In Memory of Christopher 'Gator' Gathercole

10/07/2026

On this date 25 years ago, the President announced that the United States had begun military action in Afghanistan in response to the September 11 attacks, marking the start of Operation Enduring Freedom and our Nation's longest war.

We honor the selfless men and women who answered the call to serve and the families who continue to carry the weight of their sacrifice. They fought terrorism across the globe to ensure that our country remained free.

Their service and courage will never be forgotten.

09/27/2026

America’s Gold Star Families: Honoring Every Bond:
Gold Star Family… a designation no one ever aspires to hold.

The Gold Star honors a loved one who died as a result of active-duty military service. When we think of the grieving families left behind, we naturally picture biological parents, spouses, children, and siblings. And while most service members do come from these traditional family structures, others emerge from a lesser-known reality: the deeply interconnected communities of foster care and group homes.
To truly understand the sacrifice of all our fallen, we must broaden our definition of "family" to include the vast, complex, and beautiful networks of people who helped raise, guide, and fiercely love these unique heroes. Their village is non-traditional, forged not always by blood, but by profound shared history, unimaginable resilience, and unwavering support.

When a service member from this community falls, their death sends shockwaves through a massive, often unseen family. The grief ripples out far beyond a single household. This loss shatters the foster parents who offered a safe haven and the foster siblings who shared their quietest fears and greatest triumphs. It breaks the hearts of group home staff who served as steady anchors, the social workers who relentlessly advocated for their futures, and the counselors and therapists who helped them heal and find their strength.

There is a poignant reality in this shared loss: many within this village may never meet the service member’s biological relatives, just as cousins and extended biological or foster relations may not know the everyday caregivers who guided their loved one into adulthood. Though these fragmented communities may be disconnected by circumstance and systemic boundaries, they are deeply bonded by a singular, undeniable grief. Their shared love for the fallen is absolute, making their sorrow just as profound, and their loss just as deserving of the Gold Star honor.

The weight of this sacrifice is woven into the fabric of our nation's history. Since 9/11, more than 16,000 troops have died in non-combat circumstances, and over 7,000 in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars alone—joining the millions of lives lost globally in conflicts stretching back to World War I. Behind every single one of those staggering numbers is a shattered community grieving a unique soul.

The term "Gold Star" itself stems from the Service Flag, first flown during WWI. Families proudly displayed a blue star for every member serving in the armed forces. But in the agonizing event of a death, that blue star was replaced with a gold variant—the highest honor. Those who have lost loved ones to service never forget where they were when the news arrived. It is a heavy burden they carry forever: the day the blue turned to gold.

The Gold Star allowed communities to silently acknowledge the devastating price a family paid for the cause of freedom. In 1936, President Franklin D. Roosevelt built upon this growing movement, designating the last Sunday of September as National Gold Star Mothers’ Day. Decades later, recognizing that grief touches far more than just mothers, President Barack Obama amended the observance in 2011 to "Gold Star Mothers and Families Day."

The strength of our nation lies in our military servicemen and women, and their strength is drawn from the people who love them—however that family was built. Whether nurtured in a traditional household or raised by the fierce, chosen bonds of the foster care system, the Nation recognizes that no one has given more than the village that raised the fallen. (The last Sunday in September is Gold Star Family Day) The 75th Ranger Regiment RLTW!

09/12/2026

09/11/2026

Then-SFC Leroy Petry talks to David Letterman about his heroic actions in Afghanistan in 2008 during Operation Enduring Freedom.
(From "Late Show," air date: 9/7/11, 3 years after his actions.)

“Valor is a gift,” Carl Sandburg once said. “Those having it never know for sure whether they have it until the test comes.”

On 26 May 2008 in Paktia Province, Afghanistan, Staff Sergeant Leroy A. Petry, a Weapons Squad Leader in D Company, 2d Ranger Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, performed the actions which made him become the second living recipient of the Medal of Honor after SSG Salvatore Giunta, and the 9th recipient of the MoH from the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

On May 26, 2008, SSG Petry and his unit were on a mission in Paktia Province, Afghanistan, which was on a daylight raid to capture a high-value target from the Taliban.

Petry was to locate with the platoon headquarters in the target building once it was secured. Once there, he was to serve as the senior NCO at the site for the remainder of the operation.

