Veteran Recognition for Matthew Hursey
The 2nd Recognition and Dedication in my 5000 Mile Journey to Veterans Day is Specialist Matthew J. Hursey. Matt was born in Baltimore, MD, and graduated from Dundalk High School in 2002. He enlisted with the U.S. Army in 2002 and served until 2007, MOS 11B1P Airborne Infantry. His Basic training took place at Ft. Benning, Georgia, followed by Airborne School.
Matt’s first duty station was at Fort Richardson, Alaska with the Blackfoot Company, 1/501st. He was also at Fort Irwin, home of the National Training Center, and Fort Knox to field test Strykers.
From October 2003 to August 2004, Matt was deployed to FOB Salerno, Afghanistan on a 240 B Machine Gun Team in the area of Khost-Gardez Mountains.
His 2nd duty station was at Fort Campbell, Kentucky where he was assigned to Fox Company’s 5/101st Aviation Pathfinders. He was reassigned to Alpha Co. 2/502nd of the 101st as a rifleman.
From September 2005 to September 2006, Matt was deployed to Camp Stryker, Iraq working out of “the Swamp” in the area of the Sunni Triangle of Death: Mahmudiya, Yusufiyah, and Latifiyah, where he was injured on patrol by an IED (roadside bomb)
After the IED…windows are peppered and front
tires are flat
Specialist Hursey’s awards include a Purple Heart, two ARCOMs (Army Commendations Medals), and an AAM (Army Achievement Medal)
3rd Platoon Alpha Co 2/502nd near the end of deployment
After his military service, Matt attended Community College of Baltimore County to earn an associate degree in Criminalistics and the University of Baltimore for a Bachelor's Degree in Criminology.
Matt met Katie in 2007 and was married in 2011. They have two sons, Jackson (10) and Lincoln (9) He is employed by Howard County as a Regulation Inspector and is an Assistant Cubmaster for Pack 485. VFW Post 7012 is proud to have Matt as a Regular Member, he also has membership at the Parkton American Legion Post 256, Disabled American Veterans Chapter 18, Towson, and the Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 22, Towson.
Monkton Maryland wedding
Assistant Cubmaster duties at the end of the year program
A visit to the zoo with Jackson and Lincoln
New Freedom VFW Post 7012 Color Guard with the Commander
