Matthew Blaskowski Obituary

Hello,
We realize that we are very late to express our deepest condolences, but we wanted to let your family and friends know that we will be sending Care Packages to deployed troops this week and several of these will be dedicated to your loved one. Each package will carry the name, photo and hometown of Matthew D. Blaskowski US Army Sergeant 1st Class.

We realize that this is a small tribute, but we do this with all respect and sincerity and we want you to know that it is made possible by thousands of like-minded individuals from across the American youth hockey community, their families and friends and others who support our mission.

We will not forget. May God Bless you and keep you safe and strong.

Sincerely,
Charlie Gili & Family
On Behalf of our US Hockey Players Support Our Troops Campaign

Love to the Blaskowski family as we remember Matthew again this year. Nine years have passed since the angels welcomed him to his heavenly home. We will not forget you Matthew!
With respect,
Al Salmi
Michigan PGR
Rapid River MI

I declare the healing strength of the God and Father of every brave warrior like your Matt fills you with great strength, healing and the ability to flow smoothly through the seasons of life! I pray this in Jesus name, Amen!

God Bless all the Blaskowski families!
"Preacherman"

I would just like to say thank you to the family and friends of 1st class Sgt Matthew D Blaskowski he gave his life to protect me from the evil that haunts the earth ... He sacrificed his life to keep me and thousands of other people out of harm's way and I am very grateful for his bravery ....

"Good men do not die.Their lives are as the tearing of the veil;they show us something of that which is eternal.We are comrades of those who are gone.We will adventure with hope,and in the spirit and strength of our great comrade of Galilee,who was acquainted with grief and knew the shadows of Gethsemane, we will fight the good fight of faith."

John Wilhelm Rowntree (1868-1905)British Quaker

Terry, Cheryl & Stan,
May the memory of Matt glow with a gentle warmth today and always.

Thoughts & Prayers to all the Blaskowski family in memory of our fallen HERO MATT.
Hugs,

May you have peace in your hearts and only good memories. We won't forget Matthew!

Missed you son at the family gathering over the weekend. You were there in our conversations and thoughts. Love you!

Dolly and I light this candle in memory of Matthew. Thoughts, hugs and prayers to ALL the Blaskowski family.

God bless you and your family!

SFC Matthew Blaskowski, gone but not forgotten. We will forever be the grateful for his service to our nation and having lived a life well=lived. Thank you to his family to keeping his memory and legacy alive.

Merry Christmas to my all-time favorite SkySoldier. You will remain my hero and my inspiration even if I live to be 150 years old.

Terry, Cheryl & Stan,
On this Christmas Day I've been thinking of you and Matthew....I know
time doesn't heal the pain of not having Matt here. Know that others have not forgotten this great guy and our Hero.
Blessings to all of you,
Al & Dolly Salmi
Michigan Patriot Guard Riders

Matt, may you forever remain alive in the hearts and minds of all of us. Again thank you and your family for your selfless sacrifice.

Thinking of Matt and never forgetting his life. To all the Blaskowski's our
thoughts & prayers are with you now and always.

Thank you for our freedoms Matt you will always be remembered! May God bless your family with healing and strength every day.
Sam Cottle

Ralph Waldo Emerson taught us that "though we travel the world to find the beautiful,we must carry it with us or we find it not."

Matt,you travel with us everyday,everywhere,and in everything we do.

To the family and friends of Sgt. 1st Class Matthew Blaskowski:
Please accept my remembrance of Matthew on the anniversary of his passing and know that he will never be forgotten.

Hey big brother, I could really use some of your advice right about now!! Or I guess some of your tough love you were so good at giving me!! lol Love you and miss u everyday man!!!

Thank you for your service and sacrifice. You got to go home before some of us, but we will see you again.
"A Viet Nam Vet"

You are our star always son!

Terry, Cheryl & Stan,
Thinking of you as we are about to enter a new year. Will always remember Matt. How hard it must be yet for all of you.
Best wishes from Dolly & myself.
Al
harleyriderone

Hey Big Brother, the holiday's are not the same with you not around!! We are missing you horribly right now!! I just keep telling the kids about the awesome Christmas's that we had together when we were kids! They get so excited when i tell all those stories!! Love you Big Brother!!!

