Iraq Soldier Home for the Holidays

Every year for the past two holiday seasons, Matt Hitchcock is reminded of how thankful he is to be home. The reason? Matt spent one year away from home serving our country in Iraq. He arrived back in the states two years ago just in time for Christmas.

In January, 2004, Matt contemplated his future. "I was feeling stagnant, I needed a change. I knew the military would benefit me in the future, and it gave me a sense of purpose", Matt stated. He and his best friend, who made the decision to join as well, spent thirteen weeks of basic training in Fort Jackson, South Carolina, mobilized and arrived in Iraq on November 6th, 2005.

Matt spent his time overseas being part of movement control detachment, or in other words, anything within the army needing to be organized. He monitored ground envoys, and watched satellite tracking systems. He also spent a great deal of his time doing intelligence briefings, informing soldiers where the enemy was attacking and calling in air support to soldiers who had been attacked or broken down in the desert. Matt reminisces, "That was the most stressful part of my job, knowing lives were in my hands and making sure assistance was there as quickly as possible. Every second counted."

As Matt recounts the first holiday season being back from Iraq, he stated, "The holidays came and went so fast while I was deployed. The military took the time to decorate the "chow hall" for Thanksgiving and Christmas which was great, but we had to eat and get back to work." Though thankful for the military's efforts of decorations and a Christmas meal, Matt stated, "You can't duplicate Christmas if you aren't at home with your family." His days spent there were full of long hours, usually putting in one hundred hours per week. "On Christmas morning I just woke up and went to work. We were operating at such a high tempo, we forgot it was Christmas. You can't take a break over there or someone will get hurt."

When asked if he was glad for the experience he had in Iraq he said, "Though it delayed my plan of getting through college and beginning my career as a history teacher and youth sports coach, it was worth it. You sacrifice in the beginning, but in the end you make a memory, some lifelong friends and, it made me a grateful and mature person."

Matt arrived home December 4th, 2006. "It was great to be home. All my family was together. It made us closer." He really looks forward to the little things not only during the holidays, but every day of the year; sleeping in his own bed, waking up knowing he can relax, and just being able to call his family and say hello.

Though Matt wishes to stay home from now on, planning on a masters in secondary education, coaching, and taking some time to hike and snowboard, he is ready to go if deployed again. "I have a duty to the other servicemen and women as well as to my country." To Matt, being home for the holidays takes on an extra special meaning; enjoying a Christmas with a great family that just can't be duplicated anywhere else in the world.

Thank You Matt Hitchcock for your heroism in service to our country. You are greatly appreciated.