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West Frankfort family mourns son killed in Iraq

BY BECKY MALKOVICH, THE SOUTHERN

Thursday, August 31, 2006 6:29 AM CDT

WEST FRANKFORT - Sgt. Matthew J. Vosbein dreamed all his young life of being a soldier in the U.S. Army.

"That's all he ever wanted to be," said his mother, Anna Williams. "He grew up, joined the Army and he became a sergeant in under two years. Not too many people can live their dreams, but Matthew did."

Those dreams died when Vosbein, on his second tour of duty in Iraq with the 101st Airborne Division, 502nd Infantry Regiment, was killed at age 30 in a roadside bombing, his mother said.

"He died doing what he loved," said Williams, who learned of her son's death earlier this week. "He could have been done after his first tour, but he wanted to go back. It was his choice. He said he wanted to go back for the freedom of the Iraqi children."

Children were important to Vosbein; he leaves behind two sons and a stepson who, along with his wife, were the light of his life, Williams said.

"When he went over the first time, all the children were scared of the soldiers. They took it upon themselves to do things for the children in their down time. They built swing sets and played with the kids so they would realize the U.S. soldiers were there to help them, not hurt them," she said. "When he had the chance to go back again, he wanted to. He wanted to finish what he started for the kids, so they wouldn't have to live under the oppression any more. He had such a good heart. He was the type who would stop and help anyone whether he knew them or not."

Vosbein, the son of Williams and her husband Gene, and Tim and Amy Lingle, lived and attended school in West Frankfort until he was 10, when the Williams family moved to Louisiana. He made frequent visits back to the Franklin County city to visit relatives, including his mother and Gene Williams, who had moved back to West Frankfort after 20 years.

Vosbein was corps commander of his ROTC unit when he was in school, his mother said, and also served in law enforcement in Jefferson Parrish, La.

He was killed, Williams said, as he was walking alongside a truck, just a few weeks before he was scheduled to return to the states. Because of the extent of his injuries, she said, Army officials told her Vosbein may not make his final trip home for 10 to 14 days.

Funeral arrangements are pending, but Williams said her son would be buried in his native city.

"He got his orders and was supposed to come home sometime between Sept. 16 and 26," she said. "For those who have children or loved ones serving in Iraq, send them more letters and care packages. Let them know how much they are loved. You may not get another chance."

 

beckym@onecliq.net

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