MEMORIAL DEDICATION
FOR MATT NIELSON
A memorial was dedicated for Captain Matthew Nielson who was
killed in Iraq
in June 2011. The ceremony was held at
the site of the memorial, College Hill Lutheran
Church, 2322 Olive Street in Cedar Falls, Iowa
on Sunday, September 30, 2012 at 2:30 pm. In addition to the formal dedication,
led by Reverend John Wegener, remarks were shared by Matt’s father, Roger
Nielson and LTC (Ret) Chris Lukasiewicz of the ROTC program. The dedication of
the memorial was followed by informal visiting and refreshments. Approximately
150 friends, family and the cadets from the current ROTC program attended.
Matthew Nielson, from Jefferson,
Iowa, was a member of the ROTC at the University of Northern Iowa where he achieved his
academic degree as well. Matthew was an
active member of the Lutheran
Student Fellowship and a regular attendee at worship services and other church
events. When Matthew was killed in
action in Iraq
congregation members wanted to erect a memorial in his honor at the church. The
resulting memorial is a flagpole with a surrounding area of block and rock, a
plaque noting the purpose of the area, a concrete bench and appropriate
plantings. The plaque reads “In memory
of Captain Matthew Nielsen and those who have served in the US Armed Forces.” Following is a second line reading “Greater
love hath no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends.” “John 15:13”
The first flag flown is the casket flag presented to the
family of Virgil Mauer, Air Force veteran and long time member at College Hill Lutheran
Church. The flag was hoisted by Virgil’s son, Steven,
and his grandson, Nicholas, of Overland
Park, Kansas.
