RIP Pvt Matthew Bush
Posted on 08/09/2003 3:24:42 AM PDT by JustPiper
An Illinois soldier was found dead in his barracks in Iraq Friday morning, the 20-year-old's family said.
Pvt. Matthew Bush, of East Alton, died of unknown causes, his father Randy said . He said a military representative said the Army private couldn't be roused for duty.
``His battle buddy tried to get him up to go on duty and they couldn't get him awake,'' Randy Bush said in a telephone interview from his East Alton home.
Defense Department spokesman Sgt. Richard Ruiz said he could not confirm Bush's death to The Associated Press. However, the military did confirm that a soldier stationed with Bush's division died while sleeping in Kirkush, Iraq, but would not release the identity. Bush's family members said they expect more details soon.
``How does a 20-year-old man go to sleep and then not wake up?'' Bush's mother Barbara Bush, a resident of Wood River, told The (Alton) Telegraph.
Randy Bush said that his son had complained recently of the extreme heat, but he did not know if the heat contributed to his soldier's death.
Bush graduated from basic training in April and had been stationed at Fort Hood, Texas. He shipped out to Iraq on July 15 with the 4th Infantry Division's 10th Cavalry, his father said.
Calls from Iraq were frequent and Matthew Bush bubbled with pride over the phone, his father said. But the young man gave few details about his duties and more often just asked for the comforts of home.
``He said, 'Dad, my CD player went on the blink. You're gonna have to mail me a new one,''' Randy Bush said. ``A week before, he said 'Dad, boy, it is hot over here. You're gonna have to get me a fan and some Gatorade.'''
Randy Bush said he was concerned for his son, but Matthew insisted after seeing his kid sister Deann graduate from basic training. Watching his 19-year-old sister march across the stage was all Matthew needed, Randy Bush said.
``He said 'Dad, if she can do it, I can do it. I'm signing up as soon as I get home.'''
Undecided after graduating from East Alton-Wood River High School, Bush found ``his calling'' after boot camp, his father said. Dena Bush, Matthew Bush's aunt, said her nephew had been in Iraq less than a month, and had no plans to leave.
``The last time I talked to him he was talking about staying in the military and making a career out of it,'' she said. ``He loved it. He was always excited about it.''
Matthew Bush grew up this small city north of St. Louis. He played football for his high school team.
He was also inseparable from his sister, Randy Bush said. The two, born less than two years apart, shared the same friends and interests.
``Where Matthew went, Deann went,'' their father said.
They'll go together one last time when Deann escorts her brother's body home to his family, their father said.
RIP Pvt Matthew Bush
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.