Army Ranger from Nevada buried at Arlington National Cemetery

Posted 11:46PM on Monday 11th March 2002 ( 23 years ago )

ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA - Thirty Army Rangers snapped to attention when pallbearers carried Cpl. Matthew A. Commons' casket to his gravesite Monday as his grieving parents and brothers looked on. A reminder of what brought them to Arlington National Cemetery was in full view. Two yellow cranes hovered over the nearby Pentagon, damaged six months ago to the day in the deadly terror attacks that plunged the nation into war. Commons of Boulder City, Nev., was one of three Army Rangers who were buried with military honors Monday, a week after they died trying to rescue another U.S. soldier in Afghanistan. Commons, 21, was the youngest of seven servicemen killed March 4 during a mission designed to eliminate enemy fighters near Gardez in eastern Afghanistan. ``We honor his memory, touched by his honesty, patriotism and his love for God and fellow man,'' the Rev. Joseph Annese told more than 100 relatives, friends and comrades at a graveside service on a brilliant, cool afternoon. Commons, a high school honors student, dropped out of the University of Nevada, Reno in 2000, to join the Army and follow his father and grandfather into the military. His divorced parents now live in Virginia. Two separate memorials were held for Commons on Monday in Indianapolis and Boulder City, where more than 100 residents paid tribute to the slain serviceman by singing ``America the Beautiful'' during a city-sponsored candlelight ceremony and flag dedication. ``We're all very saddened by Matthew's death ... especially when it's one of your former kids,'' said Bill Garis, who was Commons' high school principal. ``I know Boulder City is very proud of Matthew. He represented Boulder City High School in a magnificent way.'' Another Nevadan, Jason A. Disney of Fallon, died last month at an air base near Kabul, Afghanistan. ``Matthew and Jason were our neighbors, and our friends,'' Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., said in a statement. ``Their sacrifice is humbling and is an example for us all.'' In separate funerals in two Florida cities, Spc. Marc A. Anderson, 30, of Brandon, Fla., and Sgt. Bradley Crose, 22, of Orange Park, Fla., also were praised as courageous soldiers who lived and died by the Ranger Creed never leave a fallen comrade behind. All three were members of the 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment at Hunter Army Airfield, Ga. In a service that was familiar yet haunting, three rounds of rifle volleys rang out and a bugler played taps. Commons' parents received folded flags from the casket. An officer read Commons' three posthumous awards the Bronze Star with valor, Purple Heart and meritorious service medals. He also received a promotion from private first class. Army chief of staff Gen. Eric Shinseki, Sen. John Warner, R-Va., and soldiers from Commons' unit paid their respects to Commons' parents and three brothers. The smallest, Thomas, clutched a teddy bear as he said farewell to his brother. When the service ended and the crowd departed, Commons' father Gregory knelt at the casket and prayed. Then the ex-Marine and Vietnam-era veteran rose to his feet and gave his son a final salute.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2002/3/197645