Mourners honor hero
Friends, family and community turn out for fallen Marine’s wakeBy William Kibler, bkibler@altoonamirror.com
Article Photos
Ron Anderson was never in the military. But that didn't stop the senior pastor at Calvary Baptist Church in Altoona from taking a lead role in an organization dedicated to honoring service men and women.
On Friday, Anderson was "senior ride captain" for a contingent of the Patriot Guard Riders holding flags on 13th Avenue during the wake for Marine Staff Sgt. Matt Ingham at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament.
Ingham died Jan. 11 in an ambush in Afghanistan, after crawling wounded into an exposed position to radio for the air support that saved the lives of 12 others, according to his superior officer.
The Patriot Riders attend services of military members killed in action or veterans, after obtaining permission from their families, "so they know there are people who understand and appreciate" what they've done, Anderson said.
It's plain that such appreciation isn't distributed universally in the population by the contrast between those who pull over, salute or press their hearts out of respect during funeral processions and those who just go about their business, Anderson said.
Yet both sides benefit equally from the sacrifices those service members made, he said.
The sacrifices are what differentiate the grief of families like the Inghams and the grief of families of civilians who have died, said Anderson, who has presided over many funerals as a pastor.
Ingham family friend Irma Endredy of the Cleveland area, formerly of Hollidaysburg, deplores the need for sacrifice in Matt's case.
She knew him since he was 5 years old, she said.
She doesn't believe the U.S. should be fighting in Afghanistan.
"Yes, we are to be grateful to these young people [who are] giving themselves for freedom," Endredy said. "They're there for us."
But it's heartbreaking they should die so early, she said.
She knows war first-hand, having fled Hungary in 1945 before the end of World War II, she said.
Thirty-three city firefighters also attended the wake, honoring Ingham as they would one of their own, Altoona Fire Chief Reynold D. Santone Jr said.
The department will further honor Ingham today by crossing a pair of truck-mounted ladders on the route of the procession from the Cathedral to Grandview Cemetery, Santone said.
Eileen Bogel of Duncansville didn't know the family but attended the wake as a member of the U.S. Armed Forces Mothers.
Her son is an electrician's mate aboard a nuclear submarine now in the western Pacific.
She thanked the Inghams for Matt's service and their sacrifice and told them they were in her prayers.
Beyond that, "What do you say at a time like this?" she asked.
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orlandobob
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01-23-10 9:16 PM
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Thanks Matt
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ElHefe200
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01-23-10 3:33 PM
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I know no words can really comfort you when someone dies. So to the Ingham family all I can say is thank you for raising such a wonderful son who joined the Marines to protect the freedom of others. He is a hero, be certain of that.
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etmill01
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01-23-10 7:24 AM
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My thoughts and prayers go out the the Ingham family and friends, Matt is definitely a hero..God bless
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TIMOTHY
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01-23-10 12:40 AM
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TO THE FAMILY OF MATT INGHAM: MAY GOD BLESS U ALL IN THIS TIME OF NEED. ALSO MRS INGHAM UR HUSBAND AN MR INGHAM UR SON WAS A HERO. SO MAY GOD BLESS U EVERYDAY KNOW THAT UR SON AN HUSBAND WAS A LOVING PERSON AN A HERO (RIP)MATT
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