SPC Matthew Bolar

Matthew Thompson Bolar: 1982-2007

On the day that the recent tragic events unfolded on the Virginia Tech Campus, Matthew Bolar placed a concerned call to his father at Western Michigan University. Although Matthew was more than 10,000 miles away in Iraq, he was concerned about his father's safety. He had heard that there were shootings on a university campus back in the United States. "He said he didn't know the name of the school where the shooting had occurred, but he knew that I worked at a university," said Matthew's father, Gordon Bolar. "He was in the middle of the chaos and bloodshed in Iraq and he called me, worried about my safety, even though everything was quiet where I was that day."

"That's how I will remember Matthew," added Bolar "He was always thinking about someone else. That's why he volunteered to go back to Iraq a second time- he felt like his mission was helping the people in Iraq."

Spc. Matthew T. Bolar was a paratrooper from the 1st Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, stationed out of Fort Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska. While in the Army he received training at Ft. Leonard Wood, Ft. Bragg, Ft. Benning and Ft. Wainwright.

Matthew was from Montgomery, Alabama. He graduated from Canterbury Academy in Montgomery in 2002. He is survived there by his mother, Anne Adkins, his stepfather, Vernon Adkins and his sister, Emma Adkins. Matthew's father, Gordon and his wife, Elly Bolar reside in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Matthew's interests included Military History. He had always aspired to serving in the military, and felt called to do so after the events related to September 11, 2001. He loved the comradeship of the military and kept in close touch with members of his unit when he was home on leave.

Matthew was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana in 1982. In addition to closely following the LSU Tigers, Matthew was an avid New Orleans Saints fan. When home in January he was able to attend the NFC Championship Game at Soldier Field between the Saints and the Bears. "Pulling for the Saints, a team that struggled over the years, is just one minor indication of loyalty and character. Even in the hard times, he wouldn't give up on the Saints." his father observed.

Matthew's other interests included music and fly fishing. While visiting his father in Alaska, Matthew consistently amazed guides and fellow fisherman by catching the biggest trout or the biggest king salmon. "He was always happy when he had a rod in his hand- and he knew how to use it."

The characteristic that was most indicative of Matthew in recent years was his love and respect for his fellow soldiers. He loved the comradeship of the military and kept in close touch with members of his unit when he was home on leave. He died on May 2, 2007 as he tried to carry out his mission of service to the people of Iraq.