Via e-mail -- I just read the story "The Price of Freedom" (May/June 2008 issue, page 8) a second time before e-mailing you. ... The article was very well done. It is a shame stories like these are not told more often. To meet with Staff Sgt. Matt Slaydon and his wife and see how proud Matt was to serve our country must give you chills up and down your spine. Matt and Annette are very strong individuals. I hope the government is taking care of them in a proper matter.
Retired Senior Master Sgt. Harry Mirra
Philadelphia
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I'm the chief of Air Force Mortuary Affairs Policy and Programs at the Pentagon. Our survivor assistance team members work with all of the Air Force wounded warriors, and we have been in contact with Staff Sgt. Matt Slaydon from the day that he was injured to the present date. So you can imagine our interest in your May/June 2008 issue of Torch that featured Matt and his wife.
The issues went fast, and we ordered more. The magazines will be used to help stress the importance of taking care of our Airmen and to ensure that commanders understand the importance of assigning family liaison officers to our wounded warrior families as soon as possible.
We ensured that a family liaison officer was assigned to Sergeant Slaydon and his wife as soon as he returned from Iraq to assist with anything that they might need. We also have funded many of his TDYs so he could speak to leadership and tell his story. We speak with him or his wife several times a week and have assisted them with numerous requests, such as helping them receive payment on travel vouchers, obtain a passport, and much more.
First Lt. Kandis M. Sallustio
Arlington, Va.
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I'm the commander of the 56th Civil Engineering Squadron. We're honored to have one of our explosive ordnance disposal Airmen -- Staff Sgt. Matt Slaydon -- on the cover of Torch (May/June 2008 issue). As you can imagine, this edition is
going like hotcakes. Thanks!
Lt. Col. Anthony R. Ramage
Luke Air Force Base, Ariz.
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I'm the project officer for the Department of Defense Public Web. Kudos for an outstanding feature on Staff Sgt. Matt Slaydon ("The Price of Freedom") ... extremely well written.
Laurent Fox
Pentagon
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I am a retired Air Force enlisted member and serve as the coordinator for the oral and maxillofacial surgery residency program in the 59th Medical Wing. I just read the article "The Price of Freedom," and I have to tell you that Staff Sgt. Matt Slaydon is a major war hero in my eyes. He has paid a great price for our freedom.
His wife Annette is a hero, as well. She has taken her wedding vows quite seriously. Annette has shown some of the younger people that marriage is not just for the good times; if you truly love someone, you love them with your whole heart. ... It's what's on the inside of a person that counts (the heart, compassion, love, loyalty, trust, etc.). Annette, I salute you.
I have been married for 37 years. My husband is my soul mate, and I would stand by him no matter what. Annette has helped to rejuvenate my faith in human nature.
Best wishes to Annette and Matt. With their faith and love in each other, they can handle any obstacle thrown their way.
Cheryl A. Tholen
Lackland Air Force Base, Texas
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Thanks for writing such a beautiful story ("The Price of Freedom"). Matthew and I both shed tears reading it.
Staff Sgt. Matthew and Annette Slaydon
Randolph Air Force Base, Texas