Christopher Gathercole Obituary

He was truly a hero to the very end. We met afterward and the floor collapsed due to the number of Brothers who came together to honor him. Keep leading!

I never got to meet you, family circumstances kept us apart. But you will always have a place in my heart.

Today I ran a four-mile race in East Northport NY entitled "I did the Grid" to honor fallen veterans. SPC Christopher Gathercole's name was on my race bib. Please accept my deepest condolences and know that he is not forgotten.

To the family and friends of Spc. Christopher Gathercole:
It has truly been my honor to sign Christopher's guest book these past few years. Unfortunately, due to complications from my Multiple Sclerosis, this may be the last message I'm able to write. Please forgive me and know that Christopher will always be remembered in my home.
With love and respect ~ Peggy

Hello,
We just wanted to express our condolences to the Gathercole Family and friends. We want you to know that we have sent a donation in Christopher's name, to the Second Ranger Battalion Assistance Foundation. We realize that this is a humble tribute, but we want you to know that it is heartfelt and made possible by thousands of youth hockey players, their families and friends. May God bless you and keep you strong.
Sincerely,
Charlie Gili & Family
On Behalf of the US Hockey Players Support Our Troops Campaign

Thank you Christopher for your service and sacrifice for us.

May 26, 2012
To the family and friends of Spc. Christopher Gathercole:
Always remembering Christopher. "Some gave all."

Chris you always did your best going "above and beyond" whatever the task. I often laugh to myself when I remember all the good times we shared. I will never forget the RIP cadres faces when they tried to punish you for getting caught chewing tobacco. After you gladly ate one solid can of Copenhagen, the cadre asked you if you had any other cans. I was amazed that you went back to your locker got another new can of Copenhagen, cracked it open and started to consume it with a smile on your face. It was impossible to contain my laughter and I always will appreciate the time that we spent together. RLTW!

You will never be forgotten brother!! I am planning on visiting your home city this summer to pay you a visit!

Merry Christmas Christopher. You are NEVER forgotten. God Bless You & your family!

Happy Heavenly Birthday Christopher on this 25th Anniversary of your birth. Although I never knew you I will NEVER forget you. God Bless You!

Hey Brother, your Weapons Squad Leader SFC Leroy Petry, got a Medal of Honor, but I'm sure your Soul already knew that. And the president sends you his praises, I felt you were there, as he shook my hand, and as I looked into his eyes. It was for you brother. You were on National TV bro! You are not forgotten but greatly missed. Love you Gator, Thank you all. Edward Gathercole

Please accept my deepest sympathies.

To the family and friends of Spc. Christopher Gathercole:
Please accept my remembrance of Christopher on the anniversary of his passing and know that he will never be forgotten.

Chris, I think about you often. I wish I could have taken your place that day. I think about what a great Ranger you were, and what kind of a Ranger you would have become...far better then I could ever have dreamed to be. RLTW! -SSG Milosevic

Merry Christmas Christopher. You & Your Family are in my thoughts & prayers today....you are NEVER forgotten. God Bless You All!

To the Gathercole family:
May the comfort from family and friends continue to strengthen you, and may you find comfort in the words found in the Holy Scriptures: "And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away."

To the family and friends of Spc. Christopher Gathercole:
Remembering Christopher on the anniversary of his passing. May our fallen heroes never be forgotten!
Peggy Childers
"Don't Let The Memory Of Them Drift Away"
www.IraqWarHeroes.org

Chris,
You are dearly missed by so many people. You have deeply touched everyone whose path crossed with yours. Even though we hadn't talked the last few years, I have never forgotten you, and never will. It's not fair that you were taken from so many but apparently there are greater plans for you...until we meet again...I love and miss you so much!

What an old Marine has been doing sence Sept. 15 2002 Now 11,500 miles run for Gold Star Families,go to the link

Here is the video of the interview -

http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/video?id=6831377

Hey Chris, A whole year has passed. It doesn't seem possible that all of this really happened, but it did and it is still painful to digest... I will come by to see you today and bring you some flowers. We all miss you Chris, we always will... 'til we meet again

Dear Christopher & Family...You were all in our thoughts & Prayers on this Memorial Day as always. We shall never forget. Thank you for your service & sacrifce. God Bless You All.

