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IED Blast Kills Soldier on Patrol

SETAF platoon loses its ‘Sunshine’ in Afghanistan

Memorial service for 17th soldier from unit killed this year

By Kent Harris, Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Wednesday, November 30, 2005


 



Cpl. Matthew Steyart, 21, aspired to attend Ranger school. He was killed by a roadside bomb Nov. 22 in Afghanistan.
 

VICENZA, Italy — The people gathered in the chapel at Caserma Ederle were told to think of Cpl. Matthew Steyart fishing from a small boat on a cold mountain lake — maybe something similar to the one on the cover of the program for Steyart’s memorial service.

The American military community gathered Tuesday to mourn the 17th soldier from the Southern European Task Force (Airborne) killed in Afghanistan this year.

“If you are like me, after each memorial service, you pray that this community has seen its last fallen soldier,” said Capt. John McDougall in the commander’s comment section of the service.

Steyart, 21, grew up around Mount Shasta in northern California and was an avid outdoorsman, McDougall said. He loved to hunt and fish with his father.

Steyart, nicknamed “Sunshine” by his platoon, was killed by a roadside bomb Nov. 22 while on a mission.

Staff Sgt. Joseph Pier said Steyart was performing as he always did: committed and with a positive attitude.

“He showed to his leaders that he had what it took to accomplish the mission in Afghanistan,” Pier said.

Steyart joined 1st Platoon, Company B, 1st Battalion, 508th Infantry Regiment shortly after the unit returned from a year’s service in Iraq. He distinguished himself at military training areas in Hohenfels and Grafenwöhr in Germany, Pier said. He also helped his platoon win the first Red Devil Challenge, a battalion competition.

Pier said the platoon was taking the loss hard.

“You get to know people that you share a room with, that you sit down to a meal with, that you sit down in a vehicle with, pulling 360-degree security,” he said.

Steyart, who aspired to attend Ranger school after the unit returned to Vicenza, was always there for his platoon mates, Pier said.

“He would never let a comrade go without a smile,” he said.

Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Doug Hudson said Steyart went to Afghanistan carrying the same copy of the Scriptures that his grandfather had during World War II.

Steyart is being recommended for the Bronze Star Medal. He is survived by his mother, Nancy; sisters Denise Lloyd and Cathy Tuggle; and brother Robert.