A tribute to a friend: SPC Clint Gertson. Miss you gerty!

[jizzmonkey]

As many of you knew, I had the pleasure of attending the memorial service for one of my good friends that didn't make it back home with us from Iraq. SPC Clint Gertson. Gerty was a great guy that nobody would ever have a bad thing to say about, the Minuit you meet him you would take a liking to him no matter who you were. On the 19th of February 2005 Gerty, Sgt Pense and I were tasked with escorting our C.O out on a patrol so that he could gather some info regarding an upcoming neighborhood medical screening that was going to take place in western Mosul. The C.O had just finished his meeting and we were about to mount back up on the Stryker like we had done 1000 time before, we were all looking forward to getting back to the FOB and going to the chow-hall together and talk about what we were going to do with our lives once we were done with our tours in the war. That never happened. As I pulled security facing down the road at the end of a culdesac Gerty was mounting back up and into the air guard hatch to pull security for me so that I could then do the same. I heard the distinct sound of a short burst from an AK-47 followed by the unforgettable SNAP! that a bullet makes when it's intended target was YOU. I looked over and saw Gerty with his eyes wide open looking straight at me then saying "Oh Fu*k!", he hit the ground and that was it. His face turned pale and I knew he was gone. The bullet had gone under his arm and straight through his chest exiting his shoulder, all his vital organs to include his heart weren't spared the path of the bullet. He died quickly. We tried so hard to get him breathing again even though we all knew it was pointless. We rushed to the cash and carried him in on our shoulders, that was the last time I saw Gerty, I remember looking at all the blood that was all over us and thinking how surreal the whole thing was. Once back in the states I never had the chance of meeting his family. I had seen them at the re-deployment ceremony last year but didn't have the guts to even speak to them...what could I say to them?..I felt like a sh*Tbag but couldn't bring myself to do it, I always regretted that. I heard through a friend a few months ago that Gerty's high school in a small town in Texas called Eagle Lake was dedicating a memorial to him and figured I would make up for it. I called all the guys I knew that were friends with him and we organized a group trip to be there. I was Finlay able to meet his father and tell him how sorry I was that I failed in not bringing us all home, it's a guilt that I'll probably have the rest of my life. I got a lot off my chest and actually had a good time with his family and "the guys", I think we all did some healing this week. Here are some photos of the trip and a short video of the service itself.

VIDEO:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0Hj_vDRzWU


Pictures on the user submitted album:

Presenting Gerty's dad Gayle with a flag that we always kept on the Stryker while in Iraq (He and his family have gotten several flags but this one was special..it still had Iraqi dust and dirt all over it..it had more character than the average flag)

[/URL]
(http://media.militaryphotos.net/photos/jizzmonkey/afp?full=1)

The guys at the cemetary
Bartel, Scott, Boss, Pinnick, Leopfe, Brown, Lama, Me, Cruver, Pense, Dewald



[URL="http://media.militaryphotos.net/photos/jizzmonkey/afm?full=1"] (http://media.militaryphotos.net/photos/jizzmonkey/afo?full=1)

The display case at the highschool and his grave.

[Johnny_H]

RIP and God Bless.

Im sorry to hear about your friend dude, my deepest thoughts and condolences.

[jizzmonkey]

I don't mean to keep posting threads on the same topic..but I know a lot of you had PM'd me before the ceremony last week so I figured I would post an update on how the ceremony went..it was a rough veterans day, but a good trip all in all.

[jizzmonkey]

[MPNFL]

*salute*

God bless

[gaijinsamurai]

Rest in Peace, Specialist Gertson.
I'm sorry to hear about your loss, Jizzmonkey.
Much respect.

[jizzmonkey]

nevermind........ re-post

Thanks guys for the support. Punkass and I got sh*tty drunk with Gerty's dad and had a good time, I had never expierenced Texas hospitality and I have to say it's one of a kind.

[Midav]

Thanks for posting Jizz. How did the parents receive you all?

[jizzmonkey]

Thanks for posting Jizz. How did the parents receive you all?

Dude...they were The best. I have new Adopted parents in a small town in Texas...I broke down and told the guy how sorry I was that I couldn't save Gerty and I feel responsible because I was standing right next to him when He got shot. It's been eating away at me for a while and getting drunk with the guy and pouring my heart out to him gave him and I both some closure. This trip was really good for me, I felt like a huge weight was lifted off of me. sorry..don't mean to get sappy..but We all came back from that place pretty messed up. To think you'll come back unscathed mentally is foolish. I made sure to tell Gayle that he had succeeded in raising one hell of a man and that Gerty had more character than most guys I know, he broke down in tears.....long story short, it was a buch of grown men crying like a bunch of little bitches.

