Vernon native returns from active duty

VERNON — Matthew Alexander's world view changed dramaticallly on the day of the 9/11 attacks.

Now, Alexander, a native of Highland Lakes, is a 7-year U.S. Marine Corps veteran.

“I still remember where I was to this day,” Alexander said. “I remember the principal coming over the intercom. That day we all grew up.”

He describes his upbringing as an “average” childhood in a patriotic household. As a youth, he enjoyed playing several sports — soccer and basketball — and was very active in the Boy Scouts, achieving Eagle Scout status.

Alexander was in seventh grade the day of the attacks. However, he never forgot that moment and while driving through Andover after registering for classes at Sussex Community College, he walked into the recruitment office and an hour later had joined the Marine Corps.

“He said, 'Mom, guess what I did today,” said his mother, Kathleen Alexander. “At first, I thought he was kidding, but then I saw the look on his face.”

By Sept. 8, 2008, he left home for basic training. “I knew he had made the right choice when I went to graduation.”

Alexander was stationed in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, where he was tasked to supply parts to aircrafts. While there, he worked with the local Afghan police, which he described as a wake-up up call.

“They are farmers and their main export is opium and marijuana.” he said. “As much as you try to convince them to grow vegetables, the drug trade demand is too profitable. Ninety percent of the world’s supply of heroin and marijuana are produced in Afghanistan.”

Kathleen Alexander recalled him telling her that she didn't know poor.

"They rely on one cow to support an entire family," she said.

After his tour in Afghanistan, he was sent to several embassies around the world, giving him the opportunity to learn both Arabic and French, which he speaks fluently. He spent time in Africa, Ireland and Macedonia. While in Africa he spent time in Chad, the Sudan, Casablanca Morocco and Mauritania.

By Sept. 11, 2014, 13 years after the attacks, he received word that he was going home and by last month, he was officially discharged from active service.

“You sign your discharge papers and you’re done, but, it didn’t really hit me until I was pulling out of the gate,” Alexander said.

For now, Matthew says he is enjoying being home and is ready to finish his degree in criminal justice. He looks to complete the enrollment process for the New Jersey state police and to start a family of his own. He works closely with a non-profit that aids veterans called the Warfighter Foundation, which he says helped him transition to being home.

“It was a hell of a ride while it lasted, but, now I’m ready to start the next chapter of my life.” Alexander said, “You realize what freedom is and in my opinion it’s a good deal. It was something that I never realized until I joined the Marine Corps.”