Written by Marti Golson
Photography courtesy of Captain Matheny

Free·dom (fre-dom) n.
1. The condition of being free of restraints.
2. Liberty of the person from slavery, detention, or oppression.
3.a. Political independence. b. Exemption from the arbitrary exercise of authority in the performance of a specific action; civil liberty: freedom of assembly.
4. Exemption from an unpleasant or onerous condition: freedom from want.
5. The capacity to exercise choice; free will: We have the freedom to do as we please all afternoon.
6. Ease or facility of movement: loose sports clothing, giving the wearer freedom.
7. Frankness or boldness; lack of modesty or reserve: the new freedom in movies and novels.
8.a. The right to unrestricted use; full access: was given the freedom of their research facilities. b. The right of enjoying all of the privileges of membership or citizenship: the freedom of the city.
9. A right or the power to engage in certain actions without control or interference.

everal years ago I had the pleasure of meeting a young gentleman that has dedicated his life, freedom and heart to our United States Military. Now this was unusual to me because I haven’t known many people that made this decesion with their life. So I take great pride in telling you about a friend of mine, Captain William, A. Matheny. “Bill,” is a very humble and quite guy but he let me get up close and personal and enlightened me on his military career and experiences. The month of July is always a great reminder of our military and how much we should show our appreciation for their dedication and hard work. Without them our Independence would not be possible today.

William A. Matheny was born on January 23, 1978. He grew up in Denmark, South Carolina just outside of the Barnwell area and attended high school there. Bill’s family taught him that patriotic service and leadership were admirable traits. Both of his grandfathers served during WWII and encouraged him to become an Eagle Scout early on in life which in return provided him leadership skills within the community.

After graduating high school, Bill decided to do a very brave thing. He went against his family’s tradition of all the children attending the University of South Carolina and he attended Clemson instead (that within itself took a whole lot of courage). After graduating from Clemson, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Army Corps of Engineers and was stationed at Fort Stewart with 2nd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division. The division deployed to Kuwait in October in preparation for the invasion into Iraq. After they crossed the Iraqi border, the Infantry moved through the western desert of Iraq north towards Baghdad. They had a number of relatively small engagements until one day they crossed the Euphrates River and attacked into Baghdad. The 2nd Brigade conducted two “Thunder Runs” into Baghdad and on April 7, 2003, Bill’s division captured Saddam’s Palaces and the government buildings.

The 2nd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division lived in the palaces (what is now the “Green Zone”) and were responsible for assigned neighborhoods in Baghdad until the end of June 2003. At that time Al Fallujah was becoming a hot bed of insurgents, so the division was sent there to work on establishing the local government. As Engineers, Bill and his fellow men had a variety of missions from hauling away garbage and debris to cleaning up the city, to restoring power, water, and sewer facilities. The engineers were also conducting presence patrols with the infantry and tanks.

In addition to being the protection, the division established an engineering cell at the mayor’s office and contracted Iraqi companies to complete construction projects. They left Al Fallujah at the end of July to return to Kuwait, where the infantry cleaned and turned in their vehicles (the ones that weren’t destroyed) and waited for a flight home. The mighty and brave 2nd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division that Bill belonged returned to Fort Stewart on August 15, 2003.

While in Iraq, Bill tells how the engineers were briefed on every aspect of Saddam Hussen. He was told and shown what Saddam had done to his own people but he was never prepared for the stories he heard from the Iraquis about the torture and loss that they suffered under his rule.

His time in active duty supplied Bill with travels across the United States and Europe. He has been stationed at Camp New York, Camp Virginia, and Kuwait. Once the infantry began action his travels branched into As Samawah, Ad Diwaniyah, Al Mahmudiyah, and Karbala. After leaving active duty he wanted to come home, back to South Carolina . Once he returned, Bill felt the need to continue his responsibility to the Army. So he joined the South Carolina Army National Guard. By enlisting in the guard, he acquired the position of Commander of a Combat Engineer Company. The guard takes him away from his regular job once a month in order to keep updated on combat. As the company commander, Bill is responsible for planning the training that will keep us ready for a deployment to a combat zone or responding to a state emergency (hurricane, tornado, flood) like what happened in Louisiana.

I met Bill when he moved to Bluffton with his dog Laney. He loves South Carolina so much, the guy even owns our state dog, a Boykin Spaniel. One trick he has taught Laney is to answer this question: “Laney, what would you rather be, a dead dog or a Gamecock?” In answer to his question Laney immediatly falls down with her eyes closed.

We became friends after meeting at our local Ducks Unlimited Chapter meeting. Bill proudly and honestly purveys his leadership skills, community awareness and national responsibility in everything he does. He recently accepted a position in the South Carolina Military Department in the office of the Adjutant General. He is the project engineer with the Facilities Management office.

I asked Bill had his enlistment or war time experienes changed him. Bill quickly answers that being in the military has given him a new appreciation of our freedoms. Freedoms so many Americans take for granted.

One of the proudest moments of Bill’s life was not experienced during wartime but when he received an Eagle Scout badge from his grandfather. His grandfather was the founder of his local Troop 77 and that moment provided him with the seed that grew and bloomed into the brave and unselfish man that he is today.

I admit I sometimes take for granted the dedication, time and selflessness the men and woman that serve our country. This month and everyday we should pray for our troops and tell a soldier thank you. You never know how someone will influence your life until you take the time to appreciate their merits. I am proud to say that by meeting Bill Matheny (and Laney) I have found a new appreciation for the dedication from all of our military.