[Andreas]

Reading this story gives me chills. I read about your friend before, im sorry for your loss.
I hope meeting his parents gave you some closeure, and it seems it has in some small way.

I was debating back and forth about this, but Il take a chance.
Here Are a couple of pictures of your friend, so others reading this thread can have a face to go with your story about your friend.
If it is inappropriate I will remove ASAP.



R.I.P SPC Clint Gertson.

Words dont... you know..

Andreas

[jizzmonkey]

Andreas,

It's all good man

[Andreas]

Andreas,

It's all good man

I was pretty much counting on you would say that..

Catch you on the flipside

[usarfang]

<img src="http://media.militaryphotos.net/photos/albums/jizzmonkey/afq.sized.jpg"> i swear that fool did not sign that thing...

[zoidberg]

<img src="http://media.militaryphotos.net/photos/albums/jizzmonkey/afq.sized.jpg"> i swear that fool did not sign that thing...

I dont know if Bush signs these letters or not, but you should watch your language in such a thread.

Moving story, gives you a view behind the news reports through showing his parents, funeral and friends. He seemed to be a huge and nice bloke, sorry for your loss.
Thanks for posting this.

[jizzmonkey]

<img src="http://media.militaryphotos.net/photos/albums/jizzmonkey/afq.sized.jpg"> i swear that fool did not sign that thing...

Actually....That is ONE presidential signature that he DOES sign himself, at least thats what his parents said...GW actually meet with them being a fellow Texan last summer, The Gertson's went to Crawford back when that Cindy Sheehan was camping out on his lawn, maybe a PR move but cool nontheless. After meeting with him, the Gertson family "counter" protested Cindy Sheehan. As a matter of fact Gerty's mom was threatning to kick Sheehans ass as long as MR Gertson would bail her out of jail..never happened (punching her that is):) ..but it would have been a cool story

[Digital Marine]

I remember seeing a tribute video for him to Tim McGraw's 'Carry On', every time i listen to that song i think of Gertson's video.

Thanks for posting this, watching his friend trying to find the words to say something about Gertson gave me a lump in my throat.

[Chatnick]

RIP and God Bless

[Kevlarhead]

RIP to your friend Gertson. And may you and his parrents all find a way through your common sorrow. I´m sure it took a lot of guts to go see your friends parrents, but you did what you had to do, which was the right thing for all of you, and I´m very convinced that because of it, both you and Gertsons parrents will go through this a little easier.
You are a good man Jizz.
Respect.

[kinsella]

Another hero that gave his life to help keep us safe.

God bless you SPC Gertson.

[fantomas]

RIP Clint.

[jizzmonkey]

RIP to your friend Gertson. And may you and his parrents all find a way through your common sorrow. I´m sure it took a lot of guts to go see your friends parrents, but you did what you had to do, which was the right thing for all of you, and I´m very convinced that because of it, both you and Gertsons parrents will go through this a little easier.
You are a good man Jizz.
Respect.

It WAS rough, but I feel like a weight was lifted off of me after being there.

[Rakkasans]

RIP Specialist Gertsen... head on over "to the right of the line" son.

As one who has had the responsibility and duty to contact personally the parents, wives and loved ones of those KIA In my charge, I can assure you that a little piece of every leader dies with each one. Just remember that the important measure of a man isn't that they died... but how they lived.

Peace

[Midav]

Dude...they were The best. I have new Adopted parents in a small town in Texas...I broke down and told the guy how sorry I was that I couldn't save Gerty and I feel responsible because I was standing right next to him when He got shot. It's been eating away at me for a while and getting drunk with the guy and pouring my heart out to him gave him and I both some closure. This trip was really good for me, I felt like a huge weight was lifted off of me. sorry..don't mean to get sappy..but We all came back from that place pretty messed up. To think you'll come back unscathed mentally is foolish. I made sure to tell Gayle that he had succeeded in raising one hell of a man and that Gerty had more character than most guys I know, he broke down in tears.....long story short, it was a buch of grown men crying like a bunch of little bitches.

Hey, if crying like little bitches helped with the healing process then there ain't nothing wrong with that! You have spoken about Gerty many times and am sure he was hell of a good guy!!!

[Ballistic.]

Thanks for sharing something so personal Jizz. I remember you talking about the death of your friend a while ago. I'm glad that you had the chance to meet his parents and "heal" just a little bit.

My Grandad died a few weeks ago, so I guess I know a similar pain of losing someone special and someone close. May your friend Rest in Peace.

[jizzmonkey]

Hey, if crying like little bitches helped with the healing process then there ain't nothing wrong with that! You have spoken about Gerty many times and am sure he was hell of a good guy!!!

Yeah..we all felt like a bunch of idiots..but it was good. Eagle Lake Texas made Feb 19 "Clint Gertson day"..they passed a city ordnance.