Matty Pierce

My name is Carleen and I am the retired, widowed mother of 3 adult children. My oldest Matthew was in an accident on Tuesday, December 3, 2019. This accident happened while he performed a job in which he loves- serving our Country.

 
My son joined the United States Marine Corps in January of 2000 as a tribute to his father who died a couple years prior but was most proud of his military service. He graduated from MCRD Parris Island in April 2000 and then attended Military Police school and Military Police Canine school before arriving at his first duty station MCAS Miramar. While stationed at Miramar, the bombings of Sept 11th occurred and he was on one of the first planes over to Afghanistan. Matt did three combat tours in Afghanistan as an Explosive Detection dog Handler searching for roadside bombs (IED’s). After his last combat tour in 2004 he changed jobs and became an EOD Tech. Explosive Ordnance Disposal or EOD for short are the military men and women responsible for disarming all the IED’s found. Matthew was an EOD tech for 8 years completing another four combat tours. This time he spent two in Iraq(Fallujah and Ramadi) and two in Afghanistan (Sangin and Kabul). Matt was injured in a roadside blast in 2012 which ended his military career. In total he served just over 12 years of active service, completed 7 combat tours where he disarmed over 700 IED’s and attained the rank of Gunnery Sergeant before he was honorably discharged in 2012. Matt is still a government dog handler and a reminder of the many sacrifices the brave men and women of the military make on behalf of American freedom and safety!

After being honorably discharged my son transitioned to training and educating law enforcement and military personnel. Matthew loved being able to save lives by training them in the advanced techniques that he had learned throughout his military career. Unfortunately, while preparing for a training exercise last week an accident took place that has left him with 2nd and 3rd degree burns on his face, arms, and torso as well as multiple fractures. After his second surgery to save his right arm the doctors are still unsure if he will ever make a full recovery. He remains in the ICU Burn Trauma Unit.

While my family asks for continued prayers that the many surgeries he has ahead are successful and that we can keep him infection free we are now also asking for help. Matthew is the father of 3 children and to make sure that they need for nothing while he battles down this long road ahead is his biggest concern. If you could find it in your hearts to either make a donation or share this with your friends it would be greatly appreciated. I understand it’s the holidays but anything donated will go directly to his children or to his medical bills and long term care. Thank You for taking the time to read this. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

 

The Pierce Family