The team of 7 Rangers encountered about 40 Taliban, 12 of them armed. Almost immediately after getting out of the helicopters that delivered the unit to the attack site, the Rangers came under strong fire. Petry provided additional supervision to an assaulting squad during the clearance of a building, and then he took PFC Lucas Robinson to clear an outer courtyard.

Three Taliban fighters were in the courtyard, which had a chicken coop within it. The Taliban fired on Petry and Robinson; Petry was wounded by one round that went through both his legs, and Robinson was wounded - hit on the armor plate protecting his side.

Petry led Robinson to the cover of the chicken coop and reported the contact and their wounded condition. Petry threw a thermobaric gr***de from cover. At the chicken coop, the two men were joined by SGT Daniel Higgins, who assessed the wounds of the two soldiers.

A Taliban fighter threw a gr***de at their position, which landed 10 meters from them. The gr***de detonated, and the blast knocked the three soldiers to the ground, wounding Higgins, and further wounding Robinson.

Shortly thereafter, the three were joined by SSG James Roberts and SPC Christopher Gathercole. A Taliban fighter threw another gr***de, which landed a few feet from Higgins and Robinson. Knowing the risk, Petry picked up and attempted to throw the gr***de in the direction of the Taliban.

Petry later recalled his immediate reaction was, "Get it out of here, get it away from the guys and myself. And I reached over, leaned over to the right, grabbed it with my hand, and I threw it as hard as I could, what I thought was at the time. And as soon as I opened my hand to let it go, it just exploded instantly. And I came back, and the hand was completely severed off."

The detonation amputated his right hand and sprayed his body with shrapnel. Petry likely saved the two other soldiers from serious injury or death.

Petry placed a tourniquet on his right arm. Roberts began to fire at the Taliban fighters, suppressing them in the courtyard. An additional fighter on the east end of the courtyard fired, fatally wounding Gathercole. Higgins and Robinson returned fire, killing that fighter. They were joined by SFC Jerod Staidle, the platoon sergeant, and SPC Gary Depriest, a medic. Directing the medic to treat Gathercole, Petry was assisted by Staide and Higgins to the casualty collection point.

From his Medal of Honor presentation: "Every human impulse would tell someone to turn away. Every soldier is trained to seek cover. That's what Sergeant Leroy Petry could have done. Instead, this wounded Ranger, this 28-year-old man with his whole life ahead of him, this husband and father of four, did something extraordinary. He lunged forward, toward the live gr***de. He picked it up...and threw it back - just as it exploded."
~ President Barack Obama, Medal of Honor Ceremony, July 12, 2011

Ranger Petry deployed eight times in support of overseas contingency operations with two tours to Iraq and six tours to Afghanistan.

THE MEDAL OF HONOR

Leroy Arthur Petry
Rank: Staff Sergeant (rank at presentation: Sergeant First Class; highest rank: Master Sergeant)
Conflict/Era: War on Terrorism (Afghanistan)
Unit/Command:
Company D, 2d Battalion,
75th Ranger Regiment
Military Service Branch: U.S. Army
Medal of Honor Action Date: May 26, 2008
Medal of Honor Action Place: Paktya Province, Afghanistan

https://www.cmohs.org/recipients/leroy-a-petry

Citation:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty: Staff Sergeant Leroy A. Petry distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty in action with an armed enemy in the vicinity of Paktya Province, Afghanistan, on May 26, 2008. As a Weapons Squad Leader with D Company, 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Staff Sergeant Petry moved to clear the courtyard of a house that potentially contained high-value combatants. While crossing the courtyard, Staff Sergeant Petry and another Ranger were engaged and wounded by automatic weapons fire from enemy fighters. Still under enemy fire, and wounded in both legs, Staff Sergeant Petry led the other Ranger to cover. He then reported the situation and engaged the enemy with a hand gr***de, providing suppression as another Ranger moved to his position. The enemy quickly responded by maneuvering closer and throwing gr***des. The first gr***de explosion knocked his two fellow Rangers to the ground and wounded both with shrapnel. A second gr***de then landed only a few feet away from them. Instantly realizing the danger, Staff Sergeant Petry, unhesitatingly and with complete disregard for his safety, deliberately and selflessly moved forward, picked up the gr***de, and in an effort to clear the immediate threat, threw the gr***de away from his fellow Rangers. As he was releasing the gr***de it detonated, amputating his right hand at the wrist and further injuring him with multiple shrapnel wounds. Although picking up and throwing the live gr***de grievously wounded Staff Sergeant Petry, his gallant act undeniably saved his fellow Rangers from being severely wounded or killed. Despite the severity of his wounds, Staff Sergeant Petry continued to maintain the presence of mind to place a tourniquet on his right wrist before communicating the situation by radio in order to coordinate support for himself and his fellow wounded Rangers. Staff Sergeant Petry's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service, and reflect great credit upon himself, 75th Ranger Regiment, and the United States Army.

