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@katiecouric : Today I had the privilege of attending the service of Thanksgiving and Remembrance for Matthew Wayne Shepard. I covered this story 20 years ago when Matthew was murdered in Laramie, Wyoming. He was abducted by two men he met in a pub, brutally beaten and pistol whipped before they took him and tied his body to a fence. Matthew was 21 years old and a small man - 5’2” and 105 pounds. When a cyclist saw him the next morning he thought he was a scarecrow and the first police officer on the scene saw Matthew was barely breathing, his face covered with blood except for the lines where his tears had fallen. There was also a deer that was lying on the ground next to him that scampered away when help arrived. Matthew was in a coma and died six days later. Judy and Dennis Shepard are two of my personal heroes. They have taken their son’s tragic, senseless death and have become warriors against anti gay violence and hate. Judy has spoken to some 2 million people and has left those who have heard her forever changed. Today, Matthew’s ashes were finally laid to rest at Washington National Cathedral. It was a profoundly moving service and I’m so grateful I was there to honor him and pay my respects. He had not been buried because there was deep concern that his grave would be desecrated. As the right Reverend V. Gene Robinson-the first openly gay bishop in the Episcopal Church-said during his homily, “Gently rest in this place. You are safe now. And Matt...welcome home.” It was a beautiful, haunting service. If anyone is interested in Matthew and the impact he had in his too short life, you can support the important work of the Matthew Shepard Foundation. And please try to live a life of compassion and grace. (www.matthewshepard.org) #restinpeacematthew #matthewshepard