West Caldwell Says Goodbye to Soldier
U.S. Army Private Matt O'Hern deployed to Afghanistan.
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U.S. Army Private Matt O’Hern of West Caldwell is in Mississippi this week preparing for his first deployment to Afghanistan.
The 19-year-old O'Hern boarded a bus at 2 a.m. from Teaneck Armory to McGuire Air Force Base last Thursday his mother, Leanne O’Hern, said. She said he will be in Afghanistan for nine months, but isn’t privy to exact details.
She does know that sending her older son off to war is hard. Along with a strong sense of pride, she admitted, there have been a lot of prayers and tears.
“He always from an early age aspired to help people,” she said. “He's excited and happy about going over and defending the country. We're just very, very, very proud of him.”
After graduating from James Caldwell High School in 2011, O’Hern signed up for the National Guard. He concluded training and spent a semester at Montclair State, where he is studying criminal history.
O’Hern is a volunteer with the West Essex First Aid Squad as well as the West Caldwell Fire Department. At the firehouse, his locker is adorned with American and National Guard flags.
Tom O'Hern, a West Caldwell Councilman, serves on the WCFD with his nephew and godson.
"You go around town and everyone has the same comment about him—that he’s such a good kid," he said. "He’s responsible and everyone respects him. It’s a pretty big honor for someone that young to have so much respect."
Meanwhile his mom said she's had a lot of support from family and friends, who gathered for a farewell celebration earlier in the month.
She’ll be able to keep in touch with her son through letters and Skype, but can’t wait to see his smile in person again.
“My advice to him was please don't lose your smile while you are away,” she said.
Anybody interested in writing to U.S. Army Private 2 Matt O’Hern or sending him care packages, should contact Lisapaulbeaver@aol.com.
In This article
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James Caldwell High School
265 Westville Ave, West Caldwell, NJ -
West Essex First Aid Squad
642 Bloomfield Ave, West Caldwell, NJ -
West Caldwell Fire Department
6 Fairfield Ave, West Caldwell, NJ
peggy
8:28 am on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Good Luck Matt my prayers are with you. I remember when you just in Jefferson School.
Lauren
9:28 am on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Good Luck Matt you will be in our thoughts and prayers. Thank you for your service. The Rutledge Family
rosebud
8:30 pm on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Thank you Matt...The Thomas' family will constantly remember you in prayer.
Dyanne
8:30 pm on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Hey Matt !miss u a lot ! Praying to keep you safe. We are very proud of you. We will keep in touch. (: Dee carvel misses you.
John McGeown
8:30 pm on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Matt good luck and keep your head down. your a good kid and you know we love you. Love your Fake Uncle john and Aunt Kim....LOL...<3
Uncle Albert
8:30 pm on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
The Caldwells, as well as all Americans, are very proud of this outstanding young man.
Thank you for your service, Matt, you will be kept in many, many, many people's
thoughts and prayers.
I believe the following is your units patch & slogan (with a women's dress and the military symbols for country, duty and honor, these words appear above those symbols...
"THIS WE WILL DEFEND"
MATT, YOU WEAR IT WELL !!
Kean09
8:30 pm on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!!!! God Bless!!!!!
Lisa Lionheart
8:30 pm on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
GOOD LUCK MATT!!!! Thank you for your service!
Susan Bradley
8:30 pm on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Good luck Matt! We are praying for your safety.
Jim Alvine
8:30 pm on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Good Luck Matt, thank you for serving our country. Your fire department will be awaiting your return. We will miss you on the fireground.
followthemoney
8:30 pm on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Matt, may the Lord watch over you and keep you safe, we will have a cold one upon your return.
George Pappas
9:29 pm on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Good luck Matt I will pray or your safety !
Mary C. Edwards
8:11 am on Thursday, July 26, 2012
Matt, thank you for your service. We are so grateful for people like you who are willing to sacrifice to keep us safe. God bless you and your family and we will be praying.
The Edwards and McHugh Family
Maryellen Evers
8:11 am on Thursday, July 26, 2012
Thank you Matt for your service, your an amazing young man. Prayers while your gone for a safe return
Michele Luciano
7:45 pm on Thursday, July 26, 2012
God Bless you Matt. You are such a brave young man, always doing something noble.
We will keep you in our prayers, and pray for your safety. Our town will definitly miss you! The way you are always involved and helping others, it is trully amazing to see someone as young, invoved in soo much. You were always the best ccd teacher too : ) Thank You. We look forward to the day you return, and will pray for your family too. Michele an Juianna
JK
5:03 pm on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Stay safe my friend. You are definitely missed.I keep expecting you to respond to "93".