AIKEN, S.C. (WJBF) — An Aiken Marine gave everything nearly 20 years ago. Now, his family shares the letter they never wanted to write.
“Dear Matt, this is how it’s been since you left us and how it is today, my son,” Cpl. Matthew Dillon father Neil Dillon wrote.
It’s a letter no parent ever wants to write — from a father to his fallen son. Cpl. Matthew Dillon of Aiken was just 25 when he died serving in Iraq. “There was a knock on the door. It must be UPS, I thought, delivering the Marine Corps flag you promised us for Christmas. At the door, not the UPS, but two Marines in dress blues. “Are you Neal Dillon, father of Cpl. Matthew Vincent Dillon?” Immediately I knew why they were there. I wanted to scream, “No, go away!” but I whispered, “Yes,” the letter continues…