Orem Marine Honored & Remembered After Being Killed In California Crash
Feb 1, 2020, 8:28 PM | Updated: 8:36 pm
OREM, Utah – A fallen U.S. Marine was laid to rest at the Orem City Cemetery.
Lance Corporal Matthew Ryan Adams, just 19 years old, was driving back to Camp Pendleton in California last month when he was hit and killed by a wrong-way driver fleeing from police.
U.S. flags lined 800 East in Orem Saturday afternoon as Utahns gathered to show their respect.
“I love that more and more people are showing up,” said Betsy Maxwell while standing in her driveway holding an American flag and wearing a red, white, and blue scarf. “It’s beautiful.”
Some placed plastic cups in chain-link fences, spelling out the message “Semper Fi” in honor of Adams.
“Just wanted to show our respect and honor for the family,” said Marlene Dodge, who was helping place the cups in the proper position.
Just after 12:30 p.m., the black hearse arrived at the cemetery.
@USMC Lance Corporal Matthew Ryan Adams, 19 years old, being laid to rest at the @Orem_City cemetery. pic.twitter.com/whUtDOHyrH
— Alex Cabrero (@KSL_AlexCabrero) February 1, 2020
One final ride before saying goodbye.
Adams’ military funeral at the Orem City Cemetery was so patriotic, with bagpipes and a gun salute, a family burying their loved one nearby stopped to honor him when a bugler started playing taps as part of this military ceremony.
They even watched with hands over their hearts as the flag draper over Adams’ casket was given to his mother by another Marine.
My favorite moment from today. During the military funeral/burial of Marine Lance Cpl. Matthew Ryan Adams at the @Orem_City cemetery today, another family burying their loved one nearby stopped to honor Adams when the bugler started playing taps. This one got me. 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/o69faDw1Zs
— Alex Cabrero (@KSL_AlexCabrero) February 1, 2020
“It means everything,” said David Adams, who is one of Matthew’s older brothers. “The support has been absolutely overwhelming and just everybody being there and showing support for my brothers and my parents especially, means absolutely everything.”
It let the family, especially his parents, know they’re not alone.
“We’re doing okay,” David Adams said. “All they need now is just time to heal their hearts.”
Although Matthew Adams will be missed, he most certainly won’t be forgotten.
Today Pleasant Grove’s Ladder 71 stood side-by-side with Ladder33 from Orem Fire Department to fly a large flag from @…
Posted by Pleasant Grove City Fire Department – PGFD on Saturday, 1 February 2020
