Honorable finish indeed.

Here is something I found today. Just a forewarning, this will tug at the heart.

A long illness claimed the life of 2nd Lt. Matt Blount Saturday. The Jacksonville man, diagnosed with cancer, had fought long to become a commissioned officer in the United States Army Reserve, which had become difficult because of his condition. Surrounded by loved ones at his home on Wednesday, he was sworn in and signed his oath, completing his lifelong dream.

You know what? When people talk about why people in the military are respected. That when faced with a truly implacable opponent how would one reaction. For 2nd Lt. Matt Blount the answer was clear.

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.

Take a few minutes to that that truly sink in. That he was doing physical training when there was every reason not to. This is important considering when a portion of the military that abuses sick call to avoid PT. If he is able to do this, we are capable of pushing yourself further. Something to think about.

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.”

Very true words, I know that everything I have done and been able to do is because of the love and support from my better half.

Most of this has been covered by our friends over at Blackfive.

But there is one thing that I wanted to talk about why people want to imitate people like 2nd Lt. Matt Blount. Imitators like Daron Soard. Just like 2nd Lt. Matt Blount both wear 173rd as a combat patch. Unlike Daron Soard 2nd Lt. Matt Blount earned a combat patch from the 173rd. I cannot tell what his current unit is due to the ASU not having a a patch for the current unit. But I am willing to go out on a limb that he was in the unit. Oh and did I mention that 2nd Lt. Matt Blount has a CMB? Oh and unlike Daron Soard, 2nd Lt. Matt Blount’s diagnosis is not suspect.

When it comes right down to it, it is how we handle adversity that defines who we are. Even though his body was not able to fight off the cancer, it a victory because he achieved his dream. That is something that the poser will never understand. EVER.

Category: Blue Skies, Real Soldiers