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

getting old

Gary - miss you. Was just thinking about you and how much you meant and still mean to me. you've got a birthday coming up. 41. Wow. You bastard, you'll never get old fat bald or gray. You'll always be the young physically fit prophet of mass in our minds. Hey, wherever you are, don't push them too hard. Not everyone can be a Marine. But I do expect pefect PT scores by the time I get there.
S/F
Rich

From Gary's roommate at Quantico...

I was just talking to an old Marine Corps buddy and I got to wondering how other friends from my days in the Corps were doing. I did search on Gary and was shocked and saddened to read about his death.

Gary was my roommate at the Basic School. He was a great friend and motivator. I was introduced to his family during our training in Quantico when he and I took a trip to Spartanburg. His father and brother (I don’t remember which brother) made sure we felt at home when we were awoken with a live rendition of Revelry. I regret loosing touch with Gary over the many years and feel for his family.

I last saw Gary at Camp Pendleton when he came to visit his friend Rich Merritt, then serving at 3d LAAD Battalion. He was now an official aviator in the United States Marine Corp. I’m glad he was able to fulfill his dream. You couldn’t help but feel good for him and I knew the Marine Corps got a good man to fly fighters for them.

God bless and Semper Fidelis Gary. Thank you for being a friend.

Patrick GallagherCaptain, USMC
August 27, 2008 2:37 PM

On my mind...

Gary you have been on my mind and heart all week. It's peculiar how without even looking at the calendar we know the date by what is etched in our hearts. I look to the sky often, knowing you continue to soar above us and know one day we will meet again. You are loved and missed.

Carolyn

Gary,

Yesterday was Memorial Day. I think of your everyday.  I miss you everyday.  I thank God for you and for the life you lived and the joy you gave to me and to each person you interacted with.  But yesterday I thought of you-- The Marine, The Soldier, the ultimate sacrifice you gave to our country.  You loved this country, you were genuinely patriotic and so proud to serve.  We are honored, this entire Nation, your family, your friends who love you dearly, are honored and humbled by the years of service and the passion and dedication you served with until the last moment.   And now you live on, in another form, but just as much in my heart and each day in my memory. 

Thank you, Gary, for loving our country, for loving what you did, for protecting our freedom and serving with such honor. I am so proud to know you, Major Gary Robert Fullerton USMC.

Elizabeth Hansson

Thinking Of You Always

Happy Birthday Gary - you will always be remembered on your special day. Know
that we continue to keep you in our thoughts at all times. Mary Harp

Happy Birthday Gary

You are in our thoughts especially today. I can't help but think of what we would be doing today as it is your 40th, it would be so much fun. I would be calling you old, and you would tell me that "it's OK because i will never be as old as you Mum"

I love you Gary and miss you more than words can express.

Mum