Hubbard veteran who died last year recognized for making ultimate sacrifice

HUBBARD — Vietnam War veteran Anthony “Tony” R. Matola finally received the respect he believed all Vietnam veterans deserve.

Earlier this month, Matola’s name was placed on the In Memory Honor Roll during ceremonies in Washington, D.C.

The In Memory Honor Roll, a program of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, recognizes those who served in the Vietnam War and later died as a result of their service.

Matola, of Hubbard, served in the Army in the Pleiku area of central Vietnam in 1968 and 1969 in the 4th Artillery. He died July 8, 2015, less than 13 months after being diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer caused by exposure to Agent Orange, a toxic herbicide used in the Vietnam War to defoliate areas of forest.

“My whole life I sensed he felt like his service was not appreciated. I think this would mean a whole lot to him,” his daughter, Katie Costello of Hubbard, said of the In Memory program. “What a neat thing.”

She participated in the In Memory ceremony with her husband, Samuel, and daughter, Anastiya, 10.

“It was wonderful,” she said, adding it also was “very emotional. For some, it wasn’t so fresh. But I had a hard time.”

“My mom couldn’t stand to go. They were married at 16. It is incredibly hard for her,” Costello said.

For the complete story, read Tuesday's Vindicator and Vindy.com