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DEL.ICIO.USMathew Gibbs: ‘He is always in our hearts,’ family says
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Ambrose � The open flaps on the cardboard box stuck out like wings. Raegan Gibbs gazed down at the container. Inside were cookies, crackers and a neatly folded shirt atop a pair of blue jeans.
The package was for her husband. Spc. Mathew Gibbs was supposed to get a two-week leave from duty in Iraq next month, and he had asked his wife to send his favorite yellow-and-blue striped shirt. He wanted something nice to wear home.
The couple was going to celebrate their wedding anniversary and their youngest daughter’s fourth birthday. Also on Mathew’s list was a lunch date with his 5-year-old daughter at her elementary school.
But a pair of soldiers in dress uniforms showed up at Raegan’s door Thursday. Her husband had been killed Wednesday by an insurgent’s car bomb attack. On Aug. 28, the Georgia National Guard soldier would have turned 22.
Raegan had talked to him by telephone Wednesday morning. He sounded tired. “He used to always say, ‘Don’t worry about me, I have 60 other people watching my back. I’m more worried about you,’ ” Raegan, 25, recalled. “I told him that I loved him and to be careful and he said, ‘Always.’ “
Mathew wanted to become a science teacher when he got out of the 648th Engineer Battalion. She wants to be an English teacher. They would have their summers off with their children. And he wouldn’t have to return to his exhausting job at a mobile home manufacturing plant.
As Raegan picked through old photos of her husband, her daughter Ariana burst through the door, home from her first day of kindergarten. The 5-year-old plopped her pink camouflage backpack on the dining room table and fished out a crayon drawing. She had drawn herself in purple. Her grandmother, Lee Carver, was in green. A blue ant and a little boy completed the picture.
“That little boy is taking good care of the ant, and that is why he is so happy,” she said.
Ariana’s mother told her and her little sister, Arissa, about their father’s death on Thursday evening. On Friday, as the family sat in the living room and talked about Mathew, Ariana spotted tears welling up in her grandmother’s eyes. The little girl crawled into the rocking chair and told her not to worry.
“He is always in our hearts,” Ariana said, reassuringly.
The two rocked together slowly, hugging tightly in the still, soundless room.
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By jason troupe
August 6, 2005 04:07 PM | Link to this
THIS IS JASON TROUPE I’M A SOILDER IN THE 648th MATHEW GIBBS IS MY BEST FRIEND AND MY HEART GOES OUT TO RAE AND THE GIRLS.I WAS THERE THAT DAY.AND TO ALL THAT HAS SERVED CAN BARE WITNESS AS A SOILDER, IT IS NOT EASY TO LEAVE HOME AND GO TOO A FAR LAND,BUT GIBBS WAS A SOILDER WITH OUT FEAR ,ONE THAT MANY PEOPLE MISS SO VERY MUCH I WILL CARRY THAT DAY FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE AND THIS IS NOT EASY FOR A SOILDER WHO STILL HAS 9 MON. LEFT TO SERVE IN IRAQ. SO TOO RAE YOUR HUSBAND DID HIS VERY BEST ALL THE WAY TO THAT DAY ,THIS IS TROUPE YOU HAVE MY HEART AND LOVE ALWAYS
By spc bell
August 6, 2005 04:51 PM | Link to this
We will never forget our brother. He touched all our hearts. When times were at there worst, he made us laugh and smile. I am so sory for your loss.
By Peggy Hurd
August 6, 2005 06:41 PM | Link to this
Mrs. Martha is a dear lady and although I did not know Matthew personally, I felt as if I did. God Bless you and your family.
By joe atkinson
August 6, 2005 06:45 PM | Link to this
i live in douglas a few miles from mathews home. he worked at fleetwood alma,ga, we met there and became good friends, he was well liked and new how to make life easier day by day with his humor, kept everyone laughing, he often talked about going to iraq, and how he was ready to go serve his country, he talked frequently how much he loved his family, loved to deer hunt when time was avalible. we got the news at the mobile home manufactoring plant friday, everyone was saddened to hear the news, although he had to leave after working less than a yr with workers in the plant he was a great inspiration on how to make people smile. he visited the plant after training in california and was to leave out shortly for iraq, i told him to be careful and to write if he had the time, fellow workers had sent mathew some gifts just 3 days before we heard of his death, i think all that knew mathew will always have a place in their heart for him, and will be a memeorie not long forgotten. joe atkinson
By Cathy Nance
August 6, 2005 08:56 PM | Link to this
I have been a friend of the Gibbs Family for over 15 years. My Girls grew up with Mathew, his sister and brother. They had classes together, went to parties together and I also helped teach PE at West Green Elementary School. Mathew was always trying to do something funny to get the class giggling and sometimes even I was rolling in the floor. I’m VERY PROUD to have known Mathew. Jenny you know we love you and Carroll very much. To Rae and the girls or prayers are with you. To Sarah and Derrick always remember we are all here if you need us for anything.
