15 May 2006:
IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. 440-06
May 15, 2006
-------------------------------------------------------------
DoD Identifies Army Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Spc. Ronald W. Gebur, 23, of Delavan, Ill., died of injuries sustained in Baghdad, Iraq, on May 13, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV during combat operations. Gebur was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.
Fallen soldier 'had a heart of gold'
Teacher, schoolmate remember Ronald Gebur as helpful, dependable
Friday, May 19, 2006
By ANDY KRAVETZ
of the Journal Star
DELAVAN - A former teacher remembered a Delavan man killed over the weekend in Iraq as a hard-working student who would always rush to help others.
Robert Brown, the industrial arts teacher at Delavan Community High School, said he taught Ronald Gebur in welding and wood-working classes. Gebur was a hands-on student who always thought of others.
"There was probably no one more willing to take and do extra to help others than Ron," Brown said.
Gebur, 23, was killed Saturday when an explosive device blew up near his Humvee during a patrol in Baghdad, according to the Pentagon. He leaves behind a wife, who is a U.S. Army medic, and a 9-month-old son.
Flags flew at half-staff at the National Guard armory and the American Legion Hall in this small town in southern Tazewell County. A flag also flapped in the strong breeze outside a gas station.
As of Thursday evening, there was no set date for a funeral. A member of the American Legion said his organization would likely help with any ceremony, but is on "stand-by" until they got more definitive plans.
Christina Rush, 21, of Delavan, went to school with Gebur. She said she was shocked when she learned Saturday about his death.
"When I first heard it, I wanted to fall down and cry. I know there is a war, but I didn't expect that someone who is so close to me in age and someone that I knew would die," she said.
She echoed Brown's comments, saying Gebur was a selfless person. "He had a heart of gold," she said. "If you needed him to do something, he'd do it without any question."
Rush called Gebur the typical high school student when they were at Delavan High together. He enjoy art, played baseball and liked to work on cars. But tops on his list was his family, she said, recalling how he used to go hunting with his grandfather.
"It was extra special if he could do that," she said.
Sgt. 1st Class Michael Koslowsky, who served with Gebur while he was in the Illinois Army National Guard, said his friend was a self-starter and dependable.
Gebur also worked at the high school during the summer doing maintenance, Brown said. Even there, Gebur stood out.
"Ron was one of the kids who you told, 'I need this done,' and it would be done," he said. "Gave him a task, and followed through," he said. "It was not glorious work, but he did what he was asked, and that's a plus."
Andy Kravetz can be reached at 686-3283 or akravetz@pjstar.com.
17 Jan 2006
We are living in concrete buildings with few amineties. We do have electricity but no refridgerators or microwaves at this time. Food to snack on between missions would be appriciated as well as any type of "entertainment' ie. magazines, books, cards, dice, movies, etc.
