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.