[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 129 (Wednesday, September 10, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Page S5468]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES


                   Lance Corporal Matthias N. Hanson

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I rise to mourn the loss of a U.S. 
marine and a Kentuckian from the hometown of Abraham Lincoln. LCpl 
Matthias N. Hanson hailed from Lincoln's birthplace of Hodgenville, KY, 
and was killed on February 21, 2010, of wounds suffered as a result of 
conducting combat operations in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. He was 
20 years old.
  For his service in uniform, Lance Corporal Hanson received several 
awards, medals, and decorations, including the National Defense Service 
Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Purple Heart.
  ``Matt's our hero because of how he lived,'' says the Reverend Norm 
Brock, who spoke at Matt's memorial service. ``Matt didn't miss life. 
He lived life.''
  Service was a proud tradition in Matt's family. His father Lowell R. 
Hanson, Jr., served in the Army. One of Matt's brothers is currently 
Active Duty Army, while the other is in the Army Reserve. Matt himself 
was born in Germany on a military base. As Mary Huff, Matt's mom, puts 
it: Matt ``had to go rogue and join the Marines.''
  Matt had a strong work ethic in high school says his father Lowell:

       He used to get up at 4:00 in the morning to milk cows on a 
     nearby farm, then go to school, then onto football practice, 
     and back to work on the farm. Other people noticed and were 
     impressed by his work ethic, and I was proud of him. He was 
     determined that when he got old enough, he would join the 
     Marines and serve his country.

  Growing up, Matt was known for his blue eyes and sneaky smile, and he 
had a way of talking himself out of anything.
  He had an easygoing manner and a lust for life. ``He was quiet, a 
trickster and a charmer,'' says his mother. But ultimately, he was a 
country boy who wanted to do right by his country. Matt was a country 
music fan who particularly liked the song ``Way Out Here'' by Josh 
Thompson. He was ``funny, energetic, really outgoing,'' says family 
friend Emily Johnson. ``He could make anyone laugh. He had the 
brightest blue eyes ever. That's what we'll remember him as.''
  Matt graduated from LaRue County High School in Hodgenville, where he 
was a member of the football team and the Student Technology 
Association. Next to his picture in the school yearbook he put the 
following quote: ``Life moves pretty fast. If you don't look around and 
pay attention, you could miss it.''
  Soon after graduation he enlisted in the Marine Corps in the spring 
of 2008. ``He was very proud of what he had done when he signed up to 
go to the Marines,'' remembers LaRue County High School football coach 
and assistant principal Rodney Armes. ``He got his hair cut short and 
he was a Marine from the day he signed up.''
  Matt was trained as a rifleman and assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 6th 
Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force 
based in Camp Lejenue, NC. He was deployed to Afghanistan in support of 
Operation Enduring Freedom in January of 2010. Matt played a key role 
in a crucial multiday battle in Afghanistan just days before his death 
in mid-February 2010. Matt's platoon came under fire from Taliban 
forces in the town of Marjah. Matt walked up, under air cover, to the 
fortified bunker where the enemy fire was coming from and fired a 
grenade launcher into the bunker with great poise and accuracy, killing 
the enemy forces. ``The battle was over,'' said Matt's father, thanks 
to his bravery. ``He played a critical role,'' says Capt. Gordon 
Emmanuel, Matt's platoon commander. ``Anytime he shot he was on impact. 
Marines were cheering with his shots.''
  Matt's father was told by Matt's platoon sergeant and by Captain 
Emmanuel that Camp Hanson, once the biggest U.S. position in Marjah and 
well known to any Marine who has served in the area, was established at 
that site in Matt's honor because of his actions.
  ``The last time I saw [Matt] was on Christmas Eve 2009,'' said Matt's 
father. ``He hugged me around the neck and said: Daddy, don't worry 
about me. Everybody dies. Not everybody has Jesus. Not everybody gets 
to be a Marine.''
  We are thinking of Matt's family as I recount his life for my Senate 
colleagues today. They include Matt's mother and stepfather Mary and 
Larry Huff; his father and stepmother Lowell R. Hanson, Jr., and 
Cynthia Hanson; his siblings Megan, Samantha, Erika, Lowell, and 
Brendan; his grandparents; and many other beloved family members and 
friends.
  Matt was buried with full military honors in Hodgenville. The town 
that is the birthplace of one of America's greatest patriots, Abraham 
Lincoln, is also a fitting resting place for this brave young man and 
Marine. The Commonwealth of Kentucky will never forget the life and 
service of LCpl Matthias N. Hanson or his ultimate sacrifice given 
freely to his country. It is thanks to men like him that our Nation is 
free.
  I yield the floor.

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