Military & Motorcycles – August 17, 2012

Published on August 17, 2012 under Born To Ride

Another Warrior Lost

On August 2, Sarah Sitton’s life changed forever. Her 26-year old husband SSgt. Matthew Sitton stepped on an IED (Improvised Explosive Device) while deployed in Afghanistan on his 3rd tour.

Matt had been was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.

Matt’s wife Sarah, along with their 9-month son Brodey and family members were present at MacDill Air Force Base when the ‘Angel Flight’ landed which was transporting Matt’s casket.

Prior to Friday, Sarah made a statement wherein she asked anyone interested was welcome to show support for Matt and the military.

Sarah said she wanted to be married on July 4th because of her love for this country and they were in 2009.

Matt was scheduled to return to the bay area in September of this year.

I would like to inject something personal into the column at this point. Those who serve to protect us, be they law enforcement, firefighters, first responders or military, their families wait patiently each day until their shift is over to welcome them home. The wives and families of these folks hope that ‘knock at the door’ never comes, however unfortunately sometimes it does.

Sitting just inside the gate of MacDill AFB were 50 Patriot Guard Riders and active duty military motorcycle riders waiting to escort Army SSgt. Matthew Sitton’s remains through Tampa, across the Howard Franklin Bridge up to Hubble Funeral Home in Belleair Bluffs.

During the escort, we passed thousands, not hundreds as reported in the mainstream press, of well-wishers, supporters of the military, friends and neighbors of the Sitton’s. From my vantage point, I am able to see what actually happens during one of these escorts—the small children holding signs, the grief and tears, the display of one of our most precious symbols, the America Flag.

SSgt. Sitton was awarded the following medals and badges during his short career:

Course and Advanced Leader’s Course

His awards include; the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal (one oak leaf cluster), Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal (w/one knot), National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal (w/Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Ribbon (w/the numeral two, NATO medal, Combat Action Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge and the Parachutist Badge.

I would like to again thank the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Tampa Police Office, Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, St. Petersburg Police Department, and Largo Police Department for making the escort possible.

The funeral service for SSgt. Sitton was held Saturday, August 11, 2012, at the First Baptist Church of Indian Rocks, Largo.

As always, The Patriot Guard Riders were “Standing For Those, Who Stood For US – It’s not about us, It’s about the men and women who we honor.”

God Bless America and all those who serve in uniform to protect us and our freedoms.

Stand down gallant soldier your tour is done.

Terry Longpre