His Legacy Lives On
Captain Skip Wiegand ’73, USN (Ret.), and his wife Margaret, parents of Matthew A. Wiegand ’08, a helicopter pilot who passed away during a training mission in Yuma, AZ, honored their son’s legacy by launching the Matthew M. Wiegand, USMC, USNA ’08 Memorial Scholarship and the Major Matthew M. Wiegand History Internship through the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association & Foundation. The internship fund allows a midshipman to study at the Marine Corps History Center at Quantico.
“Our son was a Foundation Scholar through the Athletic & Scholarship Programs, so when all this happened, we wished to preserve his memory with something that can grow, something that’s alive and well … and a direct service to recipients,” said the Wiegands.
“We have needed to keep busy after our son’s death, and I think as a couple we have made the most of our time.” Married 44 years, Wiegand met his wife on a blind date around Halloween. “I got treated, she got tricked.”
The first Major Matthew M. Wiegand, USMC, USNA ’08 Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Tanner Russell from Kalispell, MT who attended Northwestern Prep. “Tanner is doing well, and we’re pleased with that.”
“Matt also loved lacrosse and was a member of the Naval Academy Club Lacrosse Team. We are happy to continue support of the team through donations to the Foundation, where Matt’s teammate and great friend Colin Smith ‘09 is now the coach of the club. The team dedicated its 2019 national championship season to Matt, and we continue to cheer the team on.”
Two friends and fellow Marines, Major Matt Wood ’08, USMC, and Major Brooke Datko ’08 (nee Campbell), USMC, both instructors at the Academy at the time, helped launch the internship idea. Two midshipmen per year with an interest in history (Matt’s major at the Academy)—and potential USMC service selectees—would spend a summer training period at MCAB Quantico doing research at both the USMC archives and at the National Museum of Marine Corps. This research would also provide a basis for a Capstone project—the culminating academic experience for all 1/C midshipmen.
The first two midshipmen who participated were Midshipman Colin Brennan ’23 and Midshipman Cannon Breen ’23. “We were delighted to meet these three outstanding recipients and are grateful to the Foundation and the History Department for arranging these meetings. Over time, we’ll keep checking up on them to keep it vibrant.”
After the establishment of the scholarship and internship, the couple explored other possibilities. The U.S. Marine representative at the Academy introduced them to Major General James Lukeman, president and CEO of the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation, with a mission to support educational activities and exhibits at the National Museum of the Marine Corps.
Matt began flying with his dad at age 12 at NAS JRB Willow Grove. His father said he was destined to be an aviator and loved his tours at MAWTS-1 as a student and an instructor, so something related to Marine aviation seemed a perfect fit.
The Wiegands now sponsor two exhibits at the National Museum of the Marine Corps. The first educates visitors about Major Gregory “Pappy” Boyington, the father of Marine Aviation, and the second will be a hanging AH-1W Super Cobra—the same helicopter once flown by Matt.
“Giving in this way never makes you quite whole, but it makes you happy,” said the Wiegands.