By Times staff
In Print: Thursday, March 19, 2009

Rep. Brown-Waite wants Dade City post office named for fallen soldier

U.S. Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite is leading an effort to name the post office in Dade City in honor of Army Sgt. Marcus Mathes. The 26-year-old was killed on April 28 outside Baghdad when his equipment truck was stuck by enemy rocket fire.

A graduate of Zephyrhills High School, Sgt. Mathes grew up in Highlands County before moving to live with his father in Pasco County. Inspired by the events of Sept. 11, he enlisted in the Army and left for boot camp on his 23rd birthday.

He served in Afghanistan from October 2006 until March 2007 before being sent to Iraq in November 2007.

Sgt. Mathes is survived by his wife, Jules, his mother and stepfather, Sue and Mike Sawyer of Sebring, his father, Ralph Mathes of Tampa, and brothers, Kyle Mathes of Illinois, and Zach Sawyer of Sebring

Brown-Waite introduced a bill Tuesday that would designate the postal facility at 37926 Church St. as the "Sergeant Marcus Mathes Post Office."

[Last modified: Mar 18, 2009 10:02 PM]