Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Army Staff Sgt. Michael J. Gabel

Remember Our Heroes

Army Staff Sgt. Michael J. Gabel, 30, of Crowley, La.

SSgt. Gabel was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment (Airborne), 173rd Airborne Brigade, Camp Ederle, Italy; died Dec. 12, 2007 at Forward Operating Base Curry, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device. Also killed was Cpl. Joshua C. Blaney.

NPR -- December 17, 2007 • Army Staff Sgt. Michael Gabel, 30, was killed last week in Afghanistan. In a story NPR aired last month, Gabel spoke eloquently about the loss of his best friend in the line of duty.

At the memorial service for three U.S. Army paratroopers who died in Kunar province, Gabel delivered a moving eulogy for his comrade, Larry Rougle. Holding back tears, he told the crowd, "I will not be bitter. I will not shed a tear of sorrow. I am proud to have known such a good man and a warrior to the bitter end. Until we see each other again, sky soldiers!"

On Dec. 12, Gabel died in a roadside bomb blast. He was in the lead vehicle of a convoy securing a stretch of road in the southeastern Paktika Province.

The Baton Rouge native, who enlisted in the Army in 2000, was serving as a Sky Trooper with 173rd Airborne brigade. It was his third tour in Afghanistan. He had also served in Iraq.

His brother David Gabel said Michael had planned to re-enlist next year so he could serve more time in Afghanistan, a country that he loved.

"My brother believed in Afghanistan," David Gabel said. "He really wanted to see schools, jobs and opportunities brought to the country. It was his third tour in Afghanistan, and the job there was unfinished."

Army Staff Sgt. Michael J. Gabel was killed in action on 12/12/07.

3 comments:

Starting_Over_Without said...

Thanks for remembering Michael.

Case said...

If I could go back in time, I would go by brigade once a week to visit with SSG Gabel. I would show him pictures of my wife and son. I would always thank him for his help in seeing them. I wouldn't have much time. My son was born march 30, 2007. SSG is the only reason I was present for my son's birth. He wasn't even in my chain of command. I wasn't even in the brigade.
Maybe if I had gone to him he would have known how important his job was in the rear. Maybe he would have gone later or not been on that mission. He was my hero. He is the only soldier I mourn. He was a true leader. Maybe I would hear him on the Jocko podcast. Maybe he would have his own. I didn't know him that well, but he is my family. I wish I could find his. I need to thank someone.

Unknown said...

Sorry and I m sad much for his Gavel death ,he was my friend in Afghanistan,so since 2007 I really did know about his death.today I got to now about him.may God rest his soul in higher place in other world. Hayat Elvis