Sunday, October 19, 2008

Major Alberto Gutierrez - Obituary

MiamiHerald.com The Miami Herald

Alberto Gutierrez, 46

Ex-airline pilot
was decorated vet


By Elinor J. Brecher
ebrecher@MiamiHerald.com

Maj. Alberto Gutierrez, of Miami Beach, a U.S. Marine helicopter pilot decorated for service in Somali, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia, died Oct. 14 at Miami's Veterans Administration Medical Center.

His sister, Lourdes G. Oquendo, of Miami, said the cause of death was liver disease.

Gutierrez, 46, flew for both American and Delta airlines after leaving active service.

He was born Dec. 22, 1961, at Mercy Hospital, 10 months after his parents and sister emigrated from Cuba. He attended Miami-Dade's Banyan Elementary, then the family relocated to Central America, where his father, also Alberto, worked for multinational corporations.

Her brother "always played with little soldiers and planes," Oquendo said.

After graduating from St. Francis Catholic High School in San Jose, Costa Rica, Gutierrez returned to Miami, lived with an aunt, joined the Marine Corps Reserves and enrolled at Florida International University. He graduated in 1984 with a bachelor's degree in international relations.

From there, his sister said, he went to Camp Lejeune for training, then was stationed at Pensacola. He flew small planes and CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters.

In the Gulf War, Gutierrez "was taking soldiers to the front lines then transporting troops to the front lines and taking back the wounded," Oquendo said.

Among his honors: Air Medal Numeral 2, for participating in an amphibious landing at Mogadishu in 1993.

After Somalia, Gutierrez became a training officer at the Milton (Fla.) Naval Air Station. Four years later, still in the Marine Reserves, he began flying for Delta, as a First Officer on an MD-88 passenger plane.

He joined American in the spring of 2001, also as a First Officer, and would have been on American Flight 77, which crashed into the Pentagon on Sept.11, had he not been hospitalized for injuries sustained in a car wreck, his sister said.

"He was saved," she said, but "he stopped flying."

In addition to his sister, Alberto Gutierrez is survived by a 4-year-old son.

Services will be held at 7 p.m. Monday at Ferdinand Funeral Homes & Crematory, 2546 SW Eighth St., Miami. Burial with full military honors follows at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the South Florida National Cemetery, 6501 S. State Road 7, Lake Worth.

Major Alberto Gutierrez - Bio

"SOME PEOPLE SPEND AN ENTIRE LIFETIME WONDERING IF THEY MADE A DIFFERENCE. THE MARINES DON'T HAVE THAT PROBLEM."

PRESIDENT RONALD REAGAN

Alberto Gutierrez was born to the proud parents of Alberto and Amparo Gutierrez, on December 22,1961, in Miami, Florida. He grew up surrounded by a loving family and an adoring sister, Lourdes. He received his elementary education here in Miami, before his family moved to Costa Rica; he graduated from St. Francis Catholic High School in Costa Rica.

Upon returning to the United States in 1980, Alberto joined The United States Marine Corps Reserve so that he could further his education. In August of 1984 he graduated from Florida International University, Miami, Florida where he received his BA in International Relations and Minor in Criminal Justice and Psychology. He turned his eyes toward an active service in the United States Marine Corps. He felt that serving THIS country, HIS country, was a way to make a difference in his life and the lives of others. He took an Oath to protect and defend this country against all enemies foreign and domestic. He carried out duties and responsibilities as an officer in the United States Marine Corps. Looking towards the heavens, he decided he wanted to be a pilot to soar the skies, to so see the beauty of this world miles high in the air, not just the ugliest of the war or its destructive aftermath. He was trained to fly CH-46 Knight helicopters. He was also trained to fly small aircrafts. He recognized that sometimes war is all part of being a soldier, and with that knowledge he became just that: a MARINE! He flew many missions during the Gulf Wars and Somalia, and it was during these missions he would transport soldiers to the front lines and bring back soldiers wounded in battle. His valor and courage under fire rose him in rank from a 2 Lieutenant, to Captain, then Major.

Major Alberto Gutierrez served this country with honor, courage, and distinction. He was the BEST in exemplifying what a Marine is. Whether it was on the battlefield, or in civilian life, Major Gutierrez took pride in being a Marine first, and a soldier second!

