For the third time in a short while, Good Shepherd Catholic Church held services to lay to rest yet another victim of the recent wave of terrorism.
Last year they held services for Steven Jacoby and Gary Smith, victims of the Sept. 11 attack. On Monday, March 11, exactly six months after the attack, a Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated for Matthew Allen Commons, son of Greg Commons and Patricia Marek. Matthew Commons was killed March 4, during his tour as an Army Ranger, during a helicopter mission in Afghanistan.
The first reading was done by Greg’s brother, Tom Commons. It was Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, which reads in part, "A time to laugh, a time to cry. A time for death, a time for living. A time for war, a time for peace..."
PFC Joe Burkhardt, a fellow Ranger, served as the liaison from the army. Burkhardt read the second reading, which spoke of being "baptized until death" and the "newness of life."
In his homily, the Rev. Joe Annese of St. Andrews Catholic Community in Nevada said, "There are no human words that will chase away our sorrow. No song to assuage our pain. No poetry to satisfy our peace."
Yet, in reflecting on the reading by Ecclesiastes, he said, "These are the words that help us find meaning." He ended his homily, telling the congregation that Matthew is now in a place where he is loved.
<b>Burial at Arlington</b>
<bt>Many said their good-byes to Matthew Commons at Good Shepherd, but a large contingent continued on with the family to Arlington National Cemetery for the Army Ranger’s burial service.
More than 100 cars proceeded down the Parkway, through Old Town and into Arlington. All traffic was halted on Alexandria streets and surrounding access roads, including those from National Airport.
At the graveside service, it was said that Matthew was "known for honesty, patriotism and love of God and Man.… His dedication and duty fulfills the Ranger creed." Matthew’s family was presented with a Purple Heart, a Bronze Star for valor and a Meritorious Service Medal, awarded to their son posthumously. He was also honored by being awarded with a promotion to corporal prior to the service.
A baby’s cry broke the stillness at the cemetery, a reminder that there is indeed "A time for death, a time for living."
<b>Prayers and Vigil</b>
<bc>The burial was one of the last public events in a long stream of appearances that Matthew’s family made during the past week, including television shows and prayer services. They returned to Good Shepherd for a reception where all of Matthew’s awards were displayed.
The prayer service held at the same church that evening had many of Matthew’s friends and fellow Rangers in attendance. At the prayer service, Matthew was remembered as a person who enjoyed life and liked to have fun.
With a relatively brief time frame to bring everybody together, the Commons family had many people to thank. Greg Commons said that Burkhardt was instrumental in helping with leave and travel arrangements, so that many of Matthew’s friends could come to the area to pay their respects. At a candlelight tribute held the evening of the burial, Burkhardt said that he was honored to serve as the liaison, but saddened as well.
Over a hundred people assembled Monday night for a short candlelight vigil on the stone bridge which crosses the George Washington Memorial Parkway. Greg thanked everybody for their support and Diane Frazier led the group in "God Bless America." Many left with their candles still light, while several others left their lighted candles behind on the bridge, lighting up the darkness.
A Matthew A. Commons scholarship fund has been established at his old high school. Contributions can be sent to: St. Andrews Catholic Community, 1399 San Felipe Dr., Boulder City, Nev., 89005, Attn: Father Joseph P. Annese.