Yesterday was a tough day sweetie, but all the memories and words that were shared about you by friends and family helped ease the pain. We are ok, Stan and family are ok...Daniela is ok, we all miss you desperately and have faith that we shall meet again in heaven. HUGS AND LOVE FOREVER....
God please give us strength and wisdom to find healing in these days.

We miss you today just alittle bit more than any other day. You will always be in our hearts and prayers going out for peace in your families hearts. Love and miss you

All of us who are Pathfinders and the National Pathfinder Association honor his memory every 23rd of September. He will not be forgotten.

To the family and friends of Sgt. 1st Class Matthew Blaskowski:
Remembering Matthew on the anniversary of his passing. May our fallen heroes never be forgotten!
Peggy Childers
"Don't Let The Memory Of Them Drift Away"
www.IraqWarHeroes.org

Miss you son.. :( wish I could hug you again and again

To the Family, I was Honored to read the name Matthew D. Blaskowski at the Illinois Freedom Run and Mideast Conflicts Wall Memorial in Marseilles, Illinois on June 20 this year. I send my deepest condolences on the loss of such a fine young Warrior and Hero. Know he will never be forgotten. Being a Gold Star Father myself, I know the pain youall have endured and my heart is with you always.

Thinking of you with gratitude and deep respect on this Memorial Day. You wore duty,honor,and accountability like a second skin,and you did it so naturally and so easily.You were at your very best every time you were man enough to reach down and lift up some young paratrooper who needed your help.You remain my inspiration, and when I feel unsure , you are my benchmark.

Miss you brother. There isnt a day that goes by that I don't think about how you would do something and then I would go do it. You always knew what I should do best. Because of all your advice about life and "women"...Julie has made me a happy-complete man. I love you brother.
PS: I have not told little Chris that his broken leg-uncle went to be a guardian angel for us.

Matt you will never be forgotten my son Clint misses you so very much. You were respected and you were such a great friend to him. He is making a career of the Army to honor his fallen Soldiers. 9 more years for him and I can understand why he feels this way. You will never be forgotten RIP SFC Clint Macks Mom................Linda

I'll never forget the days of playing badminton with you at grandma Goode's house. I miss you bud, thank you for everything you did for this country you will never be forgotten.

It was a honor teaching you Matt. 7th grade seems like a 100 years ago, but I happened across this while taking a research class.

Mr. Harmon
7th grade Math

It was so good to see your folks at the CPO Darga & Sgt. Greka LTBF Memorial in Alpena last week. I was one of the Patriot Guard Riders there.
Your bike looked so cool in our lineup
Blessings to all the Blaskowski's!

Brother,
No matter what I said when we were kids u weren't only my brother but you were my best friend. I love u and miss u more than any words could ever say. Thank u for your help in making me the man I am today!!

Love u
Stan

Two years have past and it all still seems so fresh in my heart. They say it gets easier with time and I guess in some aspects it does but, my heart still hurts. I miss you and think of you everyday. Love always Aunt CeCe

matt i wont ever forget you. you fought for our freedom, and made the ultimate sacrifice. keep smiling down at us.

Eleanor Roosevelt made this comment during World War II. After all those years, it still speaks to my spiritual condition today:
"Lest I keep my complacent way, I must remember somewhere out there a person died for me today. As long as there must be war, I ask,and I must answer, was I worth dying for?"
Matt, in the fall of 2007, I told you that you and all of those other young Sky Soldiers who were scattered up and down the Korengal Valley were America's real national treasure. I believed it then, and I still believe it.Matt, if I live to be a 150 years old, son, you will always be my hero and the source of my inspiration to carry on. May God hold you and the 173rd Airborne in the Light of His love.

