Greg Commons
Father of Corporal Matthew Commons, USA

Teaches 12th Grade US Government at Annandale HS.   Every year, on the anniversary of his son’s death, he gives a class on the war to his students. As he has each year around the anniversary of his son's death, Commons set aside one period in each of his classes yesterday and Thursday to talk about his son, civic duty and a battle that killed seven soldiers.

Father of 4 boys:   Matt would be 26 now if alive; others are Aaron 23, graduate student of organic chemistry at VA Tech; Patrick 15, freshman at West Potomac HS in Fairfax County PS; Thomas 12, 7th grade at Carl Sandburg MS. 

Wife Linda S. Chapman, administrative law judge for the Dept. of Labor.

Taught in Fairfax County Public Schools for 9 years. 

Served in the Marines, 1969-1973, Embassy Guard in the former Czechoslovakia.

“At age 36, I decided to go to college to get my degree.  Did college part-time until age 39 then quit my job to go full-time.  Received my degree in History in 1996 and went on to get my Masters in teaching in 1998.  While going to college helped older sons with growing up while changing diapers for my younger two boys.  Tried to raise my sons the way my father raised me.”