Matthew Ferrara Obituary

Thank you for your service and sacrifice. Your family will remain in my prayers.

Thank you for your service and sacrifice. Your family will continue to be in my prayers.

This wonderful, courageous, and handsome young man answered the bell and walked tall into anything and everything his country asked him to. Be proud.

My heart aches from reading about Matthew and his comrades. I pray God help comfort you all in this devastating tragedy. Matthew, like his brothers, is an amazing man to have sacrificed his life for this great country. Such brave men and women are responsible for making our country safe and free, even willing to pay the ultimate price of freedom. That takes a very brave and compassionate person. My son, Greg, is in his first year of the USMC, which has really sensitized me to having tears every time I see another story and face of a soldier killed. It breaks my heart, but not as much as yours right now. I don't know what tomorrow will bring for us either. My heart goes out to you all. In sympathy, Laura www.freewebs.com/vinlaurfarms

Hello,
We would like to express our deepest condolences and also let the Ferrara Family and friends know that we will be sending Care Packages to troops in Afghanistan this week and we'll be dedicating several of these to your loved one. Each package will carry the name, photo and the hometown of Matthew C. Ferrara US Army Captain. 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. We will not forget. May God Bless you and keep you strong.
Sincerely,
Charlie Gili & Family
On Behalf of the US Hockey Players Support Our Troops Campaign

In memory and honor of Matthew Ferrara on this day & everyday.

Thinking of you and your family this Memorial Day 2012 weekend. Thank you for your dedication to this great country. My heart is forever with your family.

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

I know this is a tough time of year for the ferrara family, but I wanted to let you know that we are thinking of and praying for your family. We and thankful there are young men like Matthew and his siblings who are willing to stand in the gap for the rest of us. Josh is still at benning and now is proud father of two. He still mourns for Matt and Ben.

To the family and friends of 1st Lt. Matthew Ferrara:
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

Matthew, on this Memorial Day weekend 2010, we Thank You for the sacrifice you gave for our freedom. You are a true American Hero!

Dear Ferrara Family,

Don't know if this site if viewed anymore, but I just read about it in USA Today and had to leave a note. My son, Josh Harrison, was a PL in the 173rd as well and considered Matt one of his best friends. I think they did a good bit of stuff together in Italy (running with the bulls perhaps?)

I know Josh was hit really hard with Matt's death - it was the lowest point of the entire deployment. He even made the comment to me, in an infrequent call, that "we're 1/3 of the way through deployment and 1/2 of my close friends are gone."

Josh got us bracelets for Matt and Benjamin Hall, another close friend who was killed. We wore them throughout the deployment and prayed for your family often (our whole church did).

When Josh was 18, we let him pick a tree and planted it in the front yard. It is a live oak. When he returned from Afghanistan, we had a welcome home service and a memorial service for Matt and Ben. We buried the bracelets by the live oak and they will stay there forever.

I don't know how you deal with this, but know that Matt is not forgotten.

Love,
John and Darlene Harrison

You might not know me, but something is telling me to sign this guestbook. My grandfather was in the army tooand his last name was Ferrara. In fact he was in WWII, he was an Kernel. Well, he just recently passed on into another life, I hope ya'll meet up. You jus might be family.

We love our Soldiers! We love our country and we cannot express enough love and compassion to the families at this time. This is a Nonprofit Organization to honor are Soldiers!
FREE OIL ON CANVAS PAINTING OF THIS HERO. COMPLETE FORM AT WWW.HEROPAINTINGS.COM
Please contact us! Contact us directly at [email protected] or go to www.heropaintings.com. If you have already had a portrait completed, we pray that you are enjoying the portrait and God Bless You.
Sincerely,
Kenna

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 and sacrifice. He is my hero. !

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

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

To the family of 1st Lt. Matthew Ferrara:
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

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

You are remembered and respected. Thank you 1st Lt Ferrara!

