Posted: 7/28/05
Gold Star mother remembers, feels for Opskars
By Muriel Mathison
Editor's note: Muriel Mathison of Princeton was kind enough to write down the thoughts she had Monday when she heard of the death of Sgt. Bryan Opskar in Iraq. Mathison's son Mike was killed in Vietnam on May 20, 1969, while on patrol. He was 34 days from his 19th birthday.
When I heard the news that Bryan Opskar had lost his life in Iraq; I cried "Oh, God, No!" "That's four boys from Princeton who gave their lives on foreign soil." I was heartbroken, I cried and prayed for his parents and family.
You see I went through that awful sorrow 36 years ago when we lost our son in Vietnam. For him to die over seas in a foreign land, so far from home was hard to accept.
When I saw those Marines in dress uniform walk up to our door, I knew why they were there before they ever spoke. I think they said something like - The United States Marine Corp regrets to inform you of the death of your son, Michael Alfred Mathison. I was in such a state of shock, my husband and I just held each other. I don't remember much after that. The hardest part was to inform Mike's brothers and a sister, uncles, aunts etc. I just went through the motions of daily life not really feeling anything for months and months. There is still that empty spot in my soul that can never be filled. We remember Mike on his birthday and holidays when family is together. We talk about the good memories we have of the 18 years we had with him.
My heart breaks when I hear how many lives are taken every day. The worse part is there seems to be no end to it in sight. I pray every day for an end to the war in Iraq and peace every where.
My heart goes out to the Opskars.
Princeton Union-Eagle
P.O. Box 278
Princeton, MN 55371
Telephone: 763-389-1222
Fax: 763-389-1728