Thinking of all of you today. Matt lives on through all of you everyday. Cheryl,Terry,Stan,Daniella and the entire family, you have carried on with what Matt believed in. God bless all of you. With love - Mert Vartanian

The family was out in force today Matt at the Posen Festival Parade. Stan was so proud to ride your bike. Becky, Haley and Keegan were stood proudly for you! We all were proud to represent you and honor your life and service. Miss you so much daily. Love Mom and Dad

As we approach the end of this month, I always become more emotional. Matt, you touched my family's as well as my heart when we served together in Italy. Please know that we ALL remember you (even my daughter, who is now 14 but she still remembers "Mike Wazowski". Remember, she couldn't pronounce your name back then, and "Monsters, Inc." was her favorite movie.) I'll never forget how you drove to Aviano to pick up my family when they flew in because I was deployed, and even though my wife didn't know a soul and was VERY nervous, you made her feel comfortable and welcome. Thank you for being a part of our lives, Brother, and I'm proud to have known and served with you.

Dear Son,

You are in our thoughts daily and we miss you so much. Daily my eyes fill with tears wishing it weren't so. Our lives have been blessed because of the gift of you. Happy Easter son. We look forward to meeting you again in Heaven.

Matthew,
I know you are so proud of your family for all they have done to welcome home your brothers. They have done an awesome thing to honor you and the others who have greatly served their country and who have paid the ultimate sacrifice like you. You are a HERO and you will forever be in the hearts of the people who love you and miss you so much. God Bless, rest in peace.
Terry and Cheryl,
I know how much you miss your son and how much we all wish we had one more day with them but I know that God is taking care of our boys now and that's what keeps me going. Your in my thoughts and prayers. Tami (mother of PFC Andrew Nelson KIA Dec. 25, 2006)

Matt,
Happy Birthday in Heaven. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

You are truly missed and alive in our hearts. And as you watch over us, I know you hear the great words that our children talk about when they see your photo. You are not only cousin Matt, you are Uncle Matt and tonight our youngest called you GOD. We love you Matt and think of you daily.

"But if the while I think on thee,dear friend, all losses are restored and sorrows end."
Shakespeare

"I've seen fire and I've seen rain,
I've seen sunny days that I thought would never end.
I've seen lonely times when I could not find a friend,
But I always thought that I'd see you again."

I can't believe it's been a year, it still feels like yesterday. We all miss you.

To Stan and All the Blaskowsi family...
Like Mike Deline, it was an honor to stand the flagline with other Patriot Guard Riders one year ago for all of you and especially for our hero Matthew!
You are all in our continued thoughts and prayers.
Peace and Love,

It has been a year and it is still so fresh in my memory. The disbelief,the anger, the saddness, the tears but most of all I remember the pride I felt that day. I know the kind of man you were and the great things you did for everyone around you. It amazes me how many people you met for a moment in time and how they all remember you to this day. I think of you everyday and wish you were still here. I love you Aunt Celeste

Matt, I can't believe it has already been a year big brother. It seems like just yesterday mom and dad were knocking on my door in the middle of the night. I miss you and love you more than anyone could know. You made such an impact on everybody's life that you encountered. You were a great man. (and no matter what I might have said when we were kids) You were the best big brother a person could ever ask for. I love you and always will.

Love you Matt
Your little brother
Stan

Holding you all in my thoughts and prayers.


The Wind on The Downs

“I like to think of you as brown and tall,
As strong and living as you used to be,
In khaki tunic, Sam Brown belt and all,
And standing there and laughing down at me.
Because they tell me, dear, that you are dead,
Because I can no longer see your face,
You have not died, it is not true, instead
You seek adventure in some other place.
That you are round about me, I believe;
I hear you laughing as you used to do,
Yet loving all the things I think of you;
And knowing you are happy, should I grieve?
You follow and are watchful where I go.”

(Written by Marian Allen during World War l )

Two lines that I wish you to keep near your heart…….

“You seek adventure in some other place.
That you are round about me, I believe”


I did not know Matthew, but I am remembering
his service. He is my hero. !

Eternal rest grant unto Matthew O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon him.
May he rest in peace. May Matthew’s soul
and the souls of all the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Amen.