To the family of Spc. Christopher Gathercole:
Christopher gave the ultimate sacrifice and will be held in the hearts of Americans forever. I cannot and will not let our fallen heroes be forgotten. My deepest sympathy to you. "Some gave all."
Peggy Childers
"Don't Let The Memory Of Them Drift Away"
www.IraqWarHeroes.org

Chris,

It's about a year since you passed away. Just wanted to let you know that it's still like it was yesterday that all of this happened. I was with you on that helicopter working to save you that night/morning. I still work to try to get over what happened that night. I still have the US Flag that was with us on that aircraft as well. If I can, I will deliver it to your family should they want it. Take care man, you're in a much better place. Stand tall, Ranger.

RLTW,
ATW,

Art

hey chris, just thinking about you today and missing you greatly. cant say much without the tears and i know you wouldnt want that so just gonna say i love you....

Think about you every day Chris, you were a saint to me, and you will always be close to my heart. I love and miss you

We love our Soldiers! We love our country and we cannot express enough love and compassion to the families at this time. This is a Nonprofit Organization to honor are Soldiers!
FREE OIL ON CANVAS PAINTING OF THIS HERO. COMPLETE FORM AT WWW.HEROPAINTINGS.COM
Please contact us! Contact us directly at [email protected] or go to www.heropaintings.com. If you have already had a portrait completed, we pray that you are enjoying the portrait and God Bless You.
Sincerely,
Kenna

Me again Chris, just wanted to share a picture I took when I came to see you today. Still no marker, but what I found at your gravesite was a lot of love; birthday balloons, a cherished picture of you and your Grandmother (I believe), which had a note to you on the back expressing love and birthday wishes. There were white roses, a red, white and blue pinwheel spinning madly in the breeze and American Flags flapping to attention! We all miss you Chris and we will always remember you, our Hero, our American Soldier.

I know you are watching over all of us Gator. I know that you have seen every single tear that has been shed by every person who misses you and loves you so much. You know how much we all think about you and smile when the thought of you is in our minds throughout each day. You have impacted so many people and their lives. You should have been here to celebrate your 22nd birthday. You should have been here dancing and partying like a rockstar, but God needed you more up there. Not a day goes by where I don't hear your voice or see your face in my head. You are missed beyond belief. I can't wait until the day I finally get to see you in Heaven. You are my angel. My Casper forever. Jack Johnson songs and lyrics will always be ours. You are my hero. You are America's hero. I love you!

Happy birthday Chris, wish you were here to celebrate it with us. I felt you with me on the day I brought you the yellow roses... thank you for making me laugh... see you again next month with more love and flowers so you wont be lonely. Maybe you'll have a marker by then. Miss you... Forever my Hero

Happy Birthday Chris,
I miss you and love you so much. I wish you were still here and I think about you everyday. Thank you for being such a wonderful person and always makin everyone smile including me. I was blessed to have you as my cousin, and to be able to have spent a lot of time with you! I love you and will tell the girls about their uncle who's a HERO everyday. I love you Chris. RIP.

Funny how things happen Chris, you were weighing heavy on my mind today, and I didn't even realize it was your birthday. You are missed.

Chris,
Happy Birthday in Heaven. May God hold you in the palm of His hand. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

I still remember when you got caught dipping the morning we were graduating rip, and what you had to do in order to graduate, because you wanted it that bad. Me and Gasper still remember you and talk about you.

A special thanks to whomever made the anonymous donation to IVAWs DC chapter. The donation was made in the name of 21 year old SPC Christopher Gathercole of Santa Rosa, CA who was killed in Afghanistan on May 26, 2008.
These are the types of actions that choke me up and keep me going on those rough and long nights.
Chris you are now and will always be a brother in arms.
¡Presente!

I miss you so much christopher!!!!!!! i think about u everyday i still cant believe u are gone.. u are one of the strongest men i know i will forever honor your name and will never forget everything u did for everyone in america!!! i miss you so much i wish i could have talked to you more or at least seen you one last time!!!! i miss you i love you!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just thinking of you... I was given one of many black bracelets with your name on it... I wear mine every day now. I went by the cemetery a few days ago to see you, but the gate was already locked and the sprinklers were going. I'll make it back by soon, and say hi, hang out for a bit, see if you have a marker yet... I'll bring you some fresh flowers too. Thank you again Chris... Rest in Peace.

