Taking a place of honor during Warren County Commission’s July session was LCpl. Matthew Jones. 

Jones served four years in the United States Marine Corps. He was asked by Commissioner Blaine Wilcher to lead the Pledge of Allegiance.

“I am honored to be able to do this,” said Jones. 

He joined the Marine Corps in December of 2011 and went to Parris Island, S.C. Upon completing boot camp and training at the School of Infantry, he was then assigned to 2nd Platoon, Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion 2nd Marines in Camp Lejeune as a 0311 Infantry Rifleman and also served as the platoon navigator. 

“Our unit was deployed in March of 2013 with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit where we patrolled the Mediterranean and Arabian Seas,” said Jones. “We trained numerous militaries such as the Jordanian and Omonian armies, as well as working with the French Foreign Legion in Northeast Africa.”

He returned in November of 2013 and was then tasked to be the platoon Grenadier and deployed to Okinawa, Japan as a Quick Reaction Force in February of 2015. 

“We, again, trained other militaries working with the ROK Marines in Korea and also working in and around the Philippines. I returned in October of the same year. I received an Honorable Discharge in December of 2015 and left the Marine Corps as a lance corporal (E3).”

During his time in service, Jones earned a National Defense Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Korean Defense Service Medal, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal.

Wilcher began selecting someone within the community to lead the Pledge of Allegiance as a way to recognize those who serve their community and country through military service or those who serve their community as a firefighter, law enforcement officer or medical personnel.