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Other Side

i'm over on the other side
where life and death softly divide.
left my skin and bones behind
now i'm over on the other side.

can you feel me there with you?
my breath is gone but i'm not through.
loved you then and i still do
from over on the other side.

i can fly. really fly.
below the earth ... all through the sky.
tell em all i did not die.
i'm just over on the other side.

it's good here on the other side.
the sweetest songs...the bluest skies.
thank you for the tears you cried
but it's good here on the other side.

i can fly. really fly. below the earth...all through the sky.
tell em all i did not die.
i'm just over on the other side

the world is smaller than a needle's eye.
where life and death softly divide.
when you leave your skin and bones behind
i'll be waiting on the other side.

i can fly. really fly. below the earth ... all through the sky.
go tell em all i did not die.
i'm just over on the other side.

Song lyrics by Don Conoscenti
C Desert Muse/SESAC
www.donconoscenti.com
(Used with permission)

“I hope it brings great comfort to any and all.
Peace on you. DonCon” 4-2008


The Other Side –
(To hear the song)
http://tinyurl.com/3o8gol



Sincerely,

Deb Estep ~ Ohio
Proud Air Force Mom SSgt Vince – Lackland AFB
Proud Air Force MIL SrA Dana – Randolph AFB

Remembering The Fallen – Blog
http://tinyurl.com/3z8p55

Angel and soldier drawing I have shared here.
http://tinyurl.com/6gey8b

Matt,
Thinking and praying for you on the 1st anniversary of your passing into eternal glory. May God hold you in the palm of His hand. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends", John 15:13.

Dear Terry and Cheryl. It has been almost a year ago today you lost Matt and I just wanted to let you know I am still thinking of you, especially as this time of year approaches bringing more sadness. You are still in my thoughts and prayers. Matt, it has been a year, but seems like only yesterday we were up to Cheboygan for your funeral. We of the PGR will not forget you.

To the family of Sgt. 1st Class Matthew Blaskowski:
Matthew gave the ultimate sacrifice and will be held in the hearts of Americans forever. I cannot and will not let our fallen heroes be forgotten. My deepest sympathy to you. "Some gave all."
Peggy Childers
"Don't Let The Memory Of Them Drift Away"
www.IraqWarHeroes.org

Matt you would be so proud of your mom and dad, the love they have for you is showing in all they are doing for your comrads and friends. I know you are smiling down on all of this commotion. miss and love ya.

You are remembered and respected. Thank you Sgt 1st Class Blaskowski!

Blaskowski family I am so sorry for the loss of Matt, he was a great friend and classmate. He will be greatly missed. I am very proud of Matt for serving his country.

To the family of Sgt. Matt Blaskowski. I was so proud to be one of the many Patriot Guard Riders who stood the flagline in honor of Matt last September in Cheboygan.
Today, TV 6, WLUC TV, in Marquette, featured the bike painted to memorialize Matt's life. It brought both joy and pain to me as it surely does for you to see such a beautiful machine which was to be Matt's surprise.
Anyway...just to let you know I am thinking of all of you and saying a prayer for you....I know you miss Matt more each day that goes by.
God bless all of you.

To the family and friends of Sgt. 1st Class Matthew Blaskowski, our thoughts and prays are with you in your loss. What he has done for our freedom will not be forgotten. May God bless and comfort your family.

Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you every day.

Dear Cheryl, Terry, and family,

Just want you to know that not a day goes by, in some way, we are reminded of the great sacrifice you as a family and most personally how your Son Matthew as a brave War hero has given to our Nation. I cannot fathom what your loss must feel like. Rest assured that Matthew is in a much better place...peaceful in Gods arms. Bless you all at this time of Easter, and once again "Thank you Matt" for your fine protection and serving our Country!

I can honestly say everyday goes by and I still cannot fathom the loss of Matt. I didn't know him well, but wish I had. Just knowing his parents and his brother, I know he was raised well and into a good and VERY admirable man. All the joking and remarks aside, I think the world of the family and ache inside for them everyday. I am so glad that Matt was courageous enough to fight for the freedom we all know and love and he will be forever a hero to my family and I! Thanks Matt and may God bless the rest of his entire family.

Matt,
Happy Birthday in Heaven. May God hold you in the palm of His hand. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

I served with Matt at Drum and deployed to Bosnia with him. We used to have dinner at my house and break out in wrestling matches in my living room. I missed you when you left for Italy and I miss you still. Until we meet again Brother.

