I attended Sergeant Matthew Leininger's funeral on Friday. Matthew had been adopted by Soldiers Angels and the Matthew's family had requested that, in lieu of flowers, to donate to SA in Matthew's name. The Illinois Patriot Guard Riders were there with a big turnout, on short notice on a Holiday weekend. These people are the best. Matt was a two tour combat vet of Operation Iraqi Freedom (2004 and 2007). He served as a combat MP and had a big heart. He started a charity in order to help the Iraqis and was supported by his chain of command. It is obvious that Matt loved his country and loved his fellow man as well. Not only did he do his duty for his country, he went above and beyond to win over the Iraqi people (a Surge in his own right). Matthew Leininger, left, returning from Iraq. He was a proud father of two young children. Below are a few articles that I found about SGT Leininger: MP anxious to deploy, help Iraqi people, children SGT. PAULA TAYLOR 4th BCT, 1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs - While some Soldiers are anxiously waiting for their tour of duty in Iraq to end, one military police officer from the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division can’t wait to get started. For Spc. Matthew Leininger, a Los Angeles native, this will be his second tour in Iraq, and he is already making plans to give back to the Iraqi people through an organization he started during his first tour in 2004, which provides supplies to the local people. The non-profit organization is Operation Iraqi Aid. “It is a relief organization started by the troops and run by the troops on a purely volunteer basis,” said Leininger, OIA founder. “After I had the idea, I talked to my commander at the time, Capt. Charles W. McPhail, B Company, 215th Forward Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 1st Cav. Div. He was very supportive and pro-active in aiding my needs to accomplish my goals. Pfc. Samantha Kennedy helped me too, along with Staff Sgt. Alexander Leshko. Kennedy was my biggest supporter. She is now a civilian living in Austin, Texas.” “[OIA] is a wonderful thing,” said Kennedy. “The people there are very grateful. It gives them an understanding that we are over there to truly help them.” The idea started when Leininger was quietly reflecting on the events he’d experienced over the past four months of his tour, and the things he had seen. “I had seen people scavenging through garbage dumps to find material to build a home out of,” said Leininger. “Some children were so starved and poor that they would run on 111 degree blacktop with no shoes on and not even be fazed. When they reached you, you could see their ribs poking out from the malnutrition. Children and women were crying because an improvised explosive device had just killed their loved ones. We are not the only ones being attacked in Iraq. This is truly like a third world country right now. They will not experience our level of com- fort for a long time, if ever.” The purpose of OIA is to provide poor and underprivileged adults and children of Iraq with much-needed supplies through donations from people all over the U.S. “In 2004, we handed out clothing, school supplies, toys and first aid equipment,” said Leininger. To help distribute the supplies, Leininger called on his battle buddies and troops from the civil affairs office of his unit to assist in personally delivering and handing out the goods. “We received over 10,000 pounds of supplies,” he said. “I remember the hard work that was put into it my first rotation. It was a sacrifice of very needed free time after the missions, but the look on the faces of the children made it worth my time. I will never forget that feeling. I want to feel that good about my time out there again. The Iraqi people have experienced a lot that we will never understand. They have watched loved ones killed and property destroyed for most of their lives. Pain and war is all that some of them know. Our charity and a caring disposition are a small part of the American dream that we can offer. At first, when we arrived, they were shy and nervous. You could see the fear in their eyes. By the time we left, they were cheering and singing and the children were smiling from ear to ear. It was a very moving experience.” Leininger said those who donated during the first OIA are already start- ing to donate for this rotation. Originally, people had learned about OIA from sosamerica.org, a Web site that continues to aid Leininger during his 2006-2007 tour and mission. Leininger hopes this tour in Iraq, which is scheduled to begin when he deploys at the end of October 2006 brings even more success to OIA efforts. He said he has received supplies and volunteer support. “Right now we have several Soldiers offering supplies before our deployment,” said Leininger. “Some of our leaders, including Capt. Allison Woods, rear det. commander, Special Troops Battalion, are also helping with storage space here and shipping once we get settled in our destination.” Kennedy said this year OIA would be more organized. Kennedy plans to assist Leininger again during this tour. “I work for a large construction company in Austin,” said Kennedy. The people here are very generous and said they are interested in helping [with donations].” Once the unit arrives in country, Leininger said it will take about two months to get OIA set up and ready to distribute the donated supplies. “The more volunteers, the faster it will happen,” said Leininger. “Sgt. John Keenan and Sgt. Raymond Begaye, military police officers, STB, have already volunteered to assist but all deployed Soldiers in the Cavalry are welcome to help.” “I want to help with OIA because Spc. Leininger is a friend of...
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Jul 05 2010, 03:32 AM
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