TF Rock remembers Sgt. 1st Class Matthew Blaskowski

Photo By Master Sgt. Jacob Caldwell | The helmet, rifle, ID tags, boots and photo are displayed in memory of Sgt. 1st Class Matthew Blaskowski during a memorial ceremony conducted Sept. 28 at Camp Blessing, Kunar province, Afghanistan. Blaskowski died in combat Sept. 23.  

KUNAR PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN

09.28.2007

Story by Sgt. 1st Class Jacob Caldwell 

Combined Joint Task Force - 82 PAO

by Sgt. 1st Class Jacob Caldwell
173rd Brigade Combat Team (Airborne) Public Affairs

KUNAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Soldiers from Task Force Rock gathered to remember the life and service of Sgt. 1st Class Matthew Blaskowski at a memorial ceremony conducted Sept. 28 at Camp Blessing in Kunar province, Afghanistan.

Blaskowski died Sept. 23 from gun-shot wounds when his platoon's forward operating base was attacked by insurgents.

Blaskowski enlisted as an infantryman Nov. 17, 1998. His first duty station was at Fort Drum, N.Y., with the 10th Mountain Division. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry, as a rifleman and a scout. He was later assigned as a team leader in 4th Bn., 31st Inf. in the same division.
After completing Airborne School in 2002, he reported to the 173rd Airborne Brigade in Vicenza, Italy, where he was assigned to the 2nd Bn., 503rd Inf. (Airborne).

Blaskowski served in multiple leadership positions in "The Rock." Those positions included team leader in Battle Company, battalion assistant operations sergeant in Headquarter and Headquarters Co., 2-503rd, and rifle and weapons squad leader in Chosen Co. during Operation Enduring Freedom VI where he earned a Silver Star. His most recent leadership position was as platoon sergeant for 1st Platoon in Battle Co.

His personality and long tenure with "The Rock" left a lasting impression on the battalion and all of the people with whom he served, particularly Army 1st Lt. Bradley Winn, 1st Platoon leader, Battle Co. The two worked closely together since they met in March during a training rotation in Grafenwoehr, Germany.

"It was hard to not get along with Sgt. Ski because his personality and humor were so infectious to so many people," said Winn during the ceremony.

"He was the mentor and platoon sergeant that I had always dreamed of," Winn said, "leading from the front and being an everyday hero that all of the Soldiers, including myself, looked up to. Sgt. Ski was the epitome of a professional Soldier that will forever set the bar for Battle Company, Chosen Company and the whole Rock family."

"Sgt. Ski passed away doing what he did best. Taking charge and being the great NCO (non-commissioned officer) that everyone knows him to be," Winn said.

"He was always quick to greet you with a friendly insult and make you laugh," said Army Sgt. Brian Hissong of Chosen Co. in remarks written for the ceremony.

"He would go out of his way to help Soldiers with any problem they might have, spending his entire day fixing someone else's problem because that's how much he cared about his Soldiers," stated Hissong.

"He was the type of leader that elevated the Soldiers under him, and even the people around him to perform better," Hissong said. "Not unlike a quarterback or great player in sports, he could help elevate his team to excellence. This was Sgt. Ski."

"He was the kind of man that would immediately light up a room with his presence and personality," wrote Army Staff Sgt. Jeremy Carey, Headquarters and Headquarters Co., 2-503rd, in remarks written for the ceremony.

"He was never the center of attention, but it wasn't the same without him around," Carey said. "He could bring something to a crowd that no one else could: a true, honest, take-me-as-I-am personality."

"Matt loved being a Soldier. His unmatched leadership and professionalism is what non-commissioned officers in the United States Army should strive to match. He was a Soldier's Soldier," said Carey.

"The magnitude of his life is a testament to the kind of man he was," Carey said, "He will be missed greatly."

Blaskowski is survived by his wife Daniela of Vicenza, Italy, and his parents Terry and Cheryl Blaskowski and family of Levering, Mich.

• Date Taken: 09.28.2007
• Date Posted: 10.01.2007 09:01
• Story ID: 12627
• Location: KUNAR PROVINCE, AF