11/20/09

A fallen soldier was laid to rest in Twin Falls, as his friends, family, and fellow officers honored his sacrifice.

29 year old Mathew C. Heffelfinger of Kimberly was remembered friday. After services at the LDS Kimberly Stake Center north of Kimberly, graveside services were held at Sunset Memorial Park in Twin Falls.

Lt. Gov. Brad Little, (R) was there and said, “It reminds all of us in Idaho when we see these flags lowered to half-mast that there's people whose lives are out on the line every day for our freedom and our liberty. And we should remember that every day, even the days when we don't have the flags at half-mast.”

Four AH-64 Apache Helicopters from the Idaho Army National Guard's 1st 183rd Aviation Battalion, flew a missing man formation in Heffelfinger's honor.

B.G. Alan Gayheart, US Army National Guard said,
“This soldier's a member of a small minority, less than one percent of our society is protecting all our freedom. So I think we owe so much to this soldier and to this family for this sacrifice they've done for our freedom.”

Heffelfinger's widow was presented with the flag, placed on his coffin during the ceremony. Friday's services reminded attendees that freedom isn't free and made his sacrifice personal for each of them.