Marine's death begets scholarship

Marine Cpl. Matthew Conley of Greenhill was set to leave Iraq in two days to make it home in time for his daughter’s birth when he was killed Feb. 19, a week before he turned 22.

Recipients must share his passions

FLORENCE, Ala. - The love is evident in Nicole Conley's eyes as she plays with her 5-month-old daughter, Catherine Mattison.

"She helps ease the pain. She gives me something to hang on to," Conley said as she tenderly kissed her daughter's head.

"She has her dad's eyes. I can't help but look at her and see Matt."

U.S. Marine Cpl. Matthew Conley of Greenhill was killed Feb. 19 while serving in Iraq. He was buried with full military honors and more than 1,000 people in attendance on Feb. 26, his 22nd birthday.

The 2002 Rogers High School graduate was a squad leader assigned to the First Marine Division. His unit was attached to the 2nd Marine Division, 11 Marine Expeditionary Forces in Iraq.

Catherine was born 25 days after her father's death.

Though it's been more than six months since Matthew Conley died, Nicole said it's finally "becoming real" to her.

"I've grown up a lot in the last few months," she said as she rested Catherine on her shoulder, gently patting her back. "I still wake up and wonder if all that was a dream."

Matthew and Nicole would have been married three years in July.

He left for Iraq on Labor Day 2005 and on July 25, 2006, he would have finished his enlistment with the Marines and returned home.

Nicole Conley said she found a completed application where Matthew was applying to attend the University of North Alabama and an application for the Florence Police Department among his things that were sent from Iraq.

"He was wanting to go to school and to work with the police department while he was going," she said. "His dream was to become a teacher and coach."

Conley said education and athletics were important to Matthew.

Because of that, and in an effort to honor her husband's memory, the Matthew Conley Scholarship Fund has been established.

Read the rest at the Sun Herald

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