Friends,

I come to you today with a heavy heart.  I got a call last night that a friend of mine was killed in Basra, Iraq on Monday.  His name was Matt Vandergrift.  He was one of my little brother's best friends since childhood and a close friend of the family.  Matt was killed by an IED that hit the hummer he was riding in.

You always hear about the war and casualties that are occurring everyday in the Middle East; however, the reality of what is happening on the other side of the world doesn't truly register until it hits close to home.  Regardless of your political affiliations, the fact still remains that there are men and women who are sacrificing their lives on a daily basis in service of our country.  I offer my deepest and sincerest gratitude and appreciation to our soldiers.  

Matt was one of the nicest guys you'd ever meet and a damn fine soldier.  I will always remember Matt as the tall goofy kid that always had a smile on his face.  Matt and my brother were always getting into something as kids.  I feel honored to have known him and to see his growth and maturation from a kid to an amazing and outstanding man.  Matt you will always be remembered.  Thank you for your selfless sacrifice and for being a part of my family.  My prayers and thoughts go out to the Vandergrift family in their time of loss.

God bless,

Eric Brendan