Traverse City Record-Eagle

Michigan

July 12, 2012

Funeral held for Reservist who died in Afghanistan

HOLLY TOWNSHIP (AP) — A 29-year-old Army Reserve soldier from suburban Detroit who died in Afghanistan during his third combat deployment has been buried at Great Lakes National Cemetery.

The family and friends of Staff Sgt. Matthew J. Leach of Ferndale turned out for Wednesday's funeral service at the military cemetery in Oakland County's Holly Township, 40 miles northwest of Detroit.

Leach died June 26 in Kandahar. The Pentagon hasn't disclosed how he died.

Leach was born in Texas. He served two tours in Iraq before Afghanistan.

Master Sgt. Jeffrey Rector recruited Leach and tells The Detroit News he was "among the best." Ex-Ferndale neighbor Janelle Bradley tells the Detroit Free Press that Leach was a "wonderful cook," who invited her and her husband over for barbecue ribs, filet mignon and roasted asparagus.

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