Ronnie and Cathy Nance
By Melissa Gilliard
August 6, 2005 09:22 PM | Link to this
I am Cam Pate’s sister, he was the 4th person in the Humvee. Our family is very blessed that he made it through & our prayers go out to Mathew’s family. I know Cam thought the world of Mathew & will miss him very much!!
By sherri
August 7, 2005 12:43 AM | Link to this
Rae,Ari@Rissi, I’m so sorry about Mathew,everyone that knew him loved him. He had a way of lighting up a room,he could always make me laugh. I know that the girls are so young right now there are things that they won’t remember but I hope they realize how much the two of you loved each other.Mathew loved all of you so much, and it showed in his eyes when he looked at you.He was such a great guy and he loved your whole family,Brent was his little brother and leigh and Ronnie were another set of parents that he loved and respected.I have known you for several years and I’ve seen you grow up and mature not just physcially but spiritually as well. Please don’t loose your faith right now I know that was just one of the things you and Mathew shared, he loved that about you and I know he wants that for “his girls”.Remember that he left this world a hero and all of you will have a special gaurdian angel looking over you with a lot of love!!!!! God Bless all of you I Love You!!! sherri
By Burt and Martha Ivey
August 7, 2005 10:24 AM | Link to this
Rae and girls, We loved Mathew like he was our brother. He was Burt’s very best friend and always a welcome visitor in our home. We will always remember him; his crazy antics, his love of his family and friends and his huge heart. Burt was so looking forward for his being home on leave next month. He had made it very plain that he was taking some vacation days then so the two of them could go fishing. We’ll always remember him with love and pride. He was always special in our eyes, a real hero. If there’s anything we can do to help you in any way please let us know. Love, Burt and Martha Ivey
By bart medders
August 7, 2005 03:15 PM | Link to this
my name is bart medders. i don’t know where to start! me and mathew were best friends growing up in the small community of huffer, ga. we went to school together, pulled pranks on the bus rides to and from school, and met each other at the creak between our houses practically everyday. there is not a bigger heart anywhere in this world as those that knew matt could tell u. rae, my heart truly goes out to u and the girls. sarah, derrick, Mrs.martha meeks, jeanie and carol please stay strong!! this is the biggest tradgedy i can think of for the lone hill family! my prayers and condolences!
bart
By JOSH ANDERSON
August 9, 2005 01:25 PM | Link to this
Hello my name Josh Anderson I went to school with Mathew for many years, I work with him at little caears pizza he was a friend that anyone would want I’m sure glad GOD gave me the opportunity to have a friend like Mathew I want to sent my regards to Rae, the children and his family, just remember he mybe gone in person but we got a lifetime of memories to remember. Thank you Mathew for being my friend and I know you can hear me when I say we will meet again another day but until then I Love You and i’ll never forget you. P.S RAE IF YOU NEED ANYTHING YOU KNOW HOW TO GET IN TOUCH!
By Nathan Curtis
August 12, 2005 03:38 PM | Link to this
I, like josh anderson, went to school, and worked with mathew at little caesars. We spent every Sunday morning and Wednesday evenings at church together. The loss of Mat leaves a void in my life that will never be filled. I learned alot of things from Mat, how to make pizza, how to sneak out windows, how to talk your way out of trouble. But the one thing i learned from Mat that will stick with me until the day i see him again, is what it takes to be a real man. To his wife, Rae Gibbs, and his two daughters, Ariana and Arissa, thank you for blessing Mathew’s life with a happiness so few can ever find. To Derrick and Brent, you were his little brothers and he loved you like only a big brother can. Sarah, never forget Mat’s words in his telephone message. God bless all of you. He is missed with all of our sorrow and memory filled hearts.
By Catherine Burnam
August 13, 2005 02:06 PM | Link to this
Matthew was in my eighth grade history class at East Coffee Middle School. His antics kept the class in stitches on a daily basis. It was hard to fuss at him, since he had such a good nature and love for fun. My heart goes out to his family and close friends, especially Sarah. Love from Mrs. B.
By Michael Castagna
August 15, 2005 02:18 PM | Link to this
Concerning the living coditions that differ from one base to another. It doesnt matter. What matters is these troops want to be supported back home and when they come home they want to be loved.
Mike
By Jessica Bonesteel
August 18, 2005 10:33 AM | Link to this
I am Cam Pate’s Ex Girlfriend and was with him in San Antonio for a short while. He and Matthew were very close and Camden does miss him very much. All he can talk about is how much he wishes he was with “his buddies”. I have met matthew many times and he always was counted on to bring a smile to everyone’s faces. He will be loved and remembered. God Bless the 648th. You are in all of our hearts.