As all of us know, not all courage is found on the battlefield. Hope you’re not sitting in a dusty room or on a sandy beach. You stand a chance of getting some in your eye. Matt first enlisted in the U.S. Army in August of 1999 and has been an active member of the U.S. Army Reserves having also served in combat in Iraq in 2003. He joined the Army ROTC program at Jacksonville State University in 2007, and received an overall “Excellence” rating at the Leaders Development and Assessment Course (LDAC) in 2009, and was in his senior year when he was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma (Bone Cancer). Not letting that slow him down, Matt completed all of his military science and academic coursework and requirements for commissioning, to include APFTs, while undergoing chemo-therapy in 2010. His dream was to become an officer and he comes from great stock: “He has always gone above and beyond everything he has done,” said Blount’s brother, A.J. “He has always been the 110 percent type where if you are going to do something you should do it right the first time. That was always his mentality in life – always take the right road versus the easy road. When he would do something, even if it took a long time, he would do it right rather than cut corners or cheat the system in any way.” Matt comes from a military family. He has two retired command sergeant majors between his father and uncle. He also has another uncle who retired from the military as well. His two brothers, A.J. and David, have served as well. Matt, too, had plans to be commissioned into Army as an officer after ROTC. “It was pretty much what his goal was when he joined the ROTC,” said A.J. And pursue it he did. Until he finally was so weakened he was no longer medically qualified for ROTC. He was subsequently medically disqualified and disenrolled from ROTC. But that’s not the end of the story. An ROTC instructor at Jacksonville State University took it upon himself to help the young man attain his dream. LTC Gary Morea, professor of Military Science at Jacksonville State University, was impressed by Blount’s accomplishments. Matt went on to graduate from Jacksonville State University on April 29, 2011, as Magna *** Laude with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice. “The more I dug into this young man’s file, the more impressed I was with his accomplishments,” said Morea. “He simply excelled at everything he undertook and was well regarded by his peers.” So Morea, knowing that Blount didn’t have long to live, worked very hard to find a way to commission him before he died. “I discussed his case with the U.S. Army Reserves Accessions Branch on March 6 and received their endorsement of his direct commission in the USAR,” said Morea. On March 7, Matt sat up in his bed that was placed by the sliding glass door so he could get a view of outside. He was helped into his uniform one last time. Surrounded by friends and family, Matt’s brother, A.J., [who is also a 2LT] administered the oath of office. Tears flowed as Matt signed the paperwork, then looked to see his father saluting him bedside. It was a bittersweet moment, and one that had been a long time coming. Matt passed away on March 10th surrounded by his family, his dream fulfilled. Matt gave most of the credit for seeing his goal fulfilled to his wife, Melinda: At any time after he found out about his diagnosis, Matt could have quit. He could have easily stopped learning, testing and working, but he kept going. He said that was because of a passion that is kept lit by his wife, Melinda Blount. “It was because of my dedication to my wife that I set my goal and kept going,” said Matt. “I could not have done it without her. She is my biggest supporter and advocate all the way through.” God’s blessings, Melinda. God speed LT Blount. And thank you, LTC Morea. ~McQ Twitter: @McQandO
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Mar 14 2012, 01:05 AM
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