Cheryl, Terry and family,Just wanted you guys to know how much we love you. Not a day goes by we don't think of what you are going through, be strong and convinced that there are alot of us out here that care and will do anything we can for you.Love you very much and more.

Dear Terry and Cheryl,
Just another note of thanks for the sacrifice of your son Matthew's life for our FREEDOM. Joe and I are both gratefully indebted to you both!
Love -
Joe and Laura Derk

Hey big brother. We are all missing you right now. We know you are looking down at your niece and nephew watching them have a good holiday season. We just wish you could be here to share it with us. We love you and will never forget you. Merry Christmas brother.

My brother, my hero!!

Well, it is almost Christmas. I think about you every day, I still can't believe you're gone. I'll be going along in my day and out of the blue it will hit me all over again. I guess it's like that for all of us. Christmas cards are being sent to soldiers all over the world, words of encouragement for those wounded and homesick. We are homesick for you, but oh what a Christmas you will have with Jesus this year!
I send you so much love. Missing you.

My heartfelt sympathy to the Blaskowski family in the loss of Matthew. I did not know Matthew, but my heart is broken and I am saddened for your loss of such a fine young person and hero. May God bring you peace in your heart as you reflect on all the wonderful memories you hold so close. Please know that you are in my heart and prayers. My heart was touched by the many wonderful/beautiful things written about you. Matthew you are my hero and you will NEVER be forgotten.
I send each of you a hug from the most inner part of my heart.
Love and Peace
Tom

"To live in the hearts
of those you leave behind
is never to die"
~Robert Orr~

I can't even find the words...I lost my 19 year old son--5 Sept 2007, Balad, Iraq. I am absolutely devastated and I know that you are too...but find comfort in the fact that we will see our loved ones, our heroes again. Do I wish that I could trade places with my son? ABSOLUTELY not. He is in the arms of our Lord--"And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away" ~Rev 21:4
What a wonderful thought...
May God bless Sgt 1st Class Matthew Blaskowski, God bless you and your family and God bless America!

Contact me if you want to talk.

PROUD Mother of
Specialist Dane R. Balcon
KIA, 5 September 2007
Balad, Iraq

Matthew proved that whatever you put your mind to, you can accomplish. To be so young he demonstrated excellent leadership abilities. It is truly unfortunate, he wasn’t able to fulfill his love for Wildlife Forestry Conservation. He will deeply be missed by all and certainly not forgotten.

I have a dream,
That some day we’ll all be free
Free from war, no more death
That we’ll have true peace
And security

The Almighty God Jehovah, by means of His Son Jesus Christ Promises Just that, a world filled with peace.
“For evildoers themselves will be cut off, But those hoping in Jehovah are the ones that will possess the earth. And Just a little while longer, and the wicked one will be no more…… Psalm 37: 9,10


Sincerely,
Wanisha

WE PRAY THE LOVE OF GOD WILL COVER YOU
DURING YOUR TIME OF SADDNESS


SANDRA LEE PINSON BAILEY
KALEECYA JEAN ROSS
FAMILY OF
SGT. MATTHEW EVANS HATFIELD
82 AIRBORNE
AFGANISTAN

There are no words. My brother Sgt. Matthew Soper of the 1461st was taken from us on June 6 2007. I share your pain. I am so sorry.

Matt was the first person I met at Basic Training. There we were at the reception Battalion not sure which way to face or how to keep from messing things up! He was quick to show me the picture of his swamp buggy! I was lucky enough to keep in contact with him through the years and then see him in Qalat Afghanistan in 2005. It is great to see the pictures and kind words as I search his name on the internet.

See you when I get there Friend.

