Marine Lance Cpl. Matthew A. Snyder

Remember Our Heroes

Marine Lance Cpl. Matthew A. Snyder, 20, of Finksburg, Maryland.

Lance Cpl. Snyder died from a non combat-related vehicle accident in Al Anbar province, Iraq. He was assigned to Combat Service Support Group-1, 1st Marine Logistics Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, California. Died on March 3, 2006.

By MICHELE CANTY
Daily Record/Sunday News
Tuesday, March 7, 2006

When Lance Cpl. Matthew A. Snyder was 9 years old, he told his dad he wanted to be a soldier.
His father, Albert Snyder, was amused that his son had made career plans so early in life, but he hoped Matthew would grow out of it.

He didn't.

After graduating from Westminster High School in Maryland, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 2003. He had a few duty assignments, then moved to a base in Twentynine Palms, Calif., before being deployed to the Al Anbar province in Iraq earlier this year.

On Friday, the 20-year-old was killed in a Humvee crash after less than four weeks in Iraq with his unit, the Combat Service Support Group-1, 1st Marine Logistics Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force.

For Matthew's father, who doesn't believe the United States should have troops in Iraq, it's the ultimate price for a war he doesn't agree with.

"It just seems like a dream. I keep hoping to wake up tomorrow and none of this would be happening," said Snyder, a Springettsbury Township resident. “I’ve cried so much in the last three days, I don’t think I have any tears left.”

As of this week, more than 2,300 U.S. soldiers have died while serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom, according to Associated Press statistics.

His son accepted his Iraq assignment, and was not afraid, Snyder said. Matthew’s job in the military involved repairing generators and computers.

He calls Matthew a hero, and said, “I couldn’t have asked for a better son.”

Matthew would’ve turned 21 in July. He liked to fish and roller blade. He loved playing soccer. He wasn’t sure if he was going to make the military his career, but he enjoyed his years as a Marine, his father said.

Snyder doesn’t have much information on the crash that killed his son. From what he’s been told by military officials, Matthew was in the top of a Humvee that rolled over, killing him. They told Snyder that they plan to investigate the crash, but could not tell him how long it would take.

He’d like an independent investigation of his son’s death done. Monday, Snyder talked to U.S. Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa., about his son’s death. Snyder said Murtha told him to take care of things with his family, including his son’s funeral, then to call him back.

Matthew’s older sister, Sarah Snyder, 22, lives in Hanover. His younger sister, Tracie Synder, 18, lives in Springettsbury Township with their father. His mother lives in Finksburg, Md. The family plans a service for Matthew on Friday.

In the meantime, his family is waiting for his body to arrive from Dover, Del., and for answers, Snyder said.

“How many parents have to go through what me and my ex-wife are going through?” Snyder said. “What is it going to take for people to say, ‘enough?’”

Matthew Snyder, of Finksburg, Maryland, died from a non combat-related vehicle accident in Al Anbar province, Iraq. He was assigned to Combat Service Support Group-1, 1st Marine Logistics Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, California. Died on March 3, 2006. Matthew was 20 years old.

Matthew graduated from Westminster High School in 2003. After graduation, he enlisted in the Marines on October 14, 2003, and was stationed at Camp Lejeune, N.C. In August of 2004, Matthew was assigned to Combat Logistics Batallion-7, Twentynine Palms, Calif. as a generator mechanic.

"He was a hero and he was the love of my life." - Albert Snyder, Matthew's Father

The family of Lance Corporal Matthew Snyder, US Marine Corps, has begun this civil lawsuit* against Mr. Phelps and certain members of the so-called Westboro Baptist Church to bring an end to the reign of terror and abuse that they inflicted upon the grieving families of US service members killed in defense of our nation. Using innocent children to deliver their twisted message of hatred and fear, the defendants in this suit have sought to attack the memory of our departed heroes, to strip their loved ones of their dignity, and to use abuse and intimidation as a tool for preventing surviving family members from reaching closure over their loss.

It is the sincere hope of Mr. Al Snyder, Matthew’s father, that this suit will spark similar legal actions against Mr. Phelps wherever he seeks to inflict harm upon the memory of our heroes and their families. If you feel strongly that such actions should be stopped, please consider a donation to help offset the legal expenses of bringing this suit.

*This is a private civil lawsuit that is separate from any actions being pursued by states or the federal government against Mr. Phelps. While those cases involve Government action and potential 1st Amendment issues, this case is distinct. This case simply alleges that one does not have the right to conspire to use lies in order to inflict intentional harm upon persons who are grieving the death of their children.

http://www.matthewsnyder.org/

Marine Lance Cpl. Matthew A. Snyder was killed on 03/03/06.