Tribute to Troy
On the 27th of November in the Anbar Province north of Baghdad, Iraq, our dear friend, Major Troy Gilbert, lost his life engaging hostile targets in his F-16 Viper. 
Troy and his wife Ginger were a part of our Church here in Italy for almost three years. It was during those years that we kindled a special friendship as Troy served the Lord, his family, our Church, and his country while residing in Aviano.
A Little About Troy
Troy was a good listener and a good learner. He really wanted to know the Scriptures. Troy was also very careful about the “sources” that he listened to and wanted to make sure that he wasn’t buying into the modern church’s, candy-coated Christianity. From a pastoral point of view, this was one thing that I loved about Troy. He was genuinely sincere in wanting to know the Truth. He had a ready and earnest heart almost every time that I would teach or preach. Troy would regularly discover what words were the Father’s words for him that day. There’s nothing more exciting for a teacher than to teach a hungry heart. Troy treated the Church, the Word, and my calling with utmost respect. He was a faithful and generous giver to the mission and ministry.
Troy was also a great dad because he worked at guiding and shaping his children’s hearts in wisdom. He wasn’t just his kids’ “buddy”. He left this Earth with five precious ones that the Lord had granted him — and he had a plan for each of them. He prayed over their destiny and worked on their lives like a fine craftsman would ply his trade with painstaking patience. When it came time in our work here to teach a longer-term parenting course, I had great confidence in Troy and Ginger that they would do a good job. Instead, they did a great job and really impressed me. I have since learned to be very careful in our Church about what parents will disciple other parents in the strategic art of raising their children because Troy not only met the standard but raised the bar.
The Treasure of Memories
I have so many fond memories of Troy that it’s hard to just single-out a few that will capture what a special guy he was to myself and others.
I remember a few times that we had the chance to go golfing together. Troy would try to distract me with ministry questions to get into my head and slowly win the game. But I saw through this crafty tactic and not only answered the ministry questions he would strategically pose at me — but would also win the golf game because I was keeping score. 
Yes, we sure had a lot of fun on those occasions where we were able to play “at” golf together.
On Troy’s last day in Italy, he and I spent almost the entire day together. I think that day was one where we developed our friendship deeply. Both of us had come through some heavy trials in our work respectively. So there was a good deal of mutual solace that we shared. However, most of the day was spent talking about ministry hopes and dreams in both of our lives. We talked about our kids, the nation of Italy, and the last three years we had shared. Troy spoke with me about how important our Church covenant was to him. I remember him telling me repeatedly not to abandon the richness of that covenant that guides and protects our people. Well, we haven’t walked away from it and still treasure it dearly. We’ve kept it for nine years now. And, it’s been updated and revised for the better since Troy was with us. I sure wish I could show it to him now. He was genuinely interested and involved in things like this. I know he would soak it up in appreciation and genuine encouragement. Troy was a good encourager.
The last time I saw Troy in person (we spoke a number of times on the phone after this) was at a Cracker Barrel restaurant in Glendale, AZ. We had a great time with the Gilberts just “catching-up” on kids and events in our lives. At the end of the meal, Troy and his sons Boston and Greyson along with myself and Reilly went out to the front porch and sat down in the rocking chairs. There were very few people coming and going and the few minutes we passed there will remain with me as a fond memory for the rest of my life. The Arizona sun was setting into a golden yellow giving way to tides of orange-salmon over the desert’s ridges. The air was dry and beautiful. A monsoon was brewing off to the east, but the west was resplendent with beauty and color. Troy had his boys on his knees, and I had Reilly up on my lap. There we shared those moments of shalom with our futures. Looking into the distance, unknowingly for the last time we would see each other until Heaven, we shared how much we appreciated each other and how blessed we were with all these boys to raise as men. Oh, it was a rich moment of grace and rest and friendship. Thanks be to God — everything was really great out front of Cracker Barrell and will stay that way for years to come.
The Meaning of His Sacrifice to Me
Troy knew his job was one of danger, risk, and extreme importance. He knew his mission had to be done. Like many of the pilots I’ve come to know over this last decade, Troy’s steely nerves were no different. He had trained and meticulously prepared for every part of his mission even to the last moments of his life. To sum it up in one word, Troy was brave. In fact, because of his sacrifice, Troy was the bravest of the brave. This means that his wife Ginger and children are all brave too. They too have sacrificed for our country. Their love for America has deepened forever without option.