Bob Hutt

My heart breaks as I heard of the death of your Soldier Matthew. I hope that somehow, some way just knowing that other's care and grieve with you gives you a bit of comfort in the days ahead. I pray that God gives you strength, and comfort in the days ahead.
Vickie Cheek
Sky Soldier MOm to Sgt. Tanner 2-503

Dear loved ones we have never met but i wanted to say to you how sorry i am for your loss. There are many young Hero among us just like Matthew he will always be remembered for the strong and attention to commitment that it takes to be a military person. As a American i feel that we all need to say thank you for all the Matthews who gave there life to keep us from harmsway. I know how much you hurt and how hard it is to loose this wonderful man and i as well as many americans support you in your time of grief and need. Jesus took Matthew to a beautiful heaven and he is at Peace. Sincerely Elizabeth Zahller Soldiers Angels support team

I remember Matt way back playing on the same Little League team as my son. I'm sorry I didn't know him as the man he became. Thank you, Terry and Cheryl for the fine job you did raising such a selfless, brave son. I live close to Sacred Heart Cemetery and stopped by his grave on my way home from work the day he was buried. There was no one else there. The late afternoon was beautiful. As I stood there thanking him for his sacrifice, I felt the slight breeze, heard birds singing, and could hear the distance voices of children playing on nearby swings. That peacefulness is a gift to us from Matt and all others who have and are currently putting their life on the line to defend our freedom. Thankfully, this country has people like him willing to give the ultimate sacrifice to defend this great country. My prayers are with the Blaskowski family. May you feel the presence of Jesus with you as you grieve for your great loss.

To the family of Sgt. Matthew Blaskowsi,
Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you during this very difficult time. Matt stood for all of us and our way of life. It was an honor to stand for him and for you. Please accept our most sincere condolences.

Ed and Judy Hursh
Patriot Guard Riders

My sister and brother how our hearts ache for you, to imagine your loss is all we can do. in time the loss you feel now will lessen and the wonderful memorieswill start filling in the empty spaces. After meeting the brothers of his other family and listening to their stories I know they love Matt as much as we do. God be with you, "Go rest high on the mountain, son your work on earth is done." We love you

Our hearts go out to you at this time and in the days ahead.

You will be in our daily prayers. May God comfort you during this time of loss.

To Cheryl, Terry, Stan, and Daniella. I had the honor of meeting Matt when we were little. I also attended school with him. I was never very popular, but he was always nice to me. I also had the honor of sharing in the celebration of his life on Thursday. It was a beautiful ceremony that made everyone aware of what a wonderful human being he was. He was is and always will be a hero to all. Thank you Sgt. 1st class Matthew Blaskowski. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Dear family of Sgt. 1st Class Matthew Blaskowski, I am so sorry for the loss of your hero. He was a hero in many ways to many people. He was helping to maintain our freedoms and helping to bring freedoms to those that have never known freedom before. I send many packages to contacts listed at AnySoldier.com. Your Matthew, being a volunteer contact for Any Soldier.com, was an angel to many in the field. He cared enough for his unit to help pass out mail to those who maybe did not receive any or as much mail as others. Helping them to know that they were supported, cared for and prayed for by us at home in the USA. What a true hero. Freedom isn’t free.
Thank you Sgt. 1st Class Matthew Blaskowski. We miss you greatly.
May God’s Holy Spirit grant your family comfort as they progress through grieving for the loss of their very special hero.
From a Gold Star Mother (SSG Russell J. Verdugo KIA 5/23/05 - Baghdad)

To such a great person. I thank you matt for you also are a hero to my heart.

Dearest Daneilla, Cheryl, Terry, and Stan,

My girls and I will miss Matthew so much. We had the honor and privilege of watching Matt growup into the most fun loving, dedicated person that he became.

These wonderful memories; his smiles, jokes, and his sense of humour will never be lost as they are what we will remember most.

Thank you Cheryl, Terry, and Stan for the many memories we all shared and the times we enjoyed together with Matt. These memories are so cherried!

May God continue to surround His arms and love around us all in this difficult time.

We will continue to pray for the many soldiers still severing in the Armed forces and for their families and all of the men who served with Matt, as we know how important this was to Matt. We will continue to also pray for the many families who have also lost loved ones in this War.

We will never forget you Matt! You are our hero!

In loving memory of our Cousin, Sargent 1st Class Matthew D. Blaskowski

Karen, Stephanie, and Jessica, Florida cousins.

Thank you for the sacrifice made by Sgt 1st Class Blaskowski and the sacrifice made by everyone who loves and misses him! May God bless all of you!!