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Family remembers soldier for his vibrant personality

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Army Sgt. Matthew D. Hermanson

A U.S. Army carry team transfers the remains of Army Sgt. Matthew D. Hermanson, of Appleton, Wis., at Dover Air Force Base, Del., April 30, 2011. Hermanson was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Polk, La. Roland Balik/U.S. Air Force photo.

ELKHORN -- Sgt. Matthew Hermanson is being remembered for his vibrant personality, exuberant smile and quick witted humor, according to a statement released Wednesday by his family.

Hermanson, 22, whose wife Rachel is an Elkhorn Area High School graduate, died April 28, 2011 in Afghanistan from enemy small-arms fire.

The couple was married May 8, 2010 at Calvary Community Church in Williams Bay in a ceremony conducted by Rachel Hermanson's father, the Rev. Donald Younger of Lake Geneva.

The newlyweds spent five months together in Louisiana, where Matthew Hermanson was stationed in nearby Fort Polk. He was deployed to Afghanistan in November.

He graduated from Appleton North High School in 2006.

"Matt was especially fond of the deer hunting trips with his Dad, brothers and friends to their land in northern Wisconsin," the family's statement read.

His body was returned to Dover Air Force Base Saturday where the USO assisted the family. Funeral arrangements are still pending, according to a news release.

Matthew D. Hermanson's family statement to the press:

Sergeant Matthew Daniel Hermanson passed away on Thursday April 28th, 2011 while proudly serving his country in Afghanistan. Matt's parents, Sandy and Jeff, his wife Rachel, and his brothers Josh and Nathan along with their families would like to express their deepest gratitude for all the love and support they have been receiving. Sandy, Jeff and Rachel are especially grateful to the US Military for the dignified transfer Matthew received at Dover Air Force Base along with the family's treatment while they were there for that difficult ceremony.

The USO was a great comfort as well for their support in Delaware. We will cherish many fond memories of Matt. Matt had a vibrant personality, exuberant smile, and quick witted humor. There have been countless times the laughter caused eyes to tear and sore stomachs that lasted for hours. Matt was especially fond of the deer hunting trips with his Dad, brothers and friends to their land in northern Wisconsin. He enjoyed trout fishing taking care to gear up properly, only to spill his belongings sending everyone else in a mad scramble downstream to collect whatever floated. Matt loved vacationing on Berry Lake with his family and friends Matt W., Brandon, Dustin, Ian and Andy. His antics, tricks and hours of endurance on water skis, knee boarding or tubing with his friends, made for great conversation and laughs in the cabin and around the campfire. Rachel was Matt's one true love and he loved her with all his heart.

They were married May 8th of last year. They had 5 months together in Louisiana, in a nice little house they rented and made into a home, making plans for their future together. Before he was married he lived in the barracks and made lifetime friends, especially Pheasant and Stephens. Matt and Chad Pheasant met in basic training and were together ever since. Through their training and a few late nights, they became like brothers. Isaac Stephens and his wife Angela were like a second home to him when he first got to Fort Polk.

He missed his family and they tried to fill that void for him. They did a good job; Matt loved spending time with them at their home. Matt loved to visit his brothers. Nathan in Rochester, MN and Josh in Mackville. At Nathan's they would play 24 hour stints of video games, especially World of Warcraft, taking very few breaks. During the breaks Matt would call his girlfriend Rachel and Nathan would harass Matt to get him off the phone and back to the competition.

Matt would always kick Nathan's butt, heading back to Appleton at least one level ahead of Nathan. Nathan, still to this day has never admitted to the defeat. Matt also spent many hours at his oldest brother Josh's house, helping with home remodeling projects (or house demolition, however you wanted to look at it). As for the other antics at Josh's - well, what happened at Josh's stays at Josh's! Matt enjoyed many Lord of the Rings trilogy all night movie marathons with his Mom, Dad and friend Brandon.

Matthew loved serving his country and had great loyalty for his fellow servicemen. Matt's tour of duty was to be completed in July before his unit was to return to the United States. However Matt, not wanting to leave his unit behind, had signed to extend his tour and return home with his unit. Matt was scheduled to return home for a two week leave around May 20th to celebrate his first anniversary with Rachel and visit his entire family, after which he was to return to combat in Afghanistan and be redeployed with his entire unit back to the United States in November.

Matt will be deeply missed. The Hermanson's also wishes to express their deepest condolences to all the families that have lost loved ones in the line of duty. It's written, "There is no greater love than to lay you're life down for a friend". Not only did Matthew, and his fellow servicemen, lay down their lives for a friend, they laid down their lives for countrymen and women they did not know.

We ask the media to please respect the privacy for our entire family during this difficult time.

Funeral arrangements are pending.

The Hermanson Family