A Facebook post from Staff Sergeant Matthew Whalen’s friend sums up this Veteran’s final act of heroism. The video of Whalen being wheeled into surgery to harvest organs going to two fellow Veterans garnered more than 10 million views on Facebook this week. Whalen is survived by his wife, Hannah, and three-year old daughter pictured below, Sadie Whalen.
More than 100 of Whalen’s fellow U.S. Army Veterans came together at the Plaza Medical Center in Fortworth, TX to give their comrade one final salute.
We say farewell to Staff Sergeant Matthew James Whalen. In his final act on this Earth, it’s only fitting that he gave his life and in return saved two others. And it’s almost as if it were meant to be that the two donor recipients happened to be veterans.
There is no SOP or protocol for this type of ceremony, but with the help of Matt’s wife Hannah, all of his family, the nursing staff, and an Honor Guard we were able to show our love and appreciation in the best way we could. All of you out there scattered throughout our country this close to Christmas can rest assured tonight. Your prayers and kind words these last couple days have carried the Whalen family and the support was truly felt.
Hannah wanted this to be posted to Facebook for everyone to see and be part of.
Thank you all once again. Funeral arrangements will be pushed out by Hannah at a more appropriate time. Harlow Danger, Matt Whalen, Rafael Machuca, Matt N Stacey Lussi, Felix Garcia, Andrew Lee, Terry Goble, Krystle N Justin Barnes.
Posted by Sean Hatton on Monday, December 21, 2015
