Today our walk was dedicated in honor of :
Army CWO2 Matthew G. Kelley, Age 30 of Cameron, MO.
KIA Jan. 26, 2009 Operation Iraqi Freedom
CWO2 Kelley was assigned to the 6th Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.
Matthew has two burial locations. He is buried in Harlan Cemetery in Turney, Missouri and he is buried here in a group burial along with Chief Warrant Officer 3 Philip E. Windorski,Chief Warrant Officer 2 Joshua M. Tillery and Chief Warrant Officer 2 Benjamin H. Todd. Here in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va.
Chief Warrant Officer 2 Kelley enlisted in the United States Army, completed basic and advanced individual training and airborne training at Fort Benning, Ga., and was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, N.C. He subsequently served a tour in Iraq as an Airborne Combat Infantryman. Upon his return from Iraq, he applied for Aviation Warrant Officer School from which he graduated and was assigned as Kiowa pilot in the Tenth Mountain Division at Fort Drum, N.Y. Late last year, he was transferred to Iraq where he flew Kiowas assigned to the 6th Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y. Matthew was one of 4 soldiers from Fort Drum who died when two OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopters crashed near Kirkuk, Iraq. The helicopters collided while evading enemy fire. They were struck by hostile fire while conducting a reconnaissance mission.
We had a great 8.43 mile walk. We walked to the Oaklawn Cemetery Pomona and visited with a few of our fallen brothers. We then headed back. It was around 19 deg. when we left this morning but what a beautiful day. I want to thank my friend Robert for walking with us this morning and I want to thank all who honked, waved, and saluted in helping me honor this hero. We had 171 honks today. Thank You.
Army CWO2 Matthew G. Kelley will not be forgotten.
