By Kelly McBrideFor the Wausau Daily HeraldANTIGO - Those who knew Marine Lance Cpl. John Mattek Jr. say he gave everything he had to everything he did.A mourning Wisconsin community honored Mattek's legacy Monday as the man it knew as Johnny was buried with full military honors following a standing-room-only funeral service at St. John Catholic Church in Antigo.The 1,000 mourners who packed the church told only part of the story. As the funeral procession wound its way to St. Wencel's Cemetery, residents sat sentinel on porches, stood silently waving flags or just paused a moment on the side of Highway 45 to pay their respects. Amid flags flying half-staff, restaurant and gas station signs reading "Our hero - John Mattek Jr." and other tributes, family and friends prepared to say goodbye.Mattek, a former University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point student and 1999 graduate of Antigo High School, died June 13 from injuries suffered June 8 during combat operations in Iraq. He was 24. When John Mattek Jr. left for Iraq, he left a letter with his family, telling them they'd know when the time was right to read it. If he returned, he said, he expected the letter back unopened. The letter is dated March 3.The flag stands for freedom and I will defend her. No matter what the cause, because the cause is just paperwork for the weak. It's the buddy to my left and right that will be defended by my hand, my blade, my bullet. I will fear no man, no enemy. I will forego heaven if hell is where the fight is. I have done what I have done and I will do what I will do. At the end of the day God will decide where my soul lay. Upon the arrival of this day there will be peace on the battlefield and at home. Thy shall not mourn my death, but celebrate my life. Because every man dies, but not every man really lives. I have lived ...USMC Infantry Lcpl. Mattek, J.J.. But even as his family and community mourned the loss of Mattek, they celebrated the man - and the U.S. Marine - he had been. Recalling the high school commencement speech her big brother gave in 1999, 18-year-old Jill Mattek told the packed church that "it takes a little more to be a champion.""He never second-guessed anything," Jill Mattek said. "He joined the Marines to fight (for) a cause, a cause he truly believed in. ... He died on the battlefield. Johnny doesn't want us to mourn today. He wants us to celebrate his life. He had what it took to be a champion."After Jill Mattek spoke of her brother's zest for life, Matt Mattek, 16, read the letter Johnny left behind in case he didn't return. The hand-lettered words that were printed in each funeral bulletin reiterated the Marine's commitment to cause and country."Upon the arrival of this day, there will be peace on the battlefield and at home," Matt Mattek read. "Thy shall not mourn my death, but celebrate my life. Because every man dies. But not every man really lives. I have lived."As Jill and Matt Mattek returned to their seats, a moment of absolute silence was ended by thunderous applause.Eight Marines escorted Mattek's flag-draped casket during the funeral, followed during the processional and recessional by his parents, John Sr. and Marsha Mattek, younger siblings Jill and Matt Mattek and oldest sister Katie Devore, her husband, Mike, and son, Bryce. Five-year-old Bryce, Mattek's nephew, sat in his grandmother's arms as mourners filed out from the pews during Communion. Some paused, heads bowed, to lay a hand on the casket.During his homily, the Rev. Jeremiah Worman also recalled Mattek's speech from high school graduation. At the end of the speech - which was replayed during Sunday's visitation at the Bradley Funeral Home in Antigo - Mattek had paused to request a moment of silence for those classmates who might not make it to their 10th high school reunion."Today," Worman said as he concluded the homily, "let us give that moment of silence."Everyone did.At Mattek's graveside, he was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart, the honor bestowed upon members of the military wounded or killed in combat. Marsha Mattek accepted the award on her son's behalf.As the Marines gave their 21-gun salute and the low, sorrowful sound of "Taps" cut through the humid air, the muffled sniffles of mourners became audible sobs. Receiving a folded American flag, Marsha Mattek clutched the banner tightly as the graveside service wound down.Lingering near her brother's grave as mourners began to disperse, Jill Mattek seemed reluctant to leave. Finally, she blew a kiss, gave a little wave toward the casket and walked away.During the ceremony, Johnny's little sister had read from his letter home dated May 26."If ultimate victory can only be gained when I am laid to rest, then I shall sleep well," the letter said. "And you shall, too."