- - - - -
Please listen to this message to young people from MoH recipient Leroy Petry: "Take time to look around you and find people who need help - because one day everyone will need help, and one day it will be your turn. Stay true to family, and see each day as the opportunity that it is," says Medal of Honor Recipient Leroy Petry, in the latest installment of "Dear Young American."
https://youtu.be/K1xXQ-GDQR0?si=mMScJCrTXXL-Q4Xm

MSG Petry has been honored in:

- On June 24, 2013, a 9-foot tall bronze and stainless steel statue of Petry by George Rivera, Governor of Pueblo of Pojoaque, was unveiled at Santa Fe City Hall. Among the visiting dignitaries was Medal of Honor recipient Bruce Crandall.

- In 2013, a housing program was named after Petry in the Washington metropolitan area, funded by David Feherty's Troops First Foundation.

- The city of Santa Fe announced that the South Meadows Bridge over the Santa Fe River will be rededicated as the "Sgt. First Class Leroy Arthur Petry Bridge."

- In 2018, a unit for care of veterans in a psychiatric hospital in Marysville, Washington, was dedicated on behalf of Petry.

Leroy continues to speak and mentor on behalf of numerous veterans activities.

Sgt. Petry talks about his heroic actions in Afghanistan in 2008 du...

09/02/2026

The following is the legal history of the high-level al-Qaeda operative Saddiq al-Abbadi (also known as "Sufiyan al-Yemeni" or "Sufwan") spans over two decades, transitioning from battlefield operations in the Middle East to a prolonged, cooperative relationship with the United States justice system. Full post by Edward Gathercole available here: https://sonofbeing.blogspot.com/2025/05/impact-statement-read-at-sentencing-of.html

https://sonofbeing.blogspot.com/2022/06/the-conspiracy-that-killed-my-brother.html

𝟏. 𝐁𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 (𝟐𝟎𝟎𝟓–𝟐𝟎𝟎𝟖)
-Insurgency in Iraq: From late 2005 through early 2007, al-Abbadi fought with al-Qaeda-affiliated battalions against U.S. forces in Iraq. During this time, he was shot and wounded in a battle against U.S. military or private security (Blackwater) forces.
-Move to Pakistan and Afghanistan: In approximately March 2008, he traveled to the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) of Pakistan to fight for al-Qaeda. There, he established direct contact with senior al-Qaeda leadership, including Sheikh Saeed al-Masri, the group's then-third-ranking member.
-The Paktya Province Firefight: In late spring and summer of 2008, al-Abbadi led insurgent operations in Afghanistan. Specifically, on Memorial Day, May 26, 2008, al-Abbadi led a firefight against U.S. forces in Paktya Province. This action resulted in the death of 21-year-old U.S. Army Ranger Specialist Christopher "Gator" Gathercole , a military Ranger K9, and left several other Rangers seriously wounded.
-The Ghazni Compound Trap: In June 2008, al-Abbadi planned a separate trap, attempting to lure U.S. soldiers into an explosives-rigged compound in Ghazni, Afghanistan. U.S. troops recognized the trap due to exposed wiring at the gate and safely evacuated before leveling the compound.
-Recruitment of Bryant Neal Vinas: Al-Abbadi used his al-Qaeda connections to help American citizen Bryant Neal Vinas join the terrorist organization. Vinas went on to receive military training and conspired to plan a terrorist attack on the Long Island Railroad in New York before being apprehended.

