Family honors fallen soldier's memory

NAVARRE, Fla. (WALA) - The family and friends of local hero Army Pfc. Matthew Colin, killed in Afghanistan on Nov. 16, 2011, are holding a roast in honor of their loved one.

The 22-year-old Navarre native was killed by a roadside bomb while patrolling near Kandahar Province, Afghanistan.

Ken Colin, 54, spent 22 years watching his youngest son, Matthew Colin grow up and go into the Army.

"Matt was the guy you could call up at 2 in the morning. If you were stuck, or if you needed help, he would come pull you up," said Colin.

Private First Class Colin had only been Afghanistan for seven months when his squad was hit by the roadside bomb.

Colin was one of more than a dozen killed.

Ken Colin said his son grew up in Navarre, attending Navarre High School. He said he loved playing sports as well as hunting and fishing.

Colin said in the year Matthew's been gone, the community has reached out to show support to their family.

"We have one another to lean on when times are hard. We stay positive for them and show that love. That's what we have," Colin said.

Ken Colin spent much of the anniversary of Matthew's death preparing for a roast they plan to hold the next day - all in honor of the men like Matthew who were willing to sacrifice everything for our country.

"To get up every day, day in and out and see, their buddies killed; it takes a special breed to do that. We were just honored to have our son Matt as one of them," said Colin, "There will be tears, and there will be sadness. There will also be joy and we'll reflect on his memory. That's what it's all about, the good times with Matt."

The roast is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 17 at 2 p. m. and is open to all of Matt's friends and friends of the family.

Colin joined the Army in 2007. He earned many distinctions during his short military career, including the Purple Heart, a Bronze Star, and a Combat Infantry Badge.

Colin was assigned to 1st Battallion, 5th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Birgade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Fort Wainwright, Alaska.