The meaning of Troy’s sacrifice is tremendously profound for my family and me. You see, Troy went into the barrage of fire and the flames of war where I have neither stepped nor flown. He did this so that those physical enemies of my country would be stopped right where they started and not show up at my door for 
as long as possible. Troy not only fought for his wife and children but also for mine. And beyond my family, he fought for thousands of Iraqi families too. The tyranny of Saddam & Thugs Inc. has not yet ended, but rather, it has hit us right in the gut by taking another one of our own.
With Troy’s profound belief in democracy came the opportunity to bring the Bible to a broken people. With the hope of war finishing came the hope that he had contributed to bringing a relative peace where people could hear God’s Word freely. Troy also knew that he was an active part of Romans 13:1-7. So, he was obedient to both commander & command because he recognized that they derived their source from the Almighty. In the end, the earthly sacrifice of Troy means that right, obedient, and Godly causes are worth fighting for. While war is the singular last option available to any just cause, when it became necessary, a good man went — and that was all that was required.
Why He Died ~ Why He Lived
Many people begin their questions about this tragedy with the word Why? Ah, this is impossible to answer right now because I don’t see the beginning from the end. However, I know the One who is both the beginning and the end and knows everything in between.
In other words, I don’t know why Troy died – but I do know why he lived. Troy lived to love the God of Heaven revealed in the Bible. He lived for fidelity in loving, cherishing, leading, and teaching his wife Ginger as their marriage matured through the years. Troy lived to bring God’s Word to his children and all of those around him at every opportunity presented him. He lived to be a devoted, God-honoring son, father, husband, friend, and warrior. Yes, Troy lived a life that was worth living.
When we explore the mystery of this tragedy, I don’t think that we’re left completely without some answers. I think we can come away with some rich principles of understanding for our own lives as well.
- 1) The first principle is that a storybook life through to old-age is never guaranteed for anybody.
- 2) A second thought is that even the good guys can go early from our human viewpoint.
- 3) Third, such an unexpected ending ought to bring an urgency to our lives that we listen to and obey God.
- 4) Fourth, we need to content our souls with the fact that Troy lived each day that the Good Lord wanted him to live.
- 5) Fifth, if this doesn’t have you thinking about Heaven, your heart and your brain are disconnected.
- 6) Sixth and last, God knows what He is doing. He will always do what is right. The Lord is sovereign, and He will remain that way forever and ever.
Troy’s Legacy
My hope is that Troy’s life and death will bring a deep soul contemplation to the many men and women who knew my friend. I hope that they will see that Troy lived for Jesus Christ of the Bible and died confidently in His saving grace. May friends and acquaintances look profoundly at their very own sin and recognize that they themselves can do nothing about their eternal destiny apart from the Savior who is Jesus. My plea is not that they turn to Jesus as Savior just because Troy was a true Christian and their friend too, however, may Troy’s life be their impetus for reflection, conviction, and confession. May they turn to the only Savior because the reality of sin has struck them deep in the heart as they stared at death through Troy’s tragedy. May they see that Troy will forever be in the presence of the Lord, but if Troy had not repented of his own sin while living, he would be separated forever from the love of God. I express these hopes for the Gilberts among fellow military members. Indeed, at this moment, I think very specifically of fellow-pilots and personnel close to the jet.
I’ve heard different men off-handedly slight our work and ministry because we have the “transient military” population that we shepherd. What others fail to see is that there comes a percentage of very high caliber people through the doors of our lives. These folks demonstrate love, servanthood, deep loyalty, sincere affection, and generous support to a missions outpost here on the Italian frontier. And, for a season of a few years, I get to be their Pastor. Then, the Lord knits our hearts together, and we get to be friends for life. Often, I feel so inadequate to shepherd such precious people. But the Lord charges me time and time again to do what is right and teach what is right — to feed His sheep.
The loss of Troy will always invoke an inspiration in my heart and alignment of my ways to stand for Truth. Troy left a personal legacy in my life which I hope to consistently transmit to others in the years to come. I sure miss him.
Thank You, Lord, for Troy.
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Rob,
I wanted to express my appreciation for your very thoughtful and kind remarks about my son-in-law, Troy, and my daughter, Ginger. They had many friends while in Italy and regarded them all highly. Your tribute is quite moving and one which I have copied and will save for the family in the event none saw it. Troy was a great guy and one whom I think about daily. Ginger and the 5 children are precious and will struggle with Troy’s loss for years to come. We keep them in our prayers daily as I hope you still do—they are precious!
Again, thank you for the sharing of your memories and may God bless you for your kindness and devotion to duty.
Comment by Jay Gurley — 3/6/2007 @ 1:42 am