Spc. Christopher Gathercole
you are my hero
may god keep you in his arms forever

Chris, I want to thank you for the brave sacrifice you made so I could continue to be free. rest easy young soldier you will never be forgotten, you are now with my nephew PFC Aaron J ward who at age 19 on May 6 2008 was killed by small arms fire while serving in Iraq and was also added to the long list of American Hero's who paid the ultimate price for our country's continued freedom. may God bless us all and protect the so many other soldiers still fighting.
rest in peace Chis, America love's you....
Proud Army aunt of PFC Aaron J Ward 170th military police Fort Lewis WA the dragonslayers

RIP Chris, we still talk about you daily in the squad room. You will never be forgotten by me, or anyone else that worked with you. RLTW!

Prayer for Peace

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace;
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master,
Grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
To be understood, as to understand;
To be loved, as to love;
For it is in giving that we receive,
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.


Amen

My heartfelt sympathy to the Gathercole family and friends in the loss of Christopher. I did not know Christopher, but my heart is broken and I am saddened for your loss of such a fine young person and hero. May God bring you peace in your heart as you reflect on all the wonderful memories you hold so close. Please know that you are in my heart and prayers. My heart was touched by the many wonderful/beautiful things written about you. Christopher you are my hero and you will NEVER be forgotten.
I send each of you a hug from the most inner part of my heart.
Love and Peace
Tom

"TO LIVE IN THE HEARTS
OF THOSE YOU LEAVE BEHIND
IS NEVER TO DIE"
~Robert Orr~

To your family I say I know your pain. To SPC GATHERCOLE... I hope you and my Brother are still playing Army in the sky! Stick by him he will watch over you! To your brother and sister... I am sorry we didn't get to talk on July 14th, but know it was so hard! Please contact me anytime! you are also in my thoughts during this horrible time in our lives! I know our Rangers are still looking out for eachother! To our Hero's!

Thank you for the sacrifice made by Spc Gathercole and the sacrifice made by everyone who loves and misses him! May God bless all of you!!

You are remembered and respected. Thank you Spc Gathercole!

im david becerra i was with chris in a group home in santa rosa r house i knew him for about 2 years what a great person he was rest in peace chris i am 20 and i just joined the marines

SPC. Christopher Gathercole, at the time of his tragic death, was serving in the same company of 2/75 as my elder brother. They almost certainly knew each other. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family. RIP SPC. Gathercole, thank you for your selfless service.

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13

You are in our thoughts and prayers. We pray for God's comfort and peace in your lives.
Our family shares in the loss of your loved one. We thank God for his life and you for the sacrifice he made for the freedom we have in America, the land of the free and the home of the brave.

No one will have the magic words to make you feel better, but prayers and kind thoughts will begin to ease the pain of your loss. To the wife/girlfriend of Chris, I do know your pain and if you would like to talk to someone in your situation feel free to contact me. You will be in my prayers

I did not know Chris, but my heart and sympathy goes out to his family at this time. My Daughters boyfriend's best friend just died in Irag on June 12th from a IED, Sgt John D Aragon. He was 22 years old, I felt I needed to send my condolences to other families who have gone thru the same as our friends here have gone thru. May Chris rest in peace.

I was not privileged enough to know Spc Christopher Gathercole during his brief life on earth. Having been a foster father and having adopted a foster child we cared for, I know that Chris has left many folks through his life who truly loved and cared about him very much. I will pray for all friends, family and military family as time moves forward. I believe that Chris is a son of all Americans and we are very proud of him and will never forget him. Thank you Chris for your sacrifice, the love you gave and the love you allowed yourself to receive in a seemingly uphill life. You are in a better place than we are now so rest in peace, son, until we join you in due season.

Send My Deepest Symathy To Your Family The Lord Took This Child So Young And Fair For All Others To See This Child Now An Angel The Lord Ment It To Be May God Bless Ya All

To this brave soldier,s family words cannot express the pain that you all are going through i share your pain i have been in this place just 11 weeks ago so i grieve with you and pray that you find comfort during this difficult time .Goldstar Mom OIF, 3-31-08

To the family and parents of christopher I want you to know that you are not alone in the grief you are feeling. I too know what you are going through and what you will go through in the coming weeks and months ahead. You will have many questions as to why? You will have many things to get ready or go through and that should be done in time. Sometimes it just can’t be faced and that’s ok, for you will know when the time is right for you. There is no right or wrong way to grieve it’s an individual journey that unfortunately we now have to take. I ask that God give the comfort, strength and courage that you are going to need. When and if the time is right for you please contact me. You can cry, vent, or just talk as only another person who has been where you are can really know what you are going through. May God continue to be with you and heal you.

