Memorial Day 2010

Today is our nation's official observance of Memorial Day. Unfortunately, due to several hotly contested local races in tomorrow's primary, we've given little attention to this day, a day to honor our country's military who have died in service. Perhaps some readers missed our series of columns from last year; therefore, we will today give them a well-deserved encore.

Some Gay Ball?

Sammy Coker - He Died Twice for his Country

The Don Michael-Audie Murphy Bridge?

Lionel Terry - He Died to Protect an H-Bomb

Alabama Veterans Museum & Archives

Matthew D. Conley - He Never Saw His Daughter


As today we honor those who gave all for America, let us remember to pray for those who are currently serving our country.

Shoalanda

Matthew D. Conley - He Never Saw His Daughter

Part VI in our Memorial Week series:

Matthew D. Conley grew up in the small unincorporated town of Greenhill, home of the Rogers High School Pirates. His funeral was held in the school gym.

Conley was killed in Iraq on February 18, 2006, the first Shoals area native to die in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Besides his parents and two sisters, Conley was survived by his pregnant wife Nicole. He was two weeks short of his 22nd birthday.

Matthew Conley's daughter Catherine was born on March 16, 2006, 25 days after his death. While Catherine will never have the opportunity to know her father, she will certainly learn about his life and death from those who knew and loved him.

There have been many tributes to Corp. Conley, here is one of them:



Let us hope that this war is soon over and all who are serving our country will be honored on Veterans Day--not Memorial Day.