For All To Witness:

Poetry From Iraq War to DMT

Oakland, California. November 2019

– Iraq War Veteran releases a collection of poetry written through the Iraq War and while readjusting to civilian life.

Currently available in paperback and on Kindle in the Amazon store titled “For All to Witness: Poetry from Iraq War to DMT” ,

is a collection of poetry written by American Iraq War Veteran and Oakland resident, Matthew Childers.

Matthew is originally from Ona, West Virginia. He grew up out a country road raised in a good family spending most of his time playing outside with kids who lived nearby or playing video games with his little brother. Matthew began getting in a lot of trouble in high school and barely graduated. Looking for opportunity Matthew joined the Marines just after graduating at 17 years old in June of 2002.

“I wanted to learn self discipline, travel the world, make money for college, and have experiences outside of my home town.”

It is experience and travel Matthew would get, as he was on his way to the Middle East only a month after graduating from Infantry School. Matthew participated in the invasion of Iraq in March of 2003 with his unit 1st Battalion 4th Marines acting as the spear tip. Following the invasion a majority of Matthew’s time was spent occupying an old pistol factory in Al Hillah while conducting local raids, patrols, and security checkpoints.

The second deployment was focused around re securing Najaf Iraq, but also providing combat support during the battle of Fallujah. Matthew was a fire team leader during the battle of Najaf fighting against the Muhadi Militia.

Upon returning from Iraq after his second deployment Matthew finished his four year contract and moved to Santa Cruz where he founded the local chapter of Iraq Veterans Against the War. Matthew moved to Oakland in 2010 to pursue his goals of becoming a professional artist, and now works as an interactive programmer and animator doing visuals for concerts, music festivals, and clubs featuring bass music artists. He is one of the resident VJ’s of Oakland’s own “Wormhole Entertainment”.

Matthew decided to compile the poetry written through his deployments, and ‘out the otherside’.

Check out “For All To Witness: Poetry from Iraq War to DMT” in the Amazon store.

-Maya Love

November 24th 2019