In memory of my son
Spc Harry (Buck) Winkler III
KIA 11/12/06 Samarra, Iraq
82nd Airborne 2-505th PIR

Just today I found out that Chris had left us. I was his teacher and advisor at Ridgway High School. His smile and kindness will be greatly missed.

The Final Salute

“Brothers in Arms”, Military men and women down through the centuries, have traditionally exchanged “Hand Salutes” as a sign of recognition and as a way to render courtesy and respect one to another.

This “Hand Salute” is the last that we shall render to Spc. Christopher Gathercole our Brother in Arms. To his family it symbolizes the love and respect that we have for Chris. And to Chris it is rendered as a symbol of honor and gratitude to thank him for the ultimate sacrifice he made in combat while serving the U.S. Army and his country. No greater love is shown than a man lay down his life for another. Chris, you are a brave Warrior, a true Patriot and a national Hero. With your passing, our Country has lost a National Treasure. We bid you a sad farewell. You will be dearly missed from among our ranks. Be at ease. Rest in Peace.

On behalf of the 1,385 members of Lowe-McFarlane Post 14 of the American Legion in Shreveport, Louisiana, I extend our sympathies and our condolences to Chris’s family and loved ones.

Dennis N. Engdahl, Commander, American Legion Post 14
5315 S. Lakeshore Drive, Shreveport, LA 71109

I knew not this Hero, nor he me, but I thank him and his family for his sacrifice. Please take comfort in the fact that he will eat EVERY meal at the LORD'S table for ETERNITY !

May God Bless you and keep you in eternity comrade. May God comfort your family as they grieve your passing to the Kingdom. Thanks for your supreme service Ranger.
Don Stockton USA Ret

My thoughts are with you Gathercole Family, you surely do not grieve alone many grieve with you. I am so sorry for your loss and know many are lifting Christopher and your family up in prayer, May God Bless you and be with you in this time of sorrow.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort. I wish there was something I could say or do to ease your pain. REST IN PEACE HERO, YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN. Our grandson, Pfc Aaron J. Ward was KIA May 6, 2008. It just hurts knowing there are so many other families going through the same thing we are going through. FREEDOM ISN'T FREE.

God Bless you Christopher. You are not alone and not forgotten

Thank you so very much, Spc Christopher Gathercole, for protecting me and my family and our beloved United States. You are truly a Christian soldier and a hero.

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

My deepest sympathies to Chris's family. I was blessed to work daily with Chris while he was at TLC. I will never forget his sweet smile, his sense of humor, his penchant for mischief.I have so many great memories of him i wouldnt even know where to begin. He was a hero to us for all he overcame, and i am glad for those who didnt know him will remember him as a hero. I am so grateful and feel blessed that i knew Chris.You will always be in my heart Christopher "Robin" (that is what i used to call him).

Chris's family- Trust in Jesus, our precious Lord and Savior, to get you through this most difficult time

Go fly with the angels now, Chris
With love and respect,
Marilu Pellarin

Chris will always be remembered for his bright smile and his enduring spirit. He was elevated by his experiences rather than beaten down and he remained optimistic and realistic even when fantasy or defeat woould have been expected. It was an honor to have known him. It is a tragedy that he died. May peace be with him now.

THANK YOU!!

Rest in peace.

I have waited as long as I can for the right time to sign this guestbook. It seems everytime I sit to write, the words escape me and Im left sitting here dumbfounded and in tears once more. How can anyone describe the person, the man, that Chris was. Words simply cannot give him justice. He was one of the best men I have ever known and one of the greatest friends I have ever had. I think of Chris and his smile and bright eyes immediately fill my mind. He was strong, and loyal..smart and funny. You could be in the worst condition and he'd find someway to make light of the situation, have everyone in roars of laughter and smiling ear to ear. This is the Chris that I will always remember. This is the man I will always love and respect. He has taken with him a piece of us all, and I willingly reliquish that part of myself to him. He deserves that much. Chris and ppl like him are what make this nation great. He and his fellow soldiers are what keep us safe at night and give us the opportunity to live and grow in a place that is not stunted with violence and fear. We owe a great deal to our soldiers, our heros. They have given us their ultimate sacrifices and we owe them a deep respect and gratitude. Thank you Chris. Thank you for being my hero. My lover, my friend. My light at the end of the tunnel. You mean the world to me and I will never forget you. Thank you for being you and for always keeping me, me. Rip sweetheart. Ill keep you with me always.