I am 16, and my mom is doing a project for fallen soldiers, with a wood working group, and I am in the process of making a slide show of all the fallen soldiers.
When I came across this picture of Matthew, something hit me... I don't know what. There is something about him that has just grabbed a hold of me. I have gone through a hundred pictures, and yet this is the only one that has really gotten to me... I send my prayers and deepest sympathy to his family.
In God, forever
16, year old girl who has been taken by the bravery of Matthew Ferrara.

We just want to let know you know that there are many people like us who grieved over Matthew's death. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family as you walk through this difficult time.
Just army mother whose son is about to be deployed

We are very sorry to hear about your loss. Though we don't know Matthew personally, our son does since they traveled together in China as students in West Point. Our thoughts and prayers are with you as go through this difficult time.

Simone and all the Ferrara family, Im extremely sorry to hear about the loss of Matt, he sounded like an amazing man. I served in that same area of Afghanistan and I truly can appreciate his bravery. I lost my little brother Micah in Iraq last year and when I heard of your loss Simone I wanted to contact you and reach out to you. I know there's not much that can be said but I am thinking and praying for you and your entire family during this difficult time. To Mr and Mrs Ferrara I just want to say how amazed I am as a parent of 2 little ones at the job you did with your children, what a tribute they all are to you in who theyve become, I have prayed for you every night since I heard in hopes that you find some peace in knowing what a hero Matt will always be. Regards, Captain Benjamin Gifford (USMC)

The Ferrara Family,
My deepest sympathy on your loss. I did not know Matthew, but was was one of Marcus's friends. My prayers are with you and your family during this time.
Sincerely,
Joanna Jarry-Sherman

I'm just a soon-to-be soldier who visits websites to read about the fallen soldiers. Every once in a while, a particular story hits me. This one has. I hope your family finds solace in the courage 1st LT Ferrara possessed. I am entering Officer Candidate School in the Spring, and if I am half the soldier that 1st LT Ferrara was then I will be content. Thank you for your sacrifice, LT. God bless you, Ferrara family.

The living have envy to contend with, while those who are no longer in our path are honoured with a goodwill into which rivalry does not enter.
~Pericles

Dear Ferrara and Goff family,
My family and I would like to give our deepest sympathy for your terrible loss. Matthew is a Hero to me. I didn't know him, but I know Marcus. And have met Mrs. Ferrara some years ago. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. God Bless your family.
Love,
Flo

I knew Matt since elemetary, he was one of the best people i knew all the way to the point of high school graduation. I remember in PE he was always the fastest runner and i would always do my best to keep up with him. He was a great student an excellent person and a fast runner. My sympathy goes out to his family...

I am so sorry to hear of the death of Matthew. I grew up knowing Mario and Lucille Ferrara as well as all the Giulianos, and my family (The McLaughlins) are all from Massachusetts. My father(Art) worked with Mario at the Gardena Post Office. My uncle, Yano Tine, was a close childhood friend of Mario's. I mention all this because, even though I didn't know Matthew or his immediate family personally, knowing his grandfather tells me who Matthew was. My heart breaks for all of you. I wish you solace in the fact that Matthew will be remembered as the hero that he was, and in that way his presence will always be with you.
Love, Kathy Lalonde

My heartfelt sympathy to the Ferrara 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 wish to send my heart felt condolences to your family and friends on the death of your warrior son Michael. I thank you for raising a man of purpose and courage who was willing to take on our enemy so that others like myself may live free. I am so sorry for his loss and those of his men. I will forever remember Michael as I enjoy the gifts of freedom and the legacy of his life. Never doubt the hearts of America are mourning with you all.
Another Army mom,
West Point 2007
Lisa Disbrow

May God bless all of you at the loss of Matthew, an American Hero.His courageous and honorable service to our country is deeply appreciated. Thank you, Matthew.

Linda and Mario and family,

I just want to say again on behalf of myself, Cindy, and our sons Peter and Nick how sorry we are for your loss of Matt. You can be most proud of your son and how he lived his short life. He was a great role model for all those West Point Cadets and soldiers who will follow him. We will all miss him and remember him. Know that he is now with God and at peace.

