With the 4th of July celebrated virtually this year due to the pandemic, we should take time to remember the sacrifices of those who gave us our freedom. Those fateful words written over 220 years ago in the Declaration of Independence set our country in motion. Many battles have been fought and lives lost since then to keep us free.
One of those lost was my wife’s Uncle, Cpl. Donald Matney, who joined the army at 17 in 1949.
At first, he celebrated the good life as a young soldier seeing the world performing occupational duties in Japan. But then the North Koreans attacked. Instead of fishing and playing field games, his 19th Infantry Division was suddenly thrust into horrid battle. Within two weeks, he disappeared.
My wife and I set out in 2010 to discover what we could about her young uncle. Our journey would take us to Washington, DC and to Korea and to many places in between. We contacted war veterans, the army, other government agencies and many ordinary folks who had also lost loved ones. Slowly, carefully, we reconstructed his short life and identified an unknown soldier who might have been him. And in 2017, the army confirmed his identity and we reburied him beside his mother in Missouri. You can learn more about Cpl. Donald Matney and our adventure in the book A Korean War Odyssey available at Amazon and other fine book stores.
Tom Gromley
So, as the 4th of July passes by and Labor Day creeps up on us, remember our veterans and those who have given their all to keep us free. And if you or someone you know has a loved one who is missing in action, don’t give up. There are answers.
~ Tom Gormley has more than 40 years of business experience in high-tech industries and enjoys pursuing his passions for writing, history, and travel. To learn more, please read “A Korean War Odyssey” and visit www.tomgormley.com