Chris, you were a nice young man with a kind and shy smile. Y ou were also so funny. I remember laughing with you in my office at Piner High. You were an amazing young man telling me about your child hood with your brother Eddie, used to break my heart. Then when you told me you were going in the service, I thought that would be good for you. I'm so proud to have known a young man like you. Thankyou for serving our country. I had told you that my own dad was a service men in the AirForce (Lawrence S. Fogel ) when I was a child and he too died.May he watch out for you.God bless you Chris. Eddie I want to say how sorry I am for your loss. Your Student Advisor always, Lorie Wilcox

The elite unit in which this young man so proudly served tells us much about him, but the moving tribute in the paper really shows what this fine soldier made of his life, from a happy start, through very difficult and trying times, until he finally achieved success in all aspects of his life. Sadly, we won't ever know what more he would have done had he been granted more years on earth, but it's certain that he made himself into a man who is worthy of our respect, memory and thanks.
Rest in Peace Spc. Christopher Gathercole.

FREEDOM IS NOT FREE!! YET ANOTHER SOLDIER AND HIS FAMILY GREIVE. I PAY MY RESPECTS AND GIVE MY CONDOLENCES TO YOU FOR YOUR SACRIFICE TO ME, OUR COUNTRY AND OTHERS.
A FALLEN SOLDIER WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN!!

My sincere condolences to you and your family. Your son is not only a hero to you but to us too. We will never forget the sacrifice your son has made. We share your common pain. We lost our hero May 25, 2008 in Iraq. May you be comforted at this time. You will be in our prayers!
contact me if you need anything!
GOD BLESS YOU!
GOLD STAR FAMILY
IN LOVING MEMORY OF SSG FRANK GASPER

TO A FALLEN HERO: MAY YOU REST IN PEACE! YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN! THANK YOU FOR FIGHTING FOR OUR COUNTRY AND FOR OUR FREEDOMS! MY HEARTFELT SYMPATHY GOES OUT TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY!

To the Family and Friends of this Soldier:
I will stand in grief with this soldier's family to honor him. For every fallen HERO there is a bright star that shines in the evening sky to remind us of the cherished gift we were given – even if for too short a time.
My heart breaks again as I sign yet another guest book of another courageous young soldier who gave their life so selflessly. I wish I never found myself in a position to have to sign another guestbook for the rest of my life, but I promised Brent that neither he nor any like him would be forgotten and so I will continue until the day there is no longer the need.
We lost our son SFC Brent A. Adams on 12/1/05 and it seems like yesterday. I wish so badly there were things I could say to you right now to make the pain you are feeling go away, but I know first hand there simply are no words that will bring you the comfort and peace your heart aches for. Just know that you are not alone. My heart, thoughts, and prayers are with you all as you go through this tragedy moment by moment and as you mourn this loss.
We don't know each other, will probably never meet, but will forever be united in the loss of our Heroes. We have, unfortunately joined a group none of us wanted to join, an ever-growing group of families in this situation. May God grant you peace and strength to get through this and be able once again to smile at a memory rather than have only the tears that flow so easily now. To be so proud of your loved one and so saddened at the same time is a mix of emotions very difficult to deal with as our hearts both burst with pride and pain together.
I am sorry that I never knew your soldier personally. While they can never be replaced, neither will they ever be forgotten. You must trust that sometime, someday the loving memories you have will help to sustain you and help you go on. This courageous soldier will forever be your Angel watching over you all for the rest of your lives. It's what brings me some measure of peace and comfort and I hope it will you as well.
To his family and friends in pain, I offer this comfort: When you find yourself in that dark sorrowful place, think not only of how you will miss him, but instead recall the years, days, hours and minutes gifted to you by his presence. The one thing that cannot be taken from you is your wonderful memories that now will mean more than ever.
If you ever want to talk, I'm only an e:mail away and would love for you to tell me more about your Hero.
God Bless this soldier and family who gave all and God Bless legacy.com for setting up this site where families can so quickly share their condolences and prayers with others like themselves.
Proud Parents of SFC Brent A. Adams, KIA, 12/1/05, Ramadi, Iraq
Pam and Bill Adams, Lancaster, PA

Chris's family - we feel your loss. He will not be forgetten!

Proud Sister of a 2/75 Ranger SFC David McDowell KIA 4/29/08 Afganistan - RTLW!!

