in Helmand Province, Afghanistan on January 5, 2012 when their vehicle struck a roadside improvised explosive device. Airman Seidler's awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal with Valor, the Purple Heart, the Air Force Combat Action Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, and the NATO Medal. Airman First Class Matthew R. Seidler is survived by his parents Marc and Lauren Seidler, his brother Justin Seidler, as well as extended family and many friends who miss him dearly. Airman Seidler was a true American patriot; he exemplified heroism by any standard.

Lauren Seidler, Mother