Posted on 03/15/2010 10:06:00 AM PDT by Recon Dad
POSTED: 12:36 p.m. EDT, Mar 15, 2010 An area Marine was critically injured when a bullet pierced his helmet in a battle in Afghanistan. Marine Gunnery Sgt. Robert L. Gilbert, 27, was removed from life support Sunday at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., where his family is at his bedside. Gilbert, a Revere High School graduate, was on his fifth tour of duty of the Middle East and his second tour in Afghanistan when his platoon was ambushed during a Special Operations mission, family friend Anthony Maroon said. The incident apparently happened sometime last Monday. ''He took a shot to the right side of his head'' from a high-powered rifle, Maroon said. In another incident — a couple of days earlier — Gilbert's Kevlar vest prevented a bullet from entering his body, Maroon said. ''It saved his life.'' Maroon said Gilbert had a bad feeling about the latest tour in Afghanistan. ''He thought the Taliban was after him and his days were numbered,'' Maroon said, recalling what Gilbert wrote in a note to his girlfriend. Maroon is best friends with Gilbert's father, Richfield police officer Bob Gilbert, who is with his son in Maryland. Last Wednesday, Bob Gilbert flew to Germany, where his son was stabilized after being transferred from Afghanistan. On Friday, the father and son arrived in Bethesda after flying on the same military airplane to the United States. Maroon, a local law enforcement officer, spoke Sunday night with Gilbert. ''He hasn't slept but maybe four hours in the last five days,'' Maroon said. ''He has been at his son's bedside. He won't leave.'' The Facebook site ''GySgt Robert Gilbert — A miracle in the making'' has attracted nearly 1,300 members. Bob Gilbert posted an update on the site that included this: ''I raised and enjoyed my son while he was stationed in his 'temporary home' on Earth and I am privileged and honored to embrace GySgt Robert as he exits this world . . . '' The son joined the Marines when he was 18 and at 21 became the youngest Marine ever promoted to the rank of gunnery sergeant, Maroon said. ''He's always been wanting to fight for his country,'' Maroon said. At one point, Gilbert expressed interest in becoming a state trooper. But his desire to remain in the Marines was strong. ''He said, 'I guess I'm going to retire from this and then pursue that,' '' Maroon said. ''He kind of laughed about it.'' Maroon said Gilbert's birthday is Tuesday. ________________________________________ Katie Byard can be reached at 330-996-3781 or kbyard@thebeaconjournal.com. An area Marine was critically injured when a bullet pierced his helmet in a battle in Afghanistan. Marine Gunnery Sgt. Robert L. Gilbert, 27, was removed from life support Sunday at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., where his family is at his bedside. Gilbert, a Revere High School graduate, was on his fifth tour of duty of the Middle East and his second tour in Afghanistan when his platoon was ambushed during a Special Operations mission, family friend Anthony Maroon said. The incident apparently happened sometime last Monday. ''He took a shot to the right side of his head'' from a high-powered rifle, Maroon said. In another incident — a couple of days earlier — Gilbert's Kevlar vest prevented a bullet from entering his body, Maroon said. ''It saved his life.'' Maroon said Gilbert had a bad feeling about the latest tour in Afghanistan. ''He thought the Taliban was after him and his days were numbered,'' Maroon said, recalling what Gilbert wrote in a note to his girlfriend. Maroon is best friends with Gilbert's father, Richfield police officer Bob Gilbert, who is with his son in Maryland. Last Wednesday, Bob Gilbert flew to Germany, where his son was stabilized after being transferred from Afghanistan. On Friday, the father and son arrived in Bethesda after flying on the same military airplane to the United States. Maroon, a local law enforcement officer, spoke Sunday night with Gilbert. ''He hasn't slept but maybe four hours in the last five days,'' Maroon said. ''He has been at his son's bedside. He won't leave.'' The Facebook site ''GySgt Robert Gilbert — A miracle in the making'' has attracted nearly 1,300 members. Bob Gilbert posted an update on the site that included this: ''I raised and enjoyed my son while he was stationed in his 'temporary home' on Earth and I am privileged and honored to embrace GySgt Robert as he exits this world . . . '' The son joined the Marines when he was 18 and at 21 became the youngest Marine ever promoted to the rank of gunnery sergeant, Maroon said. ''He's always been wanting to fight for his country,'' Maroon said. At one point, Gilbert expressed interest in becoming a state trooper. But his desire to remain in the Marines was strong. ''He said, 'I guess I'm going to retire from this and then pursue that,' '' Maroon said. ''He kind of laughed about it.'' Maroon said Gilbert's birthday is Tuesday.
Prayers up.
More prayers...
Hang tough Marine. Semper Fi
We are Recon Dad.
An area Marine was critically injured when a bullet pierced his helmet in a battle in Afghanistan.
Marine Gunnery Sgt. Robert L. Gilbert, 27, was removed from life support Sunday at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., where his family is at his bedside.
Gilbert, a Revere High School graduate, was on his fifth tour of duty of the Middle East and his second tour in Afghanistan when his platoon was ambushed during a Special Operations mission, family friend Anthony Maroon said.
The incident apparently happened sometime last Monday.
''He took a shot to the right side of his head'' from a high-powered rifle, Maroon said.
In another incident — a couple of days earlier — Gilbert's Kevlar vest prevented a bullet from entering his body, Maroon said.
''It saved his life.''
Maroon said Gilbert had a bad feeling about the latest tour in Afghanistan.
''He thought the Taliban was after him and his days were numbered,'' Maroon said, recalling what Gilbert wrote in a note to his girlfriend.
Maroon is best friends with Gilbert's father, Richfield police officer Bob Gilbert, who is with his son in Maryland.
Last Wednesday, Bob Gilbert flew to Germany, where his son was stabilized after being transferred from Afghanistan.
On Friday, the father and son arrived in Bethesda after flying on the same military airplane to the United States.
Maroon, a local law enforcement officer, spoke Sunday night with Gilbert.
''He hasn't slept but maybe four hours in the last five days,'' Maroon said. ''He has been at his son's bedside. He won't leave.''
The Facebook site ''GySgt Robert Gilbert — A miracle in the making'' has attracted nearly 1,300 members.
Bob Gilbert posted an update on the site that included this:
''I raised and enjoyed my son while he was stationed in his 'temporary home' on Earth and I am privileged and honored to embrace GySgt Robert as he exits this world . . . ''
The son joined the Marines when he was 18 and at 21 became the youngest Marine ever promoted to the rank of gunnery sergeant, Maroon said.
''He's always been wanting to fight for his country,'' Maroon said.
At one point, Gilbert expressed interest in becoming a state trooper. But his desire to remain in the Marines was strong.
''He said, 'I guess I'm going to retire from this and then pursue that,' '' Maroon said. ''He kind of laughed about it.''
Maroon said Gilbert's birthday is Tuesday.
Prayers up.
Prayers up Marine.
Thank you for the update. Praying for glory for Sgt Gilbert and comfort for his loved ones as they endure this trial.
Praying without ceasing.
Prayers continue.
Has this hero passed away?
Prayers for Gunnery Sgt. Robert Gilbert and his family. May God comfort them and give them strength.
......immediate prayers sent.......
Semper Fi, Marine
FWFS
Prayers RD. God’s hand of love and protection over this Marine and his family.
Prayers up for a miracle!!! And comfort and strength for all!!!
“Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me.”
more prayers ...healing
Devoted son. Devoted father. Semper Fidelis.
Indeed.
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