Highway named for La. Marine who died in Afghanistan

IOTA — On June 9, 2011, Cpl. Matthew Richard was on a combat operation in Afghanistan’s Helmund Province when he moved his team to safety as he investigated an improvised explosive device.
The IED blew up killing the 21-year-old Marine from Iota.
His parents, Jeff and Alicia, were notified of Matthew’s death at 5:45 a.m. the next day at their home south of Iota.
“We didn’t know what to do,” Jeff said after the four-man team informed them of their son’s death.
In the intervening 10 years the Richard’s have managed their grief and turned each year into remembering their son and honoring his service to the nation.
“Our one and only worry is that Matthew will be forgotten,” states a page on the Corporal Matthew Richard Memorial Foundation website — www.cplmatthewrichard.org.
The site states:
“The Cpl. Matthew Richard Memorial Foundation is formed in an effort to ensure that the sacrifices made by Cpl. Matthew Richard, USMC and all who serve our country with pride: past, present and future — are never forgotten. Matthew often reflected the characteristics of love, compassion, respect and self-discipline in all that he did and with all whom he met. Matthew gave his life demonstrating these very same characteristics as he protected his brothers in Afghanistan. Matthew’s sacrifice represents the same sacrifice thousands of men and women who serve must endure. It is our intention to continue Matthew’s legacy through the mission of this foundation.”
Since Matthew’s death the Richards have held an annual 5K Memorial Walk/Run at Iota. The event held the last weekend in April serves as a fundraiser and reunion, particularly for Marines who served with Matthew.
Alicia estimates about $170,000 has been raised with most of the money helping organizations that assist veterans. Each year a $1,000 scholarship is given to an Iota High School graduate. The foundation also assists with community projects such the building of a community pavilion in Iota. They hold a gumbo for veterans on Veterans Day and Jeff hangs about 140 flags on holidays.
The Richards praise the Iota community for its support.
“We live in a place where we are very patriotic. You know your smaller towns are patriotic. I think that struck them...” Alicia said of Matthew’s combat death.
Jeff and Alicia grew up in Eunice, so they are comfortable with small town living. Jeff is an electrical engineer and writes software. Alicia is an elementary school teacher. They have two other children, Josh, a freelance graphic and social media designer, and Laura, a register nurse.
“He was part of the community’s loss,” she said of Matthew.
Jeff said, “It is really a terrible thing that happened, but it couldn’t have happened in a better place” referring to the outpouring of support.
After they learned of Matthew’s death and the notification team departed, they went to their parents’ to inform them. When they returned home people had arrived to help and support them.
The Richards traveled to Dover Air Force Base where Mathew’s body was returned. He was killed on a Thursday morning and by Saturday night his body was at Dover. The Richards returned home, Matthew’s body followed with a military flight to the Eunice Airport. A caravan escorted the Richards to the airport and back to Iota where the funeral was held a week after he was killed.
“All the emotions are still there,” they said in an interview at their home last week.
They are succeeding in keeping their son’s memory alive in a public way. For instance, a portion of La. 91, the highway that is in front of their house, is the “Corporal Matthew Richard Memorial Highway.”
The memorial designation was launched by Collin Steen, then an eighth grade student in Iota, and guided through the legislature by then state Rep. Jack Montoucet. Steen is now in the Marine Corps.
Matthew had always wanted to serve and when the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks occurred, “He swore that he was going to fight for his country so it would never happened again and he never wavered from that,” Alicia said.
When he was 17 he wanted to join the National Guard, but it was a week before his 18th birthday when Jeff gave his son permission to join the Marine Corps. After graduation from Iota High School, Matthew left for basic training in July 2009.
Matthew was in his second tour in Afghanistan when he was killed. He is one of 2,452 American deaths in what is now the nation’s longest war — it started on Oct. 7, 2001, as a response to the Sept. 11 attacks.
Both said they would likely cry after the interview.
“I can speak his name and I can speak of it without having my breath taken away. There was a time for a couple of years when I couldn’t even mention his name without it being a tremble,” Alicia said.
There are times when they are at events that remind them Matthew is not here.
But, “We made a decision together without speaking out on it. We are not going to let him be forgotten,” Jeff said.
Commendation
narrative
A narrative included with an Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal states: To Corporal Matthew T. Richard, United States Marine Corps, for heroic achievement in the superior performance of his duties while serving as fire team leader, 3D Squad, 3D Platoon, Company G, 2D Battalion, 8th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 1, 2D Marine Division (Forward) from January 2011 to June 2011 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Throughout the deployment Corporal Richard consistently proved to be a highly courageous and dynamic leader. On 20 March, 3D Squad came under heavy automatic fire from multiple enemy positions, pinning down most of the squad. Without hesitation, he led his team into a canal system and moved to an advantageous position on the enemy flank. He personally silenced one of the hospital positions with precision fire, forced them to withdraw and enabled the rest of his squad to maneuver. On 9 June, he ordered his Marines into covered positions so he could investigate a possible improvised explosive device. During investigation of the site, the device detonated and he was mortally wounded. Corporal Richard’s initiative, perseverance, and total dedication to duty reflected credit upon him and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.”