Peter often remarked to us how much he enjoyed the first year at West Point and his company, C4 (Cowboys). I know a large part of that was his friendship with Matt and others in the company. Matt was so outgoing and helpful and such a leader, and it was great for Pete to meet someone like that in his first year. As I sat at the services yesterday and saw the video and pictures, I was doubly saddened by the fact that Matt and Pete had so much in common and that they won't be able to continue their friendship and some of the exciting adventures they might have shared.

I also wanted to tell you how impressed Cindy and I were with the services yesterday. They were conducted with such class and such dignity, and we could not believe how well both of you and the family handled that very difficult time. Everything was absolutely wonderful. I know we came away with both a better appreciation and affection for Matt, but also for the entire Ferrara (and Goff) family. We just cannot say enough about your sons and daughter. It was a very sad but also impressive display of the quality, sincerity and integrity of the entire family. Your love for Matt and the closeness of the whole family was very much in evidence.

I wish that I could say something clever and helpful to you that would be comforting at this time, but I am really at a loss for words. Please remember that we are always available to you if you want to talk or commiserate. We have had some of the same West Point and Army deployment experiences in common and would be happy to help in any way we can.

Please also come up to visit us in Big Bear if you would like to get away for a few days and ski or whatever. We would truly love it.

Once again, our condolences on your terrible loss.

With much love and affection,

Dear Ferrara Family,

My deepest regrets in hearing about the loss of your son. I went through Beast with him at West Point and through the years we became good friends. We will all miss him dearly.

My heart goes out to you and your famly, may he rest in peace with Ben Hall and all the other members who have fallen in their unit. They will never be forgotten. LTC and Mrs. Bruce W. Moler, Ret.

TO MATTHEW'S FAMILY.

ON BEHALF OF YOUR LAWRENCE, MA. COUSINS (THE DIMARTINO/FERRARA FAMILY} I WISH TO EXPRESS HOW SAD WE WERE TO HEAR OF YOUR LOSS OF YOUR BEAUTIFUL AND BRAVE SON AND BROTHER MATT. COUSIN CHUCK FERRARA THAT I AM VERY CLOSE TO, INFORMED OUR FAMILY TODAY. NO WORDS OF COMFORT CAN EVER BE FOUND TO EXPRESS WHAT IS IN OUR HEARTS. LOOKING AT THE PHOTOS THAT CHUCK FORWARDED BROUGHT A SENSE OF CLOSENESS TO ALL OF YOU. YOU ARE IN OUR PRAYERS. WITH LOVE,

COUSIN FRANCESCA (CHICKIE) PETERS

Dearest Ferrara Family,

I'm so very sorry for the loss of
your son.

My prayers and thoughts are with
you and your family.

To my cousin MARio, his wife LINDA an thier children. To Linda's family the GOFF's in NEW ZELAND. An extraordinary man in an extraordinary family. Our new hero. I know so well of MATT's grandfather MARIO FERRARA and his bravery and seervice in WW2. I do believe that MATT is standing next to our UNCLE MARIO now. Trading stories and having a "cold one". AMERICA is sad. AMERICA is proud. Freedom will endure in our great land because of men and women like MATT. For this, we must also, even in our grief stand tall and proud. THANK YOU MATT! Your MASSACHUSETTS cousin CHUCK FERRARA

WE ARE SORRY FOR THE LOSS OF YOUR LOVED ONE AND KEEP YOU IN OUR PRAYERS.

THE FAMILY OF
SGT. MATTHEW HATFIELD
82 AIRBORNE
AFGANISTAN

To the Parants of 1LT Matt Ferrara and Matt's Family:

You are an amazing American family and I am grateful and proud that our son Ben was able to meet Matt, become his friend, and to serve with him in one of the finest units in the United States Army. On behalf of my family, I offer our deepest and most sincere condolences. If there is any comfort I can offer you and your family, I’d just like to say that Matt and Ben were Lieutenants in the same unit, they trained together, traveled in Europe together, partied together, fought together in defense of our Nation, and now they are together again. Thank you Matt, for your dedicated service to our Nation and for your friendship with my son. May you both rest in peace.

