In his honor

FLORENCE - The love is evident in Nicole Conley's eyes as she plays with her 5-month-old daughter, Catherine Mattison.

"She helps ease the pain. She gives me something to hang on to,'' Conley said as she tenderly kissed her daughter's head.

"She has her dad's eyes. I can't help but look at her and see Matt.''

U.S. Marine Cpl. Matthew Conley, of Greenhill, was killed Feb. 19, while serving in Iraq. He was buried with full military honors and more than 1,000 people in attendance on Feb. 26, his 22nd birthday.

The 2002 Rogers High School graduate was a squad leader assigned to the First Marine Division. His unit was attached to the 2nd Marine Division, 11 Marine Expeditionary Forces in Iraq.

Catherine was born 25 days after her father's death.

Though it's been more than six months since Matthew Conley died, Nicole said it's finally "becoming real'' to her.

"I've grown up a lot in the last few months,'' she said as she rested Catherine on her shoulder, gently patting her back. "I still wake up and wonder if all that was a dream.''

Matthew and Nicole would have been married three years in July.

He left for Iraq on Labor Day 2005 and on July 25, 2006, he would have finished his enlistment with the Marines and returned home.

Nicole Conley said she found a completed application where Matthew was applying to attend the University of North Alabama and an application for the Florence Police Department among his things that were sent from Iraq.

"He was wanting to go to school and to work with the police department while he was going,'' she said. "His dream was to become a teacher and coach.''

Conley said education and athletics were important to Matthew.

Because of that, and in an effort to honor her husband's memory, the Matthew Conley Scholarship Fund has been established.

Conley said Chase Creasy, a 2006 Rogers graduate received the first $1,500 scholarship.

"He's using it to go to Alabama. That would have really pleased Matt, because he was such an Alabama fan,'' Conley said.

Several fundraisers have been held and more are planned to raise money for the scholarship fund. She said private donations can be made at the Lauderdale County Teachers Credit Union.

Conley said it's her hope that that soon the fund has enough money that two scholarships -- one for a female and one for a male -- can be given away.

"I'd love to be able to give some to the Rogers athletic program also,'' she said.

The scholarship recipient must have a 3.0 grade point average, be involved in school programs, athletics and demonstrate leadership ability, qualifications that were evident in Matthew.

Matthew Conley participated in various sports while he was at Rogers.

"His passion was athletics and school,'' she said. "That's why the person who receives the scholarships has to reflect the same desires and passion. They don't have to be the best athlete, but they must be involved and have that passion.''

Conley said her husband wasn't able to get a college scholarship. He joined the Marines after high school to get his college educated funded.

"Matt would be proud that we're helping others go on to school,'' Conley said. "Hopefully, by doing this, people will realize what a good person he was and what a sacrifice he made.''

Inside her house are many reminders of her husband, from a book on the U.S. Marines on her coffee table to wedding pictures of the couple.

"I don't want anyone else to have to come home like Matt did,'' she said as Catherine slept quietly on her shoulder. "I appreciate what (the soldiers) are doing and the sacrifices they're making.

"They're over there so we can enjoy our freedoms. I thank God for the men and women who are there to keep us safe. They're doing a lot more than we'll ever know, and some are making the ultimate sacrifice.''

Tom Smith can be reached at 740-5757 or tom.smith@timesdaily.com.