Gary:
It was five years ago this morning when I got the awful news so even though July 21st is the horrible date, I think of the 21st as my last day of ignorant bliss.

A few weeks ago it was the TWENTIETH anniversay of Tiannamen (spelling? who gives a f) Square. I recall how we watched that incident in the hotel the night before going to PLC-Srs and we didn't give a shit about anything in China that's for sure. Twenty years man, can you believe it? Remember that Staff Sergeant Instructor who said to you, "Candidate, you got no lack of discipline!" and like the smart ass you are you said, "Thank you, Sergeant Instructor!"

I talked to your mom Monday night and was in a much better mood after that, strangely enough considering everything. I remember how full of life you were even in your darkest days, always doing stuff and never letting situations get the best of you. You were always in charge of yourself, even when everything around you might have been chaotic. I try to remember that example you set and apply it. It's not easy.

Anyway, not much going on here in New York, except that we have two puppies now and they take all our time. You would love them both, I remember how upset you when my little dachshund Rocky would get the best of your Gomez. Well these littls guys are FIERCE. Too fearless actually, they think Dobermans and Rottweilers are their equals. The girl is a total slut too, she concerns me. Don't see how people have kids I would be a basketcase.

Here are some pics:



















Whatever advance party you're on for the rest of us, I hope you get everything squared away before we get there, don't f it up, okay? Yoo know me, I don't want much, just a beachfront villa and five-star restaurants.

I miss you and it doesn't get any easier. Whatever fool said "Time heals all wounds" never had a real wound, that's for sure.

All our love
Rich

5 years later

Gary,
5 years seems so long ago now but at the same time that day is fresh in my mind (a little after midnight on the 22nd actually for me). It's funny how you can sometimes not remember what you did the day before but some days stay with you for your whole life. We all miss you and time won't change that.

Happy 41st Birthday Gary

It's hard to believe another birthday is here. It is always a bitter sweet day, but I know each one of us who love you, while at the same time missing you, are celebrating the beautiful life you lived and what you meant to each of us individually. You did live your life to the fullest and blessed every one of us.  Even though you accomplished so much, it was always people that were most important to you. You made sure those in your life knew they mattered--both to you and as individuals--and what a difference this made to so many lives, including my own. Thank you for this. Thank you for sharing your life, your friendship, your spirit. Happy 41st Birthday to you Gary.

Elizabeth

Happy Birthday Slim

We visited today;

John, Katherine and me, to wish you a Happy Birthday.

Rosecrans is such a beautiful place and being with the kids makes it easier. They love visiting you and the questions they ask always amaze me and make me smile.

I imagine you are smiling when you hear them too! And likely thinking up some smart-alec answer that I would end up having to explain!

We all love you, miss you and think of you every day.

Happy Birthday my friend.

Love

Tammy

Happy Birthday Gary

Happy Birthday Gary. If you taught us all one thing it was to be happy with what we have and what we are doing. There is a soldier in my church that has been in Iraq. He has been at church for the last couple Sundays. To see him with the two small children that were with him reminds me that we all have something for which to be thankful. Not knowing the soldier, I would assume being home for Christmas has to be a blessing.

Gary and his birthday reminds me that we all need to live, love and enjoy the time that we have with the people that mean the most. I will always remember Gary and the time I did spend with him, which looking back I always wish was more. He was an important person in many people's lives. He was a friend, brother, son, officer and he would have been a great father too I'm sure even though his time on earth must not have been meant for that.

One thing I think we can all do on his birthday is remember Gary's life. Birthday's are meant for celebrating life, not death, so even though it is a difficult day for those close to him, maybe we can remember all the good things and smile a little through the tears.

Happy Birthday Gary!

What makes it so happy

Without you here, "Happy" Birthday tomorrow seems like the wrong thing to say, but when I think about all the happy times we had, it DOES seem appropriate, in its own way. I remember how happy we were to get 24 hours off on the weekend at Officer Candidate School and how happier still to be graduating. Bar hopping in Columbia, crashing on the floor in the OSO's office, how you learned how to water ski in like 15 minutes. Happy to finish a 5-mile run across the levees at Clemson, or atop the hill in beautiful Laguna Beach. I remember how happy I was to get a phone call from you because we sure as hell didn't make those calls frequently enough. I was always happy to know how in synch we were with our lives even if we were apart.



I was glad to know you were getting happy again, I could tell it in your voice the last time we talked. And I can't help but believe that you are happy wherever you are now and that someday we will be reunited and the happy days will resume.



You would love my new puppy, he's pretty fierce, he's friendly, everyone loves him, but he's aggressive and not afraid of anything. Many times I've wished you could meet him. So here's a pic...

Gary, I wanted to make a post on Veteran's Day because on days like this I want you to be reminded that you are our Hero. Have been thinking of you all day, feeling proud of how you served our country but also wishing so intensely that you were still here. I was thinking about the time you helped me write a paper for school on honoring our veterans and how much I learned from listening to your own personal perspective. I remember thinking how wonderful a process it turned out to be, I started with an academic assignment but ended up with something  that ultimately was very personal, meaningful and concluded with a better understanding of the honor that is due to our serviceman.  I learned a great deal from you in our relatively short period of time. You taught me about forgiveness (deserved or not, you gave it), about humility (honest humility--even though you were the most amazing man I had ever met), about selflessness (always, always thinking of other people and other people's needs), about compassion (you had the biggest heart), about tolerance (I never heard you judge someone else and your example kept me in check) and of course, about living life with steadfast dedication and full ambition (your dedication and ambition to excellence in life remains to this day my biggest inspiration). Anyone who knows you would say "Yep, you must be talking about Gary!". It goes without saying that the life you led is a living example of those virtues I strive to imitate. I hope you know the gifts you gave to us while you were here. And how I miss you more than ever. 

Here's to you on Veteran's Day!

Elizabeth Hansson