John W. Hall
Proud Gold Star Father of 1LT Ben Hall, KIA on 07/31/07
Colonel, US Army (Retired)

I did not know you, 1st Lt. Matthew Ferrara but am deeply grieved over your passing. You are a son of all Americans and we are grateful for your sacrifice for freedom. My heart felt sympathies and sincere prayers go to the Ferrara family and friends. Thank you Matthew. Now rest in peace, son.

I am writing to offer my condolences to you and your family over the loss of your HERO 1st Lt Matthew Ferrara. I lost my son in Iraq on May 6/2007, so I can well understand your pain of losing a loved one so dear.

I pray you will be guided by a higher power to give you peace, comfort and strength in this time.

Psalm 34:18
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit
GOD Bless you and your family. Your soldier was a true American Hero and we are all very proud of his service. He will not be forgotten!

(Proud mother of Sgt Joel W. Lewis, 5/20, 3-2 SBCT -KIA May 6/07, Baqubah, Iraq)

My prayers and thoughts are with you.
I know how you feel losing a "HERO",Becoming a "Gold Star" Mother myself on 25 March.. The sacrafice our sons and daughters are making on a daily basis should tell us all..These young HEROS knew full well what they were doing and did it proudly When you hug your loved ones tonight.... Remember... We also hugged ours and they were protecting you..We.. as Americans need to make the "Ultimate Sacrafice" by supporting all our military(HEROS)...the Proud Mom of SGT. Jason W. Swiger
5th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne,Fort Bragg, N.C. KIA 3/25/007

My Deepest and Most Heartfelt Sympathy goes out to the family of 1st LT. Matthew Ferrara, with a Multitude of Thanks for this Brave Young Soldier's Courage, Dedication and Service to our Country and for Freedom.

The price Matthew and his family have paid, Will Never Be Forgotten. May he Rest Safely now, in God's Care and may the Peace of God be with the Ferrara family.
I am the Sister of such a young hero, who made the Ultimate Sacrifice in Vietnam, many years ago

"Surely He hath borne our grief,
and carried our sorrows."
~ Isaiah 53:4 ~

May you find comfort and strength, in the beautiful memories of times spent with Matthew and quietly and gently, may healing come, with each new day.
You are in my thoughts and my prayers.

With the deepest regret, I have just learned of the death of Lieutenant Ferrara. As a Vietnam Veteran and the State Chaplain of the Georgia Society, Sons Of The American Revolution, I speak for our President, Charlie A. Newcomer, III and the more than 1,400 SAR members around the State of Georgia in humbly expressing the condolences of a grateful Society. Wrapped in the integrity of service to our nation and the inestimable values of duty, honor and country, your American hero stood on a wall of freedom for us all. This precious life, lived and lost in love of America, epitomized every attribute of patriotism the Sons Of The American Revolution hold dear. And, as Americans, we could never repay the debt we owe ..!! Nor the debt we owe you… the family of one of America's best ...!!!

There is nothing that I can say or do to take away the pain or bring you peace in your time of sorrow, but I will offer you and your family my heart felt condolences. I also offer you my prayers that in time the pain will easy and the memories of your HERO will carry you through each day and night. I want to thank your HERO, for his/her selfless act of becoming a member of the armed forces, his/her willingness to defend the United States of America, all that we hold sacred and for the sacrifice that will forever be etched in the memories of all those who knew him/her. Though tears can never bring him/her back, we hope that our tears express our gratitude for the sacrifice that he/she made and our sorrow at his/her passing. I believe for every fallen HERO there is a star shining brightly up above to remind us of the precious gift we were given.