𝟐. 𝐄𝐱𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 (𝟐𝟎𝟎𝟗–𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟓)
-The Sealed Federal Complaint: In 2009, a federal criminal complaint (Docket No. 09-MJ-372) was filed under seal in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York (EDNY).
-Apprehension and Extradition: In January 2015, al-Abbadi was arrested in Saudi Arabia on the outstanding federal warrants and lawfully expelled to the United States. The Department of Justice unsealed the complaint, formally charging him with conspiracy to murder U.S. nationals abroad and providing material support to al-Qaeda.

𝟑. 𝐆𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐭𝐲 𝐏𝐥𝐞𝐚 (𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟓)
On May 26, 2015, al-Abbadi pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Nicholas G. Garaufis in Brooklyn.
He pleaded guilty to three federal charges: conspiring to murder U.S. nationals abroad, providing and conspiring to provide material support to al-Qaeda, and using a machine gun in furtherance of those crimes. Under the plea agreement, he faced a maximum sentence of life in prison.

𝟒. 𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 (𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟓–𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓)
Following his guilty plea, al-Abbadi spent over a decade acting as a cooperating witness for the U.S. government.
Due to the sensitive, ongoing nature of his assistance in complex national security matters, his formal sentencing was repeatedly adjourned and deferred by the court.

𝟓. 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐕𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐦 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 (𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓)
The May 21, 2025 Sentencing: Ten years after his guilty plea, al-Abbadi was finally sentenced by Judge Garaufis at the Brooklyn Federal Courthouse.
-Closed Hearing: Due to active national security concerns, the initial motion of the hearing was held in a closed session and the formal record remained under seal.
-Sentencing Outcome: Al-Abbadi faced four charges, each carrying potential sentences of 30 years to life. Because of his extensive and continuous cooperation, Judge Garaufis handed down a concurrent sentence of time served (16 years) plus an additional 90 days. Upon his release, al-Abbadi was placed on supervised probation and is legally required to remain a cooperating witness with the government for the rest of his life.
-Victim Impact Statements: The sentencing served as a rare and vital opportunity for Specialist Christopher Gathercole's family to exercise agency. Victim impact statements were read in court by Christopher's sister Jennifer Daly, former squad leader JR (under seal), and his older brother Edward Gathercole. Edward delivered a powerful statement utilizing Baha'i teachings to champion justice and inner peace over vengeance, choosing to look al-Abbadi in the eyes and extend peace and forgiveness. Judge Garaufis formally acknowledged and paraphrased Edward's statement, emphasizing Christopher's difficult upbringing in foster care and the tragic loss experienced by his young daughter.

08/29/2026

The following is the legal history of the high-level al-Qaeda operative Saddiq al-Abbadi (also known as "Sufiyan al-Yemeni" or "Sufwan") spans over two decades, transitioning from battlefield operations in the Middle East to a prolonged, cooperative relationship with the United States justice system. Full post by Edward Gathercole available here: https://sonofbeing.blogspot.com/2025/05/impact-statement-read-at-sentencing-of.html

𝟏. 𝐁𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 (𝟐𝟎𝟎𝟓–𝟐𝟎𝟎𝟖)
-Insurgency in Iraq: From late 2005 through early 2007, al-Abbadi fought with al-Qaeda-affiliated battalions against U.S. forces in Iraq. During this time, he was shot and wounded in a battle against U.S. military or private security (Blackwater) forces.
-Move to Pakistan and Afghanistan: In approximately March 2008, he traveled to the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) of Pakistan to fight for al-Qaeda. There, he established direct contact with senior al-Qaeda leadership, including Sheikh Saeed al-Masri, the group's then-third-ranking member.
-The Paktya Province Firefight: In late spring and summer of 2008, al-Abbadi led insurgent operations in Afghanistan. Specifically, on Memorial Day, May 26, 2008, al-Abbadi led a firefight against U.S. forces in Paktya Province. This action resulted in the death of 21-year-old U.S. Army Ranger Specialist Christopher "Gator" Gathercole , a military Ranger K9, and left several other Rangers seriously wounded.
-The Ghazni Compound Trap: In June 2008, al-Abbadi planned a separate trap, attempting to lure U.S. soldiers into an explosives-rigged compound in Ghazni, Afghanistan. U.S. troops recognized the trap due to exposed wiring at the gate and safely evacuated before leveling the compound.
-Recruitment of Bryant Neal Vinas: Al-Abbadi used his al-Qaeda connections to help American citizen Bryant Neal Vinas join the terrorist organization. Vinas went on to receive military training and conspired to plan a terrorist attack on the Long Island Railroad in New York before being apprehended.