Major Gutierrez was a highly decorated officer having served in the Gulf Wars, and in Somalia. He was awarded the following medals: Marine Corps Reserve Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment w/1*, Air Medal (Strike/Flight) w/2*, Meritorious Unit Commendation w/1*, Southwest Asia Service Medal w/3*, Kuwait Liberation Medal, Navy Unit Commendation, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Rifle Expert Badge (6th award), Pistol Expert Badge Y(3rd Award), Coast Guard Special Operations Service Ribbon.

He lived his life to the fullest and he held no regrets. He fought his hardest and bravest battle, but God knew best. There are no more battles to be fought, no more missions to fly. On October 14, 2008, this Soldier of soldiers, a pilot who flew many missions, achieved his greatest flight...he touched the face of God. He was welcomed home. Well done, God's good and faithful servant. This good soldier, this brave soldier, this honorable soul, THIS MARINE received his Eternal Honorable Discharge and closed his eyes forever. As Paul wrote in II TIMOTHY 3:4 "HE FOUGHT A GOOD FIGHT, HE FINISHED THE COURSE AND HE KEPT THE FAITH." He shall be remembered and honored for his service to this country. For his courage under fire on the battlefields of Desert Storm, Desert Shield, Kuwait, Somalia, Mogadishu; and, for the many lives he saved and touched during his lifetime. His family will not mourn his passing, but they will celebrate his life. For as he reminded them..."Do not weep, for I have gone beyond the rim, and I shall see you all one day in a place where no shadows fall."


Services for Major Gutierrez, will be Monday, October 20, 2008 at 7pm. Burial will take place Tuesday, October 21,2008 at the South Florida VA National Cemetery at 11am with full military honors given to this honored veteran.


FERDINAND FUNERAL HOMES & CREMATORY

2546 SW 8th STREET

MIAMI, FLORIDA 33135


Major Alberto Gutierrez - Program

CELEBRATING A SOLDIER'S LIFE




MAJOR ALBERTO GUTIERREZ






MONDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2008

7PM

IN THE CHAPEL AT

FERDINAND FUNERAL HOMES
& CREMATORY


2546 SW 8th Street
Miami, Florida 33135



Pastor Yolanda Eden
Officiating


Under the auspices of

FERDINAND FUNERAL HOMES
& CREMATORY


FERNANDO CABALLERO L.F.D.




ORDER OF SERVICE


Family Processional


Prayer
- Pastor Yolanda Eden -


Scripture
- Old Testament -
- New Testament -


Reading the Obituary
(Silently 2 minutes)


Solo
- Edwina Hubert -


Eulogy
- Pastor Yolanda Eden -


Solo
- Edwina Hubert -


Acknowledgements
- The Society of Hispanic Veterans -
- American Veterans Alliance -


Benediction
- Pastor Yolanda Eden -


Family Recessional



ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The family would like to thank those who have taken the
time to express words of sympathy and comfort.
Maybe it was a phone call, or a visit,
or words of prayer.

Just your presence was enough
to let us know that you care.

Our very special thanks to the doctors and staff at the
Miami VA HealthCare System for all that you did to
provide Alberto with the very best medical care.


To Edwina Hubert, for being there for
us when we didn't know what to do.
You made sure our family was cared for,
our feeling of loss more bearable,
because you never let us forget
that we were never alone.
We take comfort in knowing
that Alberto received the burial
with dignity he deserves.


To The United States Marine Corps
for honoring one of their own.
As the motto says: "Semper Fi"


To The Society of Hispanic Veterans for
their acknowledgement of Alberto's
contribution to this country.


To The American Veterans Alliance for
their acknowledgements and recognition
of the many accomplishments of
Major Alberto Gutierrez.


The American Veterans Alliance wants you to know that
Major Alberto Gutierrez will not be a "forgotten" soldier,
but he will be remembered as a soldier who with pride,
dignity, and courage gave his best to this country,

There are many others we need to thank, and if you are
not mentioned it was not intentional, please forgive us.
For now our hearts are full, and at this time
we want to reflect on the life of Alberto.

At a later time we will thank all of you in a
more personal and proper manner.


- Photo Courtesy of John Hanley, Copyright 2008 -


Veterans' Obituaries is an online memorial service dedicated to preserving the memory of the brave men and women that have proudly served in our nation's armed forces. This site has been made possible through the work of The American Veterans Alliance and is committed to honoring those that have fallen and have paid the ultimate sacrifice in the name of God and country.






- Photo Courtesy of John Hanley, Copyright 2008 -


"May Our Heroes Never Be Forgotten..."

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