“The secret to happiness is freedom… And the secret to freedom is courage.”
(Thucydides)
On the anniversaries of infamous days, such as 9/11, it’s important to reflect on tragic events and to remember those whose lives were lost or forever altered. Today, on the 17th anniversary of the September 11th attacks, we honor brave souls everywhere who keep our country safe. We acknowledge those with their boots on the ground—the women and men who are willing not only to take a stand, but also to run towards danger in order to protect the citizens of our country and the values we hold so dear.
A few years ago on the anniversary of 9/11, I had the privilege of sharing an inspiring interview I did with a 28-year veteran of the Sacramento Police Department and my friend, Shawn Rogers. To me, Shawn epitomizes the best of our domestic heroes, a category that includes paramedics, emergency medical technicians, police officers, firefighters, rescuers, and other professionals dedicated to maintaining the peace and keeping us safe. You can read that interview with Lieutenant Rogers here.
Last year on this momentous occasion, I wrote:
[that the anniversary of 9/11] “reminds me of the tremendous danger of service – both in war overseas and in the streets here at home — and that it motivates me to give back, caring for those who have been injured through their service.”
Read last year’s reflections here and please give what you can, when you can by donating to the U.S. Vets, the nation’s largest non-profit organization providing services to homeless and at-risk veterans.
Today, in honor and remembrance of the events of 9/11, I am proud to celebrate a 27-year career soldier whose life exemplifies the very best of our military heroes — those serving in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard — who are dedicated to protecting the freedoms we enjoy in these United States of America. I’m especially proud to celebrate this particular soldier because not only is he a highly decorated and accomplished war veteran, he is also my younger brother, Mike Gersper.
With Mike’s permission, and in honor of all the men and women who have made courageous sacrifices to serve our country, I present a personal letter my father wrote to our family and friends about his amazing son, my little brother.
Dear Relatives and Friends,
On Friday, July 27, 2018, Freda and I had the good fortune to attend the retirement ceremony at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, which included our youngest son, Michael David.
Retiring were eight officers, ranging in rank from Colonel to Captain; five Warrant Officers; and 24 NCO’s, ranging in rank from Sergeant Major to Staff Sergeant. The group of 37 retirees was highly decorated, with many Bronze Stars, Distinguished Service Medals, Meritorious Service Medals, and Army Commendation Medals. The time of the retirees’ service ranged from 20 years to 37 years, and the average time of war-zone deployment of the group was 2 ½ years.
One of the most highly decorated retirees was 1st Sergeant Michael David Gersper, who has received three Bronze Stars, four Meritorious Service Medals, five Army Commendation Medals, and the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB). He also earned the Expert Infantryman Badge, the Air Assault Badge, Airborne (Jump) Wings, Airborne Pathfinder Badge, and a Saint Barbara’s Medal.
Sergeant Gersper served for 27 years, which included deployments to Korea (12 months in the DMZ as a Sergeant with the 2nd Infantry Division); Iraq (14 months in Tal Afar and Ar Ramadi, as a Sergeant First Class and Master Sergeant with the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored and 101st Airborne Divisions); Afghanistan (9 months in Jalabad as a First Sergeant with a Combat Advisory Team, 4th Infantry Division, imbedded with Afghan Army and Security Forces); and, again, Afghanistan (7 months in Kandahar as a First Sergeant with H. & H. Company, 4th Infantry Division).
Clearly, First Sergeant Gersper is a great American warrior hero, and he deserves the thanks of every citizen of the United States of America.
My dad’s letter about my brother’s incredible service reminds me that, day in and day out, our domestic and military heroes are laying everything on the line… for us. They meet danger with courage so that we may have freedom!
Thank you, Mike. You are my hero! I am so incredibly proud of you.
Do you have a hero you’d like to thank, honor or remember on this solemn day? Please leave your message below.
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