NORTH PROVIDENCE, RI, USA
U.S. Marines
LCPL, C CO, 1ST BN, 5TH MAR, 1ST MAR DIV, CAMP PENDLETON, CA
AL ANBAR PROVINCE, IRAQ 04/05/2004
Providence knew him as a man that excelled in team sports. His chose the Marines because of it. He provided the ultimate sacrifice defending it. “He had a job to do and he did it.”
Marine Lance Cpt Matthew K. Serio, 21, of North Providence, R.I.; assigned to 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.; died on April 5, 2004, of hostile fire in Anbar province, Iraq.
Matthew’s unit was one of the first into Iraq at the start of the war. Photos he sent home show him standing with his company atop the ruins of one of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein’s Baghdad palaces. He brought Iraqi cigarettes home as gifts. He told funny stories about combat, ruined cities and life as a soldier.
“He was always good to have around. He was always upbeat and could get along with anybody,”
A 2002 graduate of North Providence High School, he was a 4 year varsity football player, a member of the golf team and a trumpet player for the school’s band. He was considering a career in law enforcement.
He took his oath to become a Marines right out of high school and entered boot camp in September of 2001 right after the WTC attack on 9/11. He watched the terrorist attacks while a recruit in Camp Pendleton. “The attacks didn’t deter him from service. He was a true patriot.”
Matt is survived by Anthony J. and Sharon M. (Boudah) Serio; Sr. Brother of 3rd Class Petty Officer Anthony J. Serio, Jr., U.S.N. and Christopher J. Serio; Paternal grandparents Leborio and Mary (Baldasaro) Serio; and Maternal grandparents Kenneth and Julie (Kowal) Boudah.
Matt’s zeal for life knew no limits and now with the “MATTHEW K. SERIO FOOTBALL SCHOLARSHIP FUND” some young patriots can continue to enjoy the team sport he loved so much.
Comments