More than 60 people attended the departure party for Amelia police officer and Marine Corps MP Matt Braden, who is being deployed to Iraq this month.

Amelia Mayor Leroy Ellington said that the open house, held in council chambers Feb. 26, was a way to honor Braden’s willingness to serve our country and to provide his family and friends the opportunity to thank him for the sacrifice during this precarious time of war.

On behalf of the village, Mayor Ellington presented Braden, who was surrounded by his loved ones, an appreciation plaque, saying that “he is an example to us all.”

“We are all honored here tonight by not only Matt’s presence, but that of his family as well,” the mayor said. “I am certain that Matt is destined to be a great leader. He is already a great young man and as he matures through these experiences, we will see a great leader emerge. He was obviously born to serve and he already has the respect of Clermont County.

Born and raised in Withamsville, Braden, 26, joined the Amelia Police Department after graduating from the Clermont College Police Academy in 2004.