Ride for 22

Remembering Marcos A Matias
Sgt - USMC
10/04/99 - 07/03/25

Marcos A. Matias was born at St. Elizabeth’s in Chicago, Illinois on October 4, 1999 to Maria C Vargas-Jimenez and Hector S Matias. He left us on July 3,2025. He graduated from Gray Elementary School and Rauner College Prep High School. As a child he was full of energy and curiosity and loved to eat. As we would leave restaurants, he would eat the leftover food other customers left, because he couldn’t understand why other people would waste food. He loved dissecting things and troubleshooting to try and fix the problem. His inquisitive mind led him to endless adventures. He loved nature and enjoyed the outdoors by hiking and going on bike rides. His goal was to try all the flavors for Mountain Dews and would get excited when a new flavor was released.
He was a kind, caring, selfless, supportive son who helped so many people. He was the best brother he could be and up to the last day his sister could do no wrong in his eyes. He helped and supported his brother, and he guided him the best he could. He loved to serve others and touched so many people’s lives growing up in the Logan Square Boys and Girls Club. He was a role model in every role he was given. He had a strong work ethic and had values to always do the right thing. He loved volunteering whether it was a 5K, shoe drive, winter gear essentials for the homeless, food drives, golf tournaments, or backpack drives. He was always there helping from the bottom of his heart.
He loved playing nerf guns with Dad as a kid and his love for food only grew as he got older. He loved trying new restaurants and was open to all music genres. We have so many good memories going to the gun range and the excitement he would have with different guns and gear. He loved cars and he loved animals, but he had a soft spot for dogs.
Sergeant Marcos A. Matias started in San Diego for boot camp in platoon 3231 Kilo Company. After completing his schooling and training he went to Washington DC where he was stationed to help support the President’s Own Marine Band. His last assignment was in Quantico, Virginia as an Osprey airframer at Marine Helicopter Squadron One (HMX-1)
Marcos will be remembered for being an amazing, supportive, thoughtful, and caring son. For being a caring and loving big brother and for always thinking of others. For being kind and putting everyone else first. For loving his family and supporting them. For one of his favorite phrases; “That’s so COOL!”
He struggled with depression for a long time, but he never really showed his pain and struggles. He wanted to make sure he didn’t worry others or inconvenience anyone else. He poured from an empty cup for a long time because he thought of others before thinking of himself.

Remembering Adrian Darius Chico
PFC - US Army
07/22/04 - 12/06/23

Hometown: North Bergen, NJ

Unit/Branch: Army, Radio Retransmission Operator for Headquarters, Headquarters Troop, 2nd Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment.

Age: 19

PFC Adrian D. Chico’s awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and the Army Service Ribbon.

Private First Class (PFC) Adrian Darius Chico was born on July 22, 2004 to parents Orieta and Rolando Chico. They remember Adrian as the most loving and caring son, Adrian was born and lived in North Bergen, New Jersey where he graduated from North Bergen High School in 2021 where he was actively involved in football and swimming; he also loved baseball and boxing. After graduating High School Adrian volunteered for the Butler Fire Department. In September 2022, PFC Chico enlisted in the United States Army and completed Basic Training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, to include Advanced Individual Training at Fort Eisenhower, Georgia. In July 2023 he was awarded the Military Occupational Specialty of Signal Support System Specialist. Upon completion of training Adrian was assigned to 2nd Squadron 14th Cavalry Regiment, Schofield Barracks where he served as an Radio Retransmission Operator for Headquarters, Headquarters Troop. He served in Hawaii from August 17, 2023 – December 6, 2023.

PFC Adrian Chico passed away on December 6, 2023 he was found unresponsive in his barracks at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii.

Adrian “King Of Hearts” how the family friends liked to called him, is remembered by his family as the most kind, happy, beautiful, compassionate, outgoing “life of the party” humble, generous, smart, thoughtful person with the most beautiful contagious smile. He was the funniest guy on earth who loved his family dearly, animals, his Xbox, and his best friends (Henry, AJ, Felipe and Gina). He always talked about the future and was always so excited to share all the amazing new things he was learning and all the plans he had. He always talked about having a family and kids of his own one day. Adrian was a big mama’s boy; he would spend hours on the phone with his mom talking about pretty much everything and anything – he loved his mom more than anything in this world. Adrian was was such a happy soul, full of life, there was nothing that he enjoyed more than making his friends and family laugh with his jokes. He is well known for having an enormous heart; he brightened the lives of those he touched every day. Adrian was one of a kind. He will always be remembered by his family as “ONE OF THE BRAVEST MAN TO WALK THIS EARTH.”

Adrian is survived by his parents Orieta and Rolando, sister Gisselle, brother Jose, brother-in-law John Albanese, aunt Barbara and Alex, and uncle Gabriel, nephews: Jacob, Caleb and Elijah and nieces Daniella and Adriana (named after Adrian). Adriana was born December 19th, 2023. She is the only niece Adrian didn’t had a chance to meet.

