He had one older brother, Ron, and a younger brother and a sister, Jim and Shirley. ... He is an uncle that I never got to know, a brother that my mother never got to understand, and a father that Penny never really got the chance to love. ... My Uncle Gary helped make our world a better place by fighting to protect the freedoms by which our country is founded. ... My mother said, "I think the most important thing to remember about a person in the military is that they are not just a soldier, they are a brother, sister, father, daughter, mother, son, and friend." ...

• Word Count: 901
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School