Support Pours In for Recently Deceased Local Veteran

Aly Delp

Aly Delp

Published July 24, 2018 4:30 am
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HAWTHORN, Pa. (EYT) – Local support has poured in for a fundraising effort to defray funeral costs for a recently deceased local veteran.

Matthew Paul Brinker, 36, of Hawthorn, fell victim to severe PTSD and passed away on Friday, July 20, 2018.

Brinker, a 2000 graduate of Redbank Valley High School, served his country as a scout sniper for four years and five months in the U.S. Marine Corps with one deployment to Afghanistan and two to Iraq. He then moved to the U.S. Navy, where he successfully completed Basic Underwater Demolition/Seal (BUD/S) training and became a U.S. Navy SEAL (Sea, Air, and Land). He served six years and seven months as a SEAL, with one national tasking deployment.

Brinker was one of the highest trained and capable snipers in the Navy and the Marines. He received two combat action ribbons, an Afghanistan Campaign Ribbon, two Iraq Campaign Ribbons, and was an expert rifleman and pistol expert.

He was a member of the Walter W. Craig Post 354 of New Bethlehem American Legion.

As of Tuesday morning, the GoFundMe page created to help raise money for Brinker’s funeral expenses had already met and exceeded its $10,000.00 goal, raising over $17,000.00. The page states that “any excess funds will be donated to the Wounded Warrior Project in his name in hopes that more veterans will be able to find hope for their struggles with PTSD.”

Brinker is survived by his parents, Gary L. Brinker of DuBois and Linda R. Brinker of Hawthorn; a sister, Melissa Persing and her husband D.J. of Franklin; four brothers, Burton Brinker and his wife Kristin of Silver Springs MD., Bruce Brinker of Pittsburgh, Ben Brinker and his wife Nicki of Distant, and Brandon Brinker and his wife Brandy of Hawthorn.

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