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 Duty, Honor and Sacrifice
Gabriel Glenn De Roo,
better known as Gabe by family, was a good
man, a faithful husband and an exemplary soldier by almost anyone's
standard. He was born in 1981 and grew up in Paw Paw, Michigan
where he learned strong values from church and family. There he
also committed his life to Jesus Christ as his personal Savior.
As a young man Gabe's work ethic was well known.
For awhile he worked for a company that paid according to the number
of packages he could move. Gabe worked hard to make additional funds
for a car purchase. He moved so many packages that the company put
an upper limit on how much it would pay. It was called the De
Roo Rule.
 Duty
calls
Gabe
wanted to serve his country after the events of 911, so he
enlisted in the Army. He was placed in the Arrowhead Stryker
Brigade, America's first Stryker Brigade.
He excelled in all aspects of combat training.
During a twelve mile training run with a heavy pack, he came in
first in the entire brigade. Yet he refused to lower himself to
foul language. One day his superiors refused to let him go home
until he used the 'F' word. He said, "Then I'll just keep
working." They did allow him to go home. He had earned the respect
of his peers.
All who knew Gabe were impressed with his gentle smile, calm
demeanor and genuine care for others. He was always more concerned
about the well-being of his men than he was about himself.
He met Hannah Suko at a Bible study he attended shortly after
arriving in the Tacoma area. It was his first time to attend and it
was going to be her last she thought. Hannah and Gabe hit it off,
she continued with the group and they eventually made plans for
marriage after his first deployment to Iraq. They felt God had
"brought the pieces together" at just the right time.
"War is horrible, but sitting by while
evil persists is worse."
'SGT Gabriel De Roo
During his first tour in Iraq he was involved in
dangerous missions as a machine gunner patrolling and searching for
insurgents. The heat was excessive and the comforts few. In spite
of this, he was happy to serve and made many friends among the Iraqi
people. He often gave part of his care packages to local children.
During this time he reenlisted in the Army for five more years.
Nearly every day he would write or call Hannah. He would send
flowers on special occasions even though he was half a world away.
He also carried a letter to her on him just in case something
happened.
 No
regrets
Gabe and Hannah were married not long after
he returned from the first deployment. They worked hard at fixing
up a small home they were able to buy in Tacoma with the pay he had
faithfully saved while serving our country. A year later they were
blessed with a baby boy whom they also named Gabriel. Big Gabe now
was a loving husband and father.
In June of 2006 his brigade was again called to
Iraq. Before departing he talked over every detail of what to do if
something were to happen. He reminded Hannah that "God put the
pieces together" in the beginning of their relationship and would
"still be putting the pieces together" if he didn't return. Their
relationship was lived in harmony so there would be no regrets if
something happened.
He also provided for the care of his wife and
son. Before departing, he and his immediate fellow soldiers were
surrounded by church family in prayer in a special flag folding
service at their church, Discovery Baptist, in Gig Harbor, WA.
 Gabe was often commended for his willingness to serve our country
without complaint. However, he responded that Hannah was the
greater hero for her sacrifice of being home without him.
Hannah was jolted awake early on August 21st, 2006 by
two army chaplains. They brought news her husband had been killed
the day before by sniper fire in Mosul, Iraq. He had been assisting
in the arrest of three dangerous insurgents. Army officials
estimated that at least several dozen lives may have been saved by
the arrest of these men.
Spirit
of sacrifice
Gabe's deep love for Hannah was evident again two
days after his death. Family members were talking to Army chaplains
about Gabe's caring heart when a florist delivery truck arrived with
a package. Inside the box were flowers, a box of chocolates and a
loving note to his wife which he sent the day before his death.
God's hand was evident.
A spirit of sacrifice and concern for
others motivated Gabe.
A book of military
quotes was found among his things sent home. One quote highlighted
was by Nathan Hale: "I only regret that I have but one life to lose
for my country."" Just below it a quote from Manning Coles read,
"If a country is worth living in, it is worth fighting for." Gabe
wrote in the margin "right on the money."
 Shortly before SGT De Roo fell, he said that if
any soldier had to die first he would rather it be him so
others would have time to get right with God. Amazingly, he was the
first soldier to fall during the second deployment of the
Stryker Brigade of almost 5000 men. He had just finished reading
the book Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands. Certainly God
did use Gabe as an instrument in the lives of others. For his
example as a soldier he was awarded the bronze star posthumously.
Before Gabe died he said someday he would like to return to Iraq to
do Christian ministry. Since his death a special De Roo Memorial
Fund was established. It supports new ministries in that part of
the world bringing many more blessings to others.
Many have called Gabe a hero, but even he knew he was not
perfect. He knew he needed God's forgiveness for sin. He
understood he could never enter Heaven based upon his merits.
Instead, he trusted in the only perfect life that was ever
lived; Jesus Christ. Gabe understood that Jesus had died to save
him. By putting his faith in Christ's death he would be able to
stand before God clothed in Christ's righteousness, and not his own.
"But
God commends His love toward us in that while we were yet sinners
Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by His
blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him."
Romans 5:8-9
SGT De Roo made this decision while in his teens and it governed all
of his life thereafter. He lived for the One Who had sacrificed all
for him. Gabe was also willing to die for his country because of
Christ. The inscription on Gabe's headstone is from John 15:13,
which reads
"Greater
love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his
friends."
Christ gave His life for every one of us. Only those who trust Him
may be forgiven. May we be willing to accept by faith God's gift of
forgiveness through Christ rather than trusting in our own good
works.
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Printed
copies of this story may be obtained by contacting Discovery
Baptist Church, 4902 Gustafson Dr. NW, Gig Harbor, WA 98335.
www.discoverybaptist.org
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