ABOUT SPC MATTHEW E. BAYLIS
and the
"GASOLINE ALLEY CAR SHOW"

 

SPC. Matthew E. Baylis
KIA 31 May 2007, Baghdad, Iraq

Matthew was a wonderful son. He was extremely respectful of his parents, teachers and friends. Matt loved cars and car racing and joined me at car events since he was two years old.

Matthew stated that he wanted to join the Army when he was 12 years old. As parents, we thought this was just a passing notion like so many young boys have to be policemen, firemen and soldiers. All this became serious after the attack on the World Trade Center in September 2001. From that time on Matthew was determined that he would go into the Army and make a difference in the world. Matt joined during his last year of high school and departed for basic training at Fort Benning, Georgia in August of 2005. He excelled in infantry combat training and was sent to Iraq in 2006. Matthew was in many firefights and quickly gained the respect of his fellow soldiers. The day Matthew was killed, his heroic actions actually saved the lives of many members of his platoon.

The SPC Matthew Baylis “Gasoline Alley Car Show” at the “PFC Joseph Dwyer Freedom Fest” is part of a Memorial Scholarship Fund set up in Matthew’s name to provide scholarships to Children of Veterans in need of assistance for college or any advanced education. This is the 1st Annual car show, but the scholarship has been helping students for 6 years. Check out the 9-1-1 veterans.org website for more info.

Thanks,
Rich Baylis