Remembering Jeremiah Irwin
SSgt - USMC
07/08/92 - 03/23/25

Jeremiah proudly served his country for 13-1/2 years. Born and raised in Pittsburgh PA, he loved following the Steelers, Pirates and especially the Penguins (being a hockey player himself from the age of 7). After obtaining an honorable discharge from the Marines, Jeremiah was attending Duquesne University to be a history teacher.

Shared from an article in the Duquesne Duke:
Jeremiah Irwin was always keen to feel part of a fraternity, whether that was hockey or the Marines. His quiet but confident leadership led him to the top of the group, as captain of his high school team, or as staff sergeant in the Corps.

“He carried around a presence of leadership and accountability and then also could be kind and caring. He was a great listener,” said family friend and former Marine Adam Brunner. “He would always be there to hear anyone’s problems out and be there to support and help. I just wish he had that same help when he needed it.”

Irwin, a history student at Duquesne, died on Sunday, March 23, the school announced. Irwin, 32, was in his second year studying history after spending 13 years in the Marines. Irwin’s interest in joining the service started at the age of 15, when he began asking Brunner about his experience. Over hundreds of conversations with him and the family, Brunner told Irwin about his great experiences of travel, patriotism and brotherhood. Irwin made up his mind, and enrolled in the delayed entry program before he’d even graduated high school.

After graduating in 2010, Irwin joined the Marines and began his 13-year stint with the Corps that started in Parris Island, South Carolina. He later spent time in California, Washington D.C., North Carolina and overseas for a tour in Afghanistan.

During his time in the military, Irwin and his family frequently made time to see each other. He also kept in touch over the phone, like when he called his half-sister Baley on her 16th birthday to sing for her. Even though she didn’t always get to see him, she still knew he cared. “People would always make sure that I knew how much he loved me,” Baley said.

“He was genuine,” said Brunner. “He was one of those types of people that everybody loved … I’ve never heard of anyone who didn’t like ‘Jer’ that met him.

According to Irwin’s mom, Cathleen Wilberg, he wanted to become a history teacher and hockey coach after graduating. He started playing the sport at 7-years-old, and wore the “C” for the team at Keystone Oaks High School. “I think he probably would have been the best hockey coach any high school ever could have had. He knew how to motivate people,” Brunner said.

Always an athlete, Irwin also played football in middle school, ran a half-marathon and earned a black belt in the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program. As hockey captain, Irwin’s leadership extended beyond the ice, where he would stick up for kids in his neighborhood from bullies and greet new students at school.

Irwin had recently struggled with mental health issues, according to his girlfriend, Nicole Dunn, and his treatment had been delayed at the VA.

Since leaving the Corps over a decade ago, Brunner has volunteered on behalf of veterans dealing with mental health struggles. He is the chairman of a mental health advocacy council for Pittsburgh Veterans. Years removed from his four-year service, the transition to civilian life is still a battle.
“There’s so many veterans suffering with mental health, with PTSD, with depression, anxiety,” he said. “When you’re in the military, you’re taught to mask those emotions, keep them to yourself, and unfortunately, it’s something that veterans carry on after they get out.”

Brunner said his passion is to raise awareness, and show veterans that help is available. Programs involve immersive retreats, phone hotlines and many different types of therapy for veterans struggling with the transition.

“They don’t have that brotherhood they were part of, especially Jer,” Brunner said. “Thirteen years and then you get out and you feel very alone, and it’s up to us to let other veterans know we’re there for them and not let them slip through the cracks.”

When Irwin separated from his ex-wife, his connection with Brunner severed. He said he didn’t know Irwin had left the Corps, let alone moved a few miles away. It’s something he said will stick with him the rest of his life, and will inspire him to work even harder to connect with struggling vets.

“Maybe the one good thing that could have come out of all this is that I will be unwaveringly passionate about every single veteran I speak to and getting them [the] help that they need,” he said. “Because I’ll be damned if I see this happen again, in a case where I could have helped and I wasn’t there to.”

Each member of Irwin’s family had their own memories they cherished with him.
For his mother, it was their time on the road, whether that be travelling to hockey games or going on vacations. Irwin’s warm presence made him easy to be around.
“He was very kind. He wasn’t a mommy’s boy, but we were pretty close. He was with me a lot, so we had a great relationship. It was just nice to hang out with him,” Wilberg said.
For Baley, it was the trips to Dairy Queen in his Jeep to get milkshakes.
For Dunn, it was the little things he did for her, like opening car doors and making sure she walked on the inside of the sidewalk. She said that despite the challenges that being a student fresh out of the military posed, Irwin still tried his best.
“He hated when there would be breaks. He used to just want to go to school to keep busy. He loved history,” Dunn said.
“He wasn’t someone who made much effort for you to like him. You couldn’t help but to love him,” Brunner said.

Remembering Zacharay T Arsenault
PFC - US Army
11/19/98 - 04/01/19

Zacharay was currently serving his country as a member of the United States Army. He was a graduate of Leominster High Schools class of 2017 and enlisted in the fall following his graduation. His hobbies were fishing, working on Jeeps, and spending time with family. Zach has an infectious smile. He touched the hearts of everyone he met. He had such a beautiful spirit that brightened any room he entered. No matter how long he was in your life or what role he played he left his mark. He will live in our hearts forever.