1SG Alan N. Gifford
August 7, 1966 ~ September 16, 2005
Alan,
Not a day goes by that I don't think about you. I miss
you so much and cherish all of our memories. I would
give anything for you to have come back, alive from
Iraq, but that was not in God's plan. I will make a
promise to you that I will be the best Mommy and
Daddy that I can be to Mitchell and as he grows
up I will tell him how much you love us and what a
wonderful person that you are.
You are missed by so many and you left such a void in
all of our lives.I miss your smile and your great sense of
humor. You are my best friend and always will be. All of
your soldiers loved and respected you. You gave the
ultimate sacrifice and you will never be forgottten.
Everyday, I feel that you are looking down at us from Heaven and smiling. I will
be there too, one day, just be patient. So until we meet again, watch over me and
Mitchell with your loving grace.
We love you!
Your loving wife & loving son,
Beth and Mitchell
How Do I love Thee?
By Elizabeth Barrett Browning
How Do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of every day's
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right.
I love thee purely, as men turn from Praise.
I love thee with the passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints, -I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life! - and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.
Beth J. Gifford
--------------------------
I met 1st Sgt Gifford the day he was deploying with my son and asked him to take care
of my son. It was unfortunate tha Alan was in the tank with my son when cowards blew
up that tank and killing two and severly wounding two others, one of which was my son
Russ. Though I only met Alan once, he had a demeanor about him that made you instantly
like him. Russ often spoke about Alan and how well he thought of his men. . .
subsequently they all thought well of him. Rest in Peace Alan and may God bless your
family. I'm glad I got to meet and share a few minutes with you, my only regret is that I
could not welcome you back. Watch over my son Russ and as he recovers and gets to
use his new arm & leg, guide him in using it to promote freedom in your memory. Paul
Marek
Paul M. Marek
Beacon Financial Group at Suntree
Certified FAMB Instructor
Certified FAR Instructor
e_mail: paulmmarek@msn.com
Office: 321-254-7847
----------
3-29-06
The last time I saw Alan was his last day with us in Iraq and he was smiling.
He was about to go on yet another dangerous mission…but he was smiling. He was still
rubbing the sleep out of his eyes as he began to prepare himself for the next patrol. It
was the type of mission that a First Sergeant doesn’t always have to go on, but he did,
because he led by example. I remember laughing with him as he told me about the sector.
He found humor in everything and you could count on him saying something funny.
If God allows me to grow old, I will always remember Alan’s selfless leadership in Iraq. I’ll
be grateful that my Soldiers from Bravo were subject to his leadership and care. And I’ll
know that it was his loyalty to them and theirs to him and his positive influence that helped
them be able to face the darkest days….every day. I’ll know that he was a big part of the
reason that all of them came home alive.
Beth, I hope that God blesses you and Mitchell. I hope you find strength in knowing that
Alan was brave and that in this life, he passed the ultimate test….although for you it was
too early. In a thousand years, when we are all dust, what will matter is what he did…..
and in that will be Glory.
I can’t imagine the reward that must wait in the afterlife for one who dies so virtuously.
Hang in there. Alan is smiling and Hope springs eternal.
1SG Mark Barnes
Bravo Co, 4-64 AR
--------------------
4-10-06
1SG Alan N. Gifford was a true soldier's soldier.
There was not a day that would go by that I could not
go to 1SG Gifford and ask for advice or just to talk.
He would always take time to joke with soldiers,
NCO's, and officers alike. I remember how proud he
would look when he would bring his son to the office
to show off. He loved being a father. He was a
wonderful and charismatic leader and was looked up to
by his peers and subordinates. He will be truly
missed and will forever remain in my memories and I am
sure in the memories of the soldiers that he led.
People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only
because rough men stand ready to do violence on their
behalf.
George Orwell
August 7, 1966 ~ September 16, 2005
Alan,
Not a day goes by that I don't think about you. I miss
you so much and cherish all of our memories. I would
give anything for you to have come back, alive from
Iraq, but that was not in God's plan. I will make a
promise to you that I will be the best Mommy and
Daddy that I can be to Mitchell and as he grows
up I will tell him how much you love us and what a
wonderful person that you are.
You are missed by so many and you left such a void in
all of our lives.I miss your smile and your great sense of
humor. You are my best friend and always will be. All of
your soldiers loved and respected you. You gave the
ultimate sacrifice and you will never be forgottten.
Everyday, I feel that you are looking down at us from Heaven and smiling. I will
be there too, one day, just be patient. So until we meet again, watch over me and
Mitchell with your loving grace.
We love you!
Your loving wife & loving son,
Beth and Mitchell
How Do I love Thee?
By Elizabeth Barrett Browning
How Do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of every day's
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right.
I love thee purely, as men turn from Praise.
I love thee with the passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints, -I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life! - and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.
Beth J. Gifford
--------------------------
I met 1st Sgt Gifford the day he was deploying with my son and asked him to take care
of my son. It was unfortunate tha Alan was in the tank with my son when cowards blew
up that tank and killing two and severly wounding two others, one of which was my son
Russ. Though I only met Alan once, he had a demeanor about him that made you instantly
like him. Russ often spoke about Alan and how well he thought of his men. . .
subsequently they all thought well of him. Rest in Peace Alan and may God bless your
family. I'm glad I got to meet and share a few minutes with you, my only regret is that I
could not welcome you back. Watch over my son Russ and as he recovers and gets to
use his new arm & leg, guide him in using it to promote freedom in your memory. Paul
Marek
Paul M. Marek
Beacon Financial Group at Suntree
Certified FAMB Instructor
Certified FAR Instructor
e_mail: paulmmarek@msn.com
Office: 321-254-7847
----------
3-29-06
The last time I saw Alan was his last day with us in Iraq and he was smiling.
He was about to go on yet another dangerous mission…but he was smiling. He was still
rubbing the sleep out of his eyes as he began to prepare himself for the next patrol. It
was the type of mission that a First Sergeant doesn’t always have to go on, but he did,
because he led by example. I remember laughing with him as he told me about the sector.
He found humor in everything and you could count on him saying something funny.
If God allows me to grow old, I will always remember Alan’s selfless leadership in Iraq. I’ll
be grateful that my Soldiers from Bravo were subject to his leadership and care. And I’ll
know that it was his loyalty to them and theirs to him and his positive influence that helped
them be able to face the darkest days….every day. I’ll know that he was a big part of the
reason that all of them came home alive.
Beth, I hope that God blesses you and Mitchell. I hope you find strength in knowing that
Alan was brave and that in this life, he passed the ultimate test….although for you it was
too early. In a thousand years, when we are all dust, what will matter is what he did…..
and in that will be Glory.
I can’t imagine the reward that must wait in the afterlife for one who dies so virtuously.
Hang in there. Alan is smiling and Hope springs eternal.
1SG Mark Barnes
Bravo Co, 4-64 AR
--------------------
4-10-06
1SG Alan N. Gifford was a true soldier's soldier.
There was not a day that would go by that I could not
go to 1SG Gifford and ask for advice or just to talk.
He would always take time to joke with soldiers,
NCO's, and officers alike. I remember how proud he
would look when he would bring his son to the office
to show off. He loved being a father. He was a
wonderful and charismatic leader and was looked up to
by his peers and subordinates. He will be truly
missed and will forever remain in my memories and I am
sure in the memories of the soldiers that he led.
People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only
because rough men stand ready to do violence on their
behalf.
George Orwell
HONORING 1SG Alan N. Gifford
MilitaryMagnets.com
