July 27, 1981 saw the birth of a beautiful baby boy. His
name is Sgt. Matthew Ryan Soper. Matthew was killed on June 6, 2007 while serving his second tour in Iraq.

He was the fifth
child born into a family that would have a total of eight children.
In a family that has this many children it is important to
each to find their own mark that sets them apart from the others. He found this
a difficult challenge in his early teenage years. Each challenge brought about
a new life lesson. These lessons began the maturing process. Though this process
seemed "ever so slow" to all of us, he had a plan with God to have it reach its
pinnacle here today. The maturation from teenager to young man has left its
mark with each of us these last few years. We watched him use his maturity for
the things that really mattered the most. The relationships he molded with his
family and friends are genuine and everlasting.
He was a beautiful human specimen to look at. He was tall, good-looking, dark hair and
amazing athletic skill. Athletics came very easy to him. He was a "natural"
athlete. No matter the sport, (football, baseball, basketball, skiing, golf) he
found he was easily in the upper tier of the guys he played with.
He was larger than life. He wanted to be extreme. Extreme in
all that he did. He did not get lost in a crowd. He was the life of the party.
He was "all that and a bucket of chicken" to his ladies. He was "Big Daddy" to
his nieces and nephews. He will forever be known as "Big Slick" to all of us.
The absolute joy and rib-aching laughter he brought into the
room will never be forgotten. The effortless nicknames that he conjured up
without even thinking before he said them will remain with us for all time.
Shanese, Big Swiss, Swiss Miss, Big Country, Jaybees, baby, Frizel my Nizel are
only but a few.The "corny" little "sayings of the week" were always quickly
duplicated by your siblings and friends.
The "Hrrrumph" with the upturned fist as he duplicated Big Swiss in
acknowledgment of something that he really liked, the "gooooooosh
daaaaaaaaarnit" in his rendition of Shanese's enthusiasm with just about
anything he said to her as he was picking on his beloved mother.
The hole that is left in our hearts are large. It will not
be easily closed. The gifts that you keep giving never cease to amaze us. Taking
care of your family, the stories of him taking care of your fellow soldiers,
the memories that he gave us will last a lifetime with family and friends, the
bringing home of your friends, Derek, Alicia, Jody, and John show us that he is
still giving. There are, undoubtedly, more gifts from him, as we are all
blessed to have been apart of you life.

During his time between the first tour and the second tour
it was easy for one to comment "you are lazy" - "get off the couch, stop
watching Bart Hawley and get a job, go to school, prepare yourself for your
future." Little did we know that you were masterfully, saving your strength to
do for your Country, your Army, and your unit all of the wonderful things you
did. The stories from your fellow soldiers are no less than absolutely
"INCREDIBLE" - "EXTREMELY INCREDIBLE". We have not spoke to one soldier, one
family member, one friend that feel that they could come close to executing
your natural intuition, ability, and skill in Iraq. You kept the troops loose
with their thoughts when the time called for it, you led by example without
fear for your life, and you executed one clean mission after another in an
effort to provide world wide peace to your unit, your Army, your family and
friends, and your fellow Americans. You are to be saluted, embraced, and
cherished in our hearts FOREVER……

Thank you Sgt. Matthew Ryan Soper for letting us be a part
of your life.