Gunner Matthew Psaila - 'A soldier to be proud of'

(from www.timesofmalta.com)

Hundreds of people packed St. John of the Cross Parish Church at Ta' Xbiex in the afternoon of Wednesday, 18th February, 2009, for the funeral of Gunner Matthew Psaila, who died on Monday following an AFM training exercise.

Gunner Psaila died in hospital after finding himself in difficulties in the water at Chadwick Lakes on Friday. He joined the army last March, fulfilling a life-long ambition.

The coffin was carried into the church by AFM pall bearers while a firing party stood to attention and presented arms.

The coffin was draped in the Maltese flag. On top of it was the 19-year-old soldier's forage cap, belt and bayonet frog. The soldier's family walked behind the coffin into the silent church.

Once the coffin was laid before the altar - where Matthew Psaila had served as an altar boy - the pall bearers folded and removed the Maltese flag, and Ta' Xbiex parish priest, Fr Joseph Gerada, replaced it with a Bible.

The congregation was led by Acting President Dr. George Hyzler, the Prime Minister Dr. Lawrence Gonzi, Opposition Leader Dr. Joseph Muscat, Brigadier Carmel Vassallo, Commander AFM, and senior officers of the other uniformed services. Among those present were soldiers from his unit at 1 Regiment - some of them wiping tears - and many young people, friends of Gunner Psaila.

In his homily, the parish priest recalled a conversation he had had with Matthew Psaila during which Matthew had asked him for a nice funeral when he died. The priest replied that he was likely to die first, to which Matthew replied that one never knew.

Matthew, Fr Gerada said, was a silent boy with a nice smile. "In a world where everyone wants to have his say, he was the one who was ready to listen." He was also a man who saw service in the army as a mission and a vocation to help others, and he had died while preparing himself for that purpose. "The army should be proud to have had him in its ranks. God has picked him for his army, to protect us and his family."

Following the Mass, the coffin was again carried out of the Church by AFM pall bearers, with the congregation applauding in the drizzle.

At Addolorata Cemetery, where Gunner Psaila was buried in the AFM Servicemen's graves, an section of 1 Regiment soldiers fired three volleys in a final salute and a bugler sounded the last post.

C (Special Duties) Company soldiers then individually placed flowers on the coffin and saluted their colleague.

MIGRANTS' ARRIVAL PREVENTS SOLDIERS FROM ATTENDING FUNERAL

An army spokesman confirmed that a number of soldiers who had planned to attend could not do so because of the arrival of a large number of migrants at Birżebbuġa this morning.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• AFM
• FAM
• Forzi Armati
• Armed Forces
• Malta
• Maltese military
• Matthew Psaila

[Benajsa]

Illum niftakru fik Matthew, gheluq is-sena li l-Mulej ijlu igawdik bhala suldat tal-Genna tieghu !!!

Ma ninsewk qatt !!!

[xXxairgunboyxXx]

r.i.p matt and the bid RED AND WHITE FLAG SALUTES YOU!

[themaltaboy]

r.i.p. matt, i wish i knew u i wish i had met u,  i salute u knowingu were a good soldier , thank u for ur service, man, malta will miss u

[lghawdxi]

Rest in peace Brother.

[getfunky79]

Rest In Peace our friend Gunner Matthew. You were such a great person . Bless us all and pray for us from heaven .....until we meet someday . So sad day it was on Friday 13th!!!

[getfunky79]

Rest in peace our friend matthew. You will be always in our hearts. Protect us all soldiers from heaven .....until will meet again someday!!!! LUV U . RESPECT

[Qrempuca1]

Rest in Peace Matt.. Thanks for being such a good friend. I will never forget your kindness... Pray for us since I know you are in a better place...

[Qrempuca1]

Rest in Peace matt... Thanks for being such a good friend. Never will forget your kindness.. Please pray for us since I know you are in a better place.

[SopmodJack556762]

Sad very sad R.I.P ,thanks for this upload

[fusinu]

Rest in peace matt...niftakrek zghir jien..kont liskola miaj il primarja...I wish I knew you better....