SecureIT Tactical has long been tied to the military, including hiring veterans like myself, Marketing Director, Josh Kinser. Our dedication to protection, safety, and supporting those who support us has made us the global leader in military weapon storage.
We truly appreciate the sacrifice of all heroes including those that did not make it home from conflict. Freedom comes with a high price, and we’re honoring our military’s sacrifices.
This Memorial Day, we’re highlighting three of our country’s bravest who made the ultimate sacrifice. Each have incredible stories, and you’ll find links to learn more at the end of each if you want learn more about what these American heroes did, how they died, and what their families went through.
SecureIt Tactical will be donating Agile 52 Pro safes, one of our top-of-the-line gun safes, to the Gold Star Family members below.
- Major Troy Gilbert’s sons – Boston (26) and Greyson (24)
- CW3 Michael Hartwick’s son – Tanner (25)
- ITCS (SEAL) Dan Healy’s son – Jacob (34)
Major Troy Gilbert
Maj. Troy Gilbert’s is the pure definition of Service before Self. Although known for his elite skills flying the F-16, he dedicated his life to his family, helping with church functions, and to serve and protect others.
On Nov. 27, 2006, Major Gilbert was killed in action protecting others. The 12-year Air Force veteran was assigned to the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing at Balad Air Base, Iraq. He had already completed 21 combat sorties in the F-16 supporting ground forces under enemy fire.
On one mission, he found and identified anti-Iraqi forces, then passed critical targeting information to coalition forces, who attacked and eliminated the threat. In another time-sensitive mission, Major Gilbert destroyed 10 insurgents concealed in a palm grove with the pinpoint delivery of a laser-guided weapon.
The day he died, Major Gilbert heroically led a flight of two F-16s in an aerial combat mission near Taji, Iraq. On the ground, insurgents were unleashing truck-mounted heavy machine guns, rocket-propelled grenades, small arms fire, and mortars to attack coalition troops. To add to the intensity of the situation, a downed Army helicopter crew was in danger of being overrun.
Major Gilbert knew that engaging the enemy meant certain anti-aircraft fire, but he went after the insurgents as his last act of service before self. He launched a strafing attack, aiming for targets on the ground using aircraft mounted weapons, against the truck and destroying it with his 20-millimeter Gatling gun.
Despite enemy fire, Major Gilbert continued to press the insurgents with a second strafing pass at extreme low-level to help save the lives of the helicopter crew and other ground forces. He lost his life on that strafing pass when his aircraft hit the ground.
Major Gilbert’s final act of moral and physical courage was conducted selflessly, just as he had always lived his life.
Read more about the recovery of Major Gilbert’s body 10 years later here.
CW3 Michael Hartwick
Army Chief Warrant Officer Michael L. Hartwick, 25, of Orrick, Missouri, was assigned to the 4th Battalion, 4th Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division at Fort Hood, Texas, and served during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM.
On April 1, 2006, CW3 Hartwick and another soldier died when their Apache helicopter was shot down while conducting a combat air patrol in Baghdad, Iraq.
With an all-American boy resume in high school, and having graduated from Orrick in 1986, CW3 Hartwick was a member of the National Honor Society and student council. Not only did he excel academically, he showed leadership from the start serving as senior class president while playing football and basketball.
In 1992 he joined the Army and trained as an Apache helicopter pilot. He served in Bosnia, Kosovo, Albania, and was twice deployed to Iraq. CW3 was awarded a Bronze Star, a Purple Heart, the Air Force Achievement medal, the Army Good Conduct medal, the Air Force Good Conduct medal for his service and sacrifice.
His teacher at Orrick Sandra Pendleton said it best, “When I heard the news, I thought, ‘That’s one of America’s best and brightest.” She went on to add “If you had a son, he was what you would have wanted him to be.” His wife Kerri adds “My husband, CW3 Michael Hartwick, died while fulfilling his life dream of flying the AH-64 Apache helicopter while serving his country. He was a true patriot.”
To read the story about how CW3 Hartwick’s wife and family were notified of his death and what they went through in the days after click here.
Dan Healy w/ Marcus Luttrell
At the young age of 36, Senior Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Daniel Healy of Exeter, NH died on June 28, 2005. He was one of 16 service members killed when a MH-47 Chinook Helicopter was shot down in Afghanistan.
The force was on a daring night mission to reinforce a four-man SEAL reconnaissance squad that had been ambushed in 10,000 foot mountainous terrain. A total of 11 SEALs died that day in the Global War on Terror. He was assigned to a West Coast based SEAL team.
Click here to read more about Dan Healy and here for the Dan Healy Memorial Run click the links below.
There are countless stories of bravery and heroism, and we look forward to sharing more with you throughout the year to honor those that serve and protect.