Ordinary people, extraordinary things

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Jeffrey Matthew
  • 514th Maintenance Group
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  The past few months have been busy and full of change as I say good bye to the fantastic men and women of the 714th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and move up to become the 514th Maintenance Group deputy commander, working for the groups 600-plus men and women. I have been particularly reflective, looking back at my recent promotion and move, thinking about the path I have taken to get to this point, and what is ahead.

Someone once said that we must learn from the past, live in the present and look to the future. These are wise words, and I have been thinking a lot about what I have learned, what I must do in this new role and where to go from here.

I keep coming back to the beginning of my career, and I remember thinking about a family member who spent his entire career in the military.

Uncle Bob started his military career as a second lieutenant reporting to one of his first duty assignments in Hawaii in late December, 1941, and his path led through the west coast in 1942 and 1943, France's Omaha Beach in June 1944, Europe in 1944 and 1945. He later went on to Japan and Korea in 1952 and 1953, and finally came back to the states, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel in the 1960's.

Uncle Bob's path led him around the globe, through harm's way on countless occasions, and into the aftermath and devastation of two wars. His job and specialty was unique - he was assigned to an Army mortuary affairs unit, and his job was the identification and final disposition of remains of America's heroes.

Similar to other members of his generation, Uncle Bob never really talked about what he did or what he saw. The most my family heard were the basics of the story as noted above, until about three years ago when we were all attending the funeral and burial of a family friend at Arlington National Cemetery. Walking with Uncle Bob through the WWII and other memorials, my brother, who is an Army captain, and I finally got him to share some of his story.

Space and time preclude my ability share the whole story, but I will share two highlights.
Uncle Bob was in the 13th wave at Omaha Beach, served as a lieutenant in a mortuary affairs platoon and helped establish the cemeteries in Normandy, on the beach and then on the shore above. Uncle Bob worked with a unit in Japan in 1952 and 1953 that identified remains of fallen soldiers in the Korean War and transferred them home.

Needless to say my brother and I were surprised and awed. Uncle Bob has always been what anyone would describe as normal. He is a quiet, kind man who has always supported me and my brother, but never pushed us to join or leave the military. Uncle Bob could be described as an ordinary man who has done extraordinary things.
I have a habit of repeatedly watching movies or series that I truly enjoy, and two series that I have watched countless times are "Band of Brothers" and "The Pacific."

I don't watch it for the action or violence, rather my interest is related to the stories of different members of society coming together, fighting together, achieving victory, and going back to live a "normal" life.

I think often about Uncle Bob and his generation, how they served in a time of great conflict and returned home to their normal lives. I think of those who have worn the uniform, especially since 9/11, who have tried to do the same thing. We do our part and then go back home to our families and careers, however, those of us still in the military, especially in the Reserve, we still go through this process.

Getting back to my path, I am proud to follow in the footsteps of other veterans and I am proud to have served with other veterans both at home and deployed. I am so very appreciative to be surrounded by such great Americans and I am appreciative and humbled by of all their sacrifices. I look forward to meeting new people and continuing to serve our Airmen, our military, our veterans and our country.

Uncle Bob just turned 95. Happy birthday, Uncle Bob! Thank you for serving and for what you and your generation have done for us. I can only hope that the generations that follow will continue to remember and thank you and all of our veterans, and remember those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice. God bless the U.S.A.