Star of Hope
Inspiration
Courage, Sacrifice, Patriotism
Suggested For:
Men and women in our armed forces, veterans, family members, love ones, friends and American patriots.
Champion
American Hero Marine Matt Cole
Anne Dale with Matt Cole
Matt Story:
A native of Mandeville and a Mandeville High School graduate, Cole was a crew chief of an AAV(Amphibious Assault Vehicle, commonly known as an “AMTRAK”). He was deployed to Kuwait in January 2003 in preparation for the invasion of Iraq, and he was part of the first Marine regiment to cross in border in Iraq.
Cole returned home in 2003, but his unit was reactivated in January 2005 and deployed to Haditha, Iraq, in March 2005. On May 17, 2005, while preparing his vehicle for a patrol, Cole and another Marine were struck by a mortar round fired by insurgents.
Cole suffered injuries to his spinal cord and lungs. He was transported by medivac to the MASH unit at Al Asad air base in Iraq, then flown to Landsthul, Germany, where he underwent two surgeries. Part of the lower lobe of his right lung was removed and titanium pins were put in to replace shattered vertebrae.
Despite the new challenges he faces, however, Cole plans to continue toward his goal of becoming a chef. Before his deployment, he was enrolled in the Culinary Institute of New Orleans and is one class short of graduation.
Matt and wife Kim have started a family with their daughter in 2011.