𝟐. 𝐄𝐱𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 (𝟐𝟎𝟎𝟗–𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟓)
-The Sealed Federal Complaint: In 2009, a federal criminal complaint (Docket No. 09-MJ-372) was filed under seal in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York (EDNY).
-Apprehension and Extradition: In January 2015, al-Abbadi was arrested in Saudi Arabia on the outstanding federal warrants and lawfully expelled to the United States. The Department of Justice unsealed the complaint, formally charging him with conspiracy to murder U.S. nationals abroad and providing material support to al-Qaeda.

𝟑. 𝐆𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐭𝐲 𝐏𝐥𝐞𝐚 (𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟓)
On May 26, 2015, al-Abbadi pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Nicholas G. Garaufis in Brooklyn.
He pleaded guilty to three federal charges: conspiring to murder U.S. nationals abroad, providing and conspiring to provide material support to al-Qaeda, and using a machine gun in furtherance of those crimes. Under the plea agreement, he faced a maximum sentence of life in prison.

𝟒. 𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 (𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟓–𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓)
Following his guilty plea, al-Abbadi spent over a decade acting as a cooperating witness for the U.S. government.
Due to the sensitive, ongoing nature of his assistance in complex national security matters, his formal sentencing was repeatedly adjourned and deferred by the court.

𝟓. 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐕𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐦 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 (𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓)
The May 21, 2025 Sentencing: Ten years after his guilty plea, al-Abbadi was finally sentenced by Judge Garaufis at the Brooklyn Federal Courthouse.
-Closed Hearing: Due to active national security concerns, the initial motion of the hearing was held in a closed session and the formal record remained under seal.
-Sentencing Outcome: Al-Abbadi faced four charges, each carrying potential sentences of 30 years to life. Because of his extensive and continuous cooperation, Judge Garaufis handed down a concurrent sentence of time served (16 years) plus an additional 90 days. Upon his release, al-Abbadi was placed on supervised probation and is legally required to remain a cooperating witness with the government for the rest of his life.
-Victim Impact Statements: The sentencing served as a rare and vital opportunity for Specialist Christopher Gathercole's family to exercise agency. Victim impact statements were read in court by Christopher's sister Jennifer Daly, former squad leader JR (under seal), and his older brother Edward Gathercole. Edward delivered a powerful statement utilizing Baha'i teachings to champion justice and inner peace over vengeance, choosing to look al-Abbadi in the eyes and extend peace and forgiveness. Judge Garaufis formally acknowledged and paraphrased Edward's statement, emphasizing Christopher's difficult upbringing in foster care and the tragic loss experienced by his young daughter.

The sentencing of senior terrorist leader Saddiq al-Abbadi in May 21, 2025 marked a significant conclusion to a legal process that sought to...

06/06/2026

The legends of 2nd Battalion of The 75th Ranger Regiment run deep.

05/25/2026

In 2005 Christopher Gathercole's Court Appointed Special Advocate from CASA of Sonoma County dropped him off at the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) in Mountain View, CA to begin his enlistment. In Memory of Christopher 'Gator' Gathercole That CASA was Terrence V. It's his 78th Birthday today. In photos attached.

That action of a ride to MEPS speaks volumes of the support that is otherwise absent to those both in and leaving the foster care system that comes from these volunteer advocates.

Chris was KIA Memorial Day May 26, 2008. Edward Gathercole asked their CASA to help write his obituary still available today. https://sonofbeing.blogspot.com/2022/06/my-brothers-obituary.html

PS: The property in these photos burned down in the devastating Tubbs Fire of 2017.

05/24/2026

From Edward Gathercole, short stories highlighting the life and legacy of Chris. Also serving as background for the Coffee or Die article.

More stories found here: https://sonofbeing.blogspot.com/2022/09/article-i-helped-write-for-my-brother.html

Article: https://www.coffeeordie.com/article/ranger-batt-family

Black R***e Coffee Company one of Mat Best MBest11x companies.

CASA of Sonoma County

05/23/2026

Read on following this link. https://sonofbeing.blogspot.com/2022/09/article-i-helped-write-for-my-brother.html



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