Your mission on earth is complete and you are now a member of GOD’s Heavenly armed forces. Stand down brave warrior and take your rightful place in Heaven with all the HEROES who have passed before.

I made a special promise to LE RON A. WILSON, a dear family friend who joined the Army with three other friends, one of whom is my son (Le Ron was killed in action on 07/06/07 at the age of 18) on the day he was laid to rest as I touched his coffin, that I would never forget him nor would I forget those that gave their lives for our country before him, with him and after him and so when I came across www.legacy.com, I thought what a great way to keep my promise to Le Ron, so I will continue to leave tributes in each guest book until the day there is no longer the need to leave these tributes to a FALLEN HERO.

REST IN PEACE, HERO, YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN!!

I would also like to tell you about a website, http://groups.msn.com/SSPSoldierPor
traits/homepage,
where some wonderful people will make wood portraits of your fallen Hero for free for the immediate family. I became aware of this site when I wanted to do something special for Le Ron’s mother.

PROUD MOTHER OF A U.S. SOLDIER
Currently stationed in Germany
Althea Barrett (Queens, NY)

To the Family and Friends of this Soldier:
I will stand in grief with this soldier's family to honor him. For every fallen HERO there is a bright star that shines in the evening sky to remind us of the cherished gift we were given – even if for too short a time.
My heart breaks again as I sign yet another guest book of another courageous young soldier who gave their life so selflessly. I wish I never found myself in a position to have to sign another guestbook for the rest of my life, but I promised Brent that neither he nor any like him would be forgotten and so I will continue until the day there is no longer the need.
We lost our son SFC Brent A. Adams on 12/1/05 and it seems like yesterday. I wish so badly there were things I could say to you right now to make the pain you are feeling go away, but I know first hand there simply are no words that will bring you the comfort and peace your heart aches for. Just know that you are not alone. My heart, thoughts, and prayers are with you all as you go through this tragedy moment by moment and as you mourn this loss.
We don't know each other, will probably never meet, but will forever be united in the loss of our Heroes. We have, unfortunately joined a group none of us wanted to join, an ever-growing group of families in this situation. May God grant you peace and strength to get through this and be able once again to smile at a memory rather than have only the tears that flow so easily now. To be so proud of your loved one and so saddened at the same time is a mix of emotions very difficult to deal with as our hearts both burst with pride and pain together.
I am sorry that I never knew your soldier personally. While they can never be replaced, neither will they ever be forgotten. You must trust that sometime, someday the loving memories you have will help to sustain you and help you go on. This courageous soldier will forever be your Angel watching over you all for the rest of your lives. It's what brings me some measure of peace and comfort and I hope it will you as well.
To his family and friends in pain, I offer this comfort: When you find yourself in that dark sorrowful place, think not only of how you will miss him, but instead recall the years, days, hours and minutes gifted to you by his presence. The one thing that cannot be taken from you is your wonderful memories that now will mean more than ever.
If you ever want to talk, I'm only an e:mail away and would love for you to tell me more about your Hero.
God Bless this soldier and family who gave all and God Bless legacy.com for setting up this site where families can so quickly share their condolences and prayers with others like themselves.
Proud Parents of SFC Brent A. Adams, KIA, 12/1/05, Ramadi, Iraq
Pam and Bill Adams, Lancaster, PA

As the mother of a son who is deployed, I want to send my condolences. Please know that there are many, many people who grieve with you.

REST IN PEACE 1ST LT. FERRARA, TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS MAY THE MEMORIES OF THIS WONDERFUL SOLDIERS LIFE FILL YOUR HEARTS WITH BEAUTIFUL MEMORIES
GOD BLESS YOU

To the family of Matthew, I know words cannot cover what you are feeling right now, nor can words make you feel better. I hope that the presence of friends and family help to ease the pain of this loss. I too lost my son, Sgt Michael Yashinski on Christmas Eve 2003 while he was serving with the 173rd Airborne Brigade. If you ever want to talk don't hesitate to contact me.