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 inbound for this fine Marine!
I pray for you and your family
Prayers.
Semper Fi.
God Bless our Warriors.
We are all praying for Rob...stay strong! Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday, Sgt. Gilbert! I am praying for you and your family.
Recon Dad, I am so sorry to hear about your son. He as well as your family are in my prayers as well as my families. My Godson James Robles was with your son when he was hit. He sat with your son until help arrived. My Godson sends his prayers to you and your son. Your son is his best friend and James is torn up about this. Please tell your sons, on behalf of James that his brother is praying for him and will see him in June when he comes home. Please keep us posted so that we can inform James of your sons status. God Bless!!!!!!
Evelyn Blodgett
Rob's family and friends have established a group Facebook page where you can leave messages and find out the latest news.
GySgt Robert Gilbert~ A miracle in the making
Continued prayers for our beloved GSgt. Gilbert and for his family.
Lord, you are our defense we shall not be moved. We pray your hand of healing on this young Marine’s body. You are the Great Physician. We commit him to you and trust his life and care to your loving hands. Our trust is in you and you alone. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
BTTT
Prayers continue for all. This is rough.
certainly will, had been wondering how he is doing
Rob’s fight is over. Please pray for his family and team.
Holy Father, we pray to You for the family and team of Rob in this dire hour. Please hold them in Your loving and compassionate hands and grant them all the grace and mercy to get through the coming days. We also ask that Rob will come into Your kingdom and be reunited with all the angels and saints and his loved ones again. Thank you Father for the love and concern and outreach of Recon Dad and his son for his team mate and friend. Amen.
I am so, so sorry. We will be praying for his family, his team, and his fellow Brothers who have lost one of their own.
Psalm 23
A Psalm of David.
1 The LORD is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
3 He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell[a] in the house of the LORD
Forever.
Rest in Peace, Gunny! Semper Fi!
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