ILLINOIS
Sergeant Matthew Barton
I'd like to nominate my friend Matt Barton as someone who exemplifies Marine values in his civilian life.
I've known Matt for about 15 years, and he is such an important part of my current hometown, Evanston, Illinois. When I first moved here, I knew Matt as a well-respected accountant and loving dad of three daughters who coached youth soccer (my daughter was on his team). Matt became the treasurer for our local chapter of the American Youth Soccer Organization. Evanston has a huge number of kids who play youth soccer, so being part of the leadership team is a major time commitment, and it's voluntary and unpaid. Matt did this for several years.
He is also the founder of the Evanston chapter of F3 (Fitness, Fellowship & Faith). It’s a workout group (think Crossfit) but is also very much about camaraderie and service. F3, thanks to Matt's leadership, has grown into a significant group of men in our community. The Marine sergeant in Matt is so evident in his leadership of F3. He gathers a group of guys before sunrise several days a week to exercise together, no matter what the conditions. He was the original leader, and he always inspires each guy -- some are young athletic types, others are over 70 -- to achieve their personal goals. He also trains others to be leaders. But F3 is more than just a workout, it’s also about service. F3 guys deliver Meals on Wheels to homebound people, gather books and clothes for needy children, and provide support for each other during tough times.
One of the most amazing things about Matt is that he has been doing all of this during a challenging time in his own life. His wife has been fighting cancer for the past three years. She has been through multiple surgeries, chemo, radiation, and two bone marrow transplants. I’m so happy to say she’s doing great right now. Despite all of the challenges Matt has faced, raising three daughters, owning a business, he continues to lead and inspire us all in his actions and words. He's always there for you.
I’m not a Marine myself, but I know what it means to wear the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor. There's no one I know who epitomizes Marine values -- honor, courage, commitment, selflessness, leadership -- better than my friend Matt.
Location: Evanston, Illinois
Submitted by: Josh Schonwald
Ssgt Lyle G. Headon Accordion title
Ssgt Headon served with the 3rd Amphibious Tractor Battalion from 1965 to 1966 in Vietnam. He deployed a second time in November 1967 with the 1st Amphibian Tractor Battalion known as the AmGrunts. Headon was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal with Combat V.
He does not, as most veterans of that generation, consider himself a hero. He was just doing his job. The 1st Amphibian Tractor Battalion during their time at Cua Viet had 80 men killed in action, three earning Posthumous Navy Crosses, and 775 Marines wounded in action. At peak strength, the Battalion only had 775 enlisted men. He has told me the real heroes are those who did not make it home to live to old age. He has contributed immensely to the small community we live in. He ran a successful butcher shop for 51 years (he took a meat processing class while in the Corps), he has written a book on all the veterans of Creston and is also the caretaker of our cemetery. He puts service above self, still to this day, and continues to instill patriotism in the younger generation.
Location: Creston, Illinois
Submitted by: Aubrey Headon