Spring Break
Family, friends remember Aggie soldier who 'always had a smile'
By: Melissa Appel
Issue date: 4/25/08 Section: News
Vandegrift's love spread far beyond his family. He always had time for his friends, even with his solid grades.
"He always surrounded himself with good, genuine people," McAfee said.
The support of his friends was evident in the relationships he established during his life, as well as the actions of his friends after his death. Many members of the Corps and high-school friends plan to travel to Colorado for the funeral Monday.
"He was one of the most straightforward and honest persons I've ever known in my life," McAfee said. "Whatever he did was true. He never failed me once as a friend."
"Matt was a happy-go-lucky kind of guy," Kriel said. "He always had a smile on his face."
Vandegrift enlisted with the Marine Corps in August 2005, in accordance with a long line of familial military service. His father was a major in the Marine Corps, and his great uncle was one of the most famous commandants in the Corps. Gen. Vandegrift received the Medal of Honor during World War II. Vandegrift's younger brother, Barrett, is a pilot in the Air Force.
Funeral services will be Monday in Colorado. Vandegrift will be buried with full military honors at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver.
"He always surrounded himself with good, genuine people," McAfee said.
The support of his friends was evident in the relationships he established during his life, as well as the actions of his friends after his death. Many members of the Corps and high-school friends plan to travel to Colorado for the funeral Monday.
"He was one of the most straightforward and honest persons I've ever known in my life," McAfee said. "Whatever he did was true. He never failed me once as a friend."
"Matt was a happy-go-lucky kind of guy," Kriel said. "He always had a smile on his face."
Vandegrift enlisted with the Marine Corps in August 2005, in accordance with a long line of familial military service. His father was a major in the Marine Corps, and his great uncle was one of the most famous commandants in the Corps. Gen. Vandegrift received the Medal of Honor during World War II. Vandegrift's younger brother, Barrett, is a pilot in the Air Force.
Funeral services will be Monday in Colorado. Vandegrift will be buried with full military honors at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver.
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