Matthew Andrew Hetland died May 8. He was 28.

Matthew Andrew Hetland was born June 28, 1979, to Andrew and Marilyn Hetland in Billings, Mont. After graduating from Hettinger High School in 1997, Matthew enlisted in the Army National Guard. He was awarded medals, coins, plaques and other honors.

After Sept. 11, 2001, Matthew was called to active duty to work at the Rapid City Regional Airport for airport security. He was one of the first in the state to receive the new berets as shown in his picture.

Matthew spent time in many states; Montana, North and South Dakota, even Kansas for a moment, until he found his home in Colorado. He knew he had been called to the beautiful state for some purpose; and he had planned to, and did, spend the rest of his life there.

He leaves behind his father, Andrew; his mother, Marilyn; his brother Joshua; his loving Carissa; grandparents Kathryn Larson, Duane and Helen Hetland; other family members and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his grandfather Rodney Larson.

A memorial service will be at Callahan-Edfast Mortuary on Saturday, May 18, at 10 a.m. A memorial fund in the name of Matthew Hetland has been established in care of Callahan-Edfast Mortuary, 2515 Patterson Road, Grand Junction, CO 81505. As he would have wanted, Matthew will receive full military honors.

To read more about Matthew’s life, please visit www.matthewhetland.com.