From Gold Star Sister Julie Gresham regarding her brother
Army Pfc Daniel Gene Gresham. (Julie and her sister Elizabeth visited
us in the studio on 4/25/10 on the Livin Large, Geoff Pinkus' show.
Here is her testimonial and tribute to their brother "Dan the
Man". (If you did not have an opportunity to tune in
go to www.geoffpinkus.com
and click on the 4/25/10 Studio Feed.)
Thank you to GBTT, Geoff Pinkus and supporters of God Bless
the Troops for honoring the fallen and for your support of Gold Star
Families and wounded veterans. Thank you for the Framed Defender Print
and for having my sister and me here today to talk about our brother.
I think about my brother, Dan the Man, Daniel Gene Gresham, every
day. He was a wise, generous, funny, handsome and especially brave
man. I miss him dearly.
Dan’s tours of service carried him to Korea, Afghanistan and
Iraq. His Military achievements include the Army Service Ribbon, Global
War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service
Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, NCOPD
Ribbon and posthumously, the Bronze Star Award and Purple Heart.
Before going to Iraq, Dan had an ominous feeling that he would not
be returning. He carried this Bible verse with him at all times: Psalms
23:4 "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow
of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy
staff they comfort me."
Dan the Man died 5 years to the day that he went into the service.
At 23 years of age, he was one of the youngest staff sargeant E6’s
in the history of EOD.
For those of you that don’t know, EOD stands for Explosive
Ordinance Disposal. My brother was an EOD specialist and Team Leader.
His job was to detonate IED’s. The work he did saved lives of
US soldiers, in addition to the lives of Iraqi people, with his humanitarian
de-mining missions.
It’s been 5 years since our brother’s passing. My heart
goes out to all Gold Star families who have suffered loss –
we thank you for your family’s sacrifice.
Before concluding, I’d like to thank all Military personnel
and veterans for defending our country and for your bravery. I especially
want to thank the veterans and those who have lost their lives in
the Korean war conflict. I was born in Seoul, South Korea and if not
for the sacrifice of Americans lives and the bravery of the veterans
of the Korean war, I would not be here today. I want you to know how
much I appreciate that you saved South Korea from communism.
Lastly, I would like to thank you Mark Titre and God Bless the Troops
again for the Defender Print. We will hang it in a prominent place
and it will serve as a continuous reminder that the memory of our
fallen heroes is remembered and honored and that people care about
Gold Star families and the ultimate price that was paid to defend
our great nation.