Thank you for your sacrifice for my safety and way of life.

Another family grieves the loss of a loved one. The nation grieves the loss of another American Hero. May God bring comfort to all of you. Thank you and rest in peace, Christopher.

Dear Gathercole Family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Please know Chris is a True Hero! He will not be forgotten!
All our Aloha~
Hawaiian Stryker Mom

In memory of:
Ssgt. Jesse L. Keawe Williams
5-20 3SBCT 2nd Inf. Div. (Fort Lewis, Wa.)
KIA Balad, Iraq
04/08/2007

Christopher,
I did not know you well, but when I heard the sad news of your death, your winning smile instantly came to mind. As others have said these last few weeks, you truly were a shining light. I will remember your smile always and feel so very proud of your accomplishments in life.
May peace be with you...

Chris your memory lives on in the hearts of those who love you. RIP you are not forgotten only cherished.

Our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of SPC Gathercole.
He gave his all for our Country. He is a true hero. Our prayers are with his family and friends.

We in The Valley of the Moon Rotary were proud to have helped Chris at RHouse. We are saddened by your loss and hope you find peace in knowing all the friends he touched.

Gordon Freedman

God Bless.

We just lost our son, SSG Frank Gasper. We know that your loss is great! We are praying for you. May you be comforted at this time. Our sons sacrifice is not in vain! Please know we care.
Proud Parents of SSG Frank Gasper 3rd Battalion, 10th Special Forces, Fort Carson, CO.

He sounds like an incredible young man who served our army and country with selfless service. Warm wishes to the family he left behind.

Those who answer the call to duty and pay the ultimate sacrifice will forever be in our hearts. Never forgotten but simply a reminder of what freedoms we afford because of their service.
They all have enriched our lives, touched our hearts and shown us the true meaning of a Hero.
God keep those who knew and loved US Army Ranger, Spc. Christopher Gathercole strong.
M.O.M.S.
Mothers Of Military Servicemembers

Dear Chris,
Although I am very sad that I did not get to know you better, I am grateful that you took such good care of my best friend. Tori loved you so much and thought the world of you. We all did. I cannot stop thinking of one of the last conversations we all had with you. You and Tori wanted to have a baby, in case, God forbid, the worse happened. Those words you spoke haunt me because the unthinkable actually happened. Even though there is not a little Chris Jr running around this earth we will all keep you in our hearts forever. You were the true hero who paid the ultimate sacrifice but now you are an angel who yet again guides us. Don't worry about Tori. I promise we will take care of her. And trust me, you will be missed!

My thoughts and prayers are with Chris' family, now, in their time of sorrow. My deepest thanks to Chris, who made the ultimate sacrifice, so that we here can sleep peacefully and enjoy our beautiful lives. To honor him, we should deeply appreciate that life and freedom that he gave everything for us to have. I pray for Chris, and for all of our kids, fighting in foreign lands, to come home safe. "Memories are like Starlight, they go on forever."

God bless you, Chris. You will not be forgotten. Our deepest sympathies are with you, Edward.

Spc. Christopher Gathercole
you are my hero
may god keep you in his arms forever.

May God welcome you into His arms for your ultimate sacrifice in defense of my beloved United States of America. As a Gold Star parent, Spec. Michael C. Balsley (KIA - January 25, 2007) I do not want any family to have to face the day when when the Causality Officers are at the door advising that their son or daughter is dead. My heart and Prayers go out to the Family of this brave young man.

Dear Chris,
It seems we just talked a few months ago.I miss you a lot,you mean the world to me.I will always hold you in my heart.You are a brave man and you have shown us all how important life can be.You will be missed and appreciated. Love You ! Love Chelsea & Analliyah

My thoughts, prayers, and well wishes go out to your family Chris.. Thank you for serving this country--its a shame you had to go.

Chris,

It's been over a year since we have talked, and I am sorry so much time went by. You were a good friend at Journey, and then after. I was privileged enough to get to see you grow from a teenager to a man to be proud of. You had that something special Chris, thank you for sharing just a little bit of it with me. You will be missed.

Chris you were the perfect match for my little sister. There was never a moment that was not filled with laughter while you visited. I am so lucky that my family was able to meet you while he visited Michigan. My girls call you an angel, they know that Aunt Tori has a guardian angel and you will protect her. You will be missed by everyone in Tori's family. We instantly fell in love with you and you will always be in our hearts.