https://projects.latimes.com/wardead/name/california-based/christian-d-gurtner/ The latest user comments on Christian D. Gurtner en-us https://projects.latimes.com/wardead/name/rowan-d-walter/#c190668 https://projects.latimes.com/wardead/name/rowan-d-walter/#c190668 Dear Rowan, you were so kind to ALL you came in contact with. You are such a great example of charity.You were a protector to those that were made fun of, you would take the shirt off your back and give it to anyone that needed it. What a phenomenal young man! We miss you and wonder what life would be like if you were still here.......most likely I would have grandchildren, a little Rowan or a little Priscilla running around..... You are in a better place and I am sure you are busy blessing lives over there. Till we meet again...... We love and miss you.THANK YOU! Sun, 28 May 2017 07:55:45 -0700 https://projects.latimes.com/wardead/name/rowan-d-walter/#c180387 https://projects.latimes.com/wardead/name/rowan-d-walter/#c180387 My fellow classmate. Loved that you always smiled and made me laugh so hard that I cried. I cried so hard when you passed. I couldn't even bring myself to go to your funeral. You were gone too soon. We had barely reconnected on facebook, and then you were gone. You are a true hero. I would never be brave enough to do what you did. I humbly thank you. Even though it has been so long, I still think of you often and know that you are in a better place. For ever peace. No more fighting. I have shared your story with my children time and time again. I remind them that we are safe because of our soldiers. Thank all of you. Fri, 22 May 2015 08:00:23 -0700 https://projects.latimes.com/wardead/name/rowan-d-walter/#c178829 https://projects.latimes.com/wardead/name/rowan-d-walter/#c178829 Rowan and I were in Iraq together. There's not a day that goes by that I don't think of him. Its b/c of him that i'm still alive. I was 3rd Plt. Medic in DCo, and on the day he was stolen from us, I had to stop by eagles nest where he was with his patoon to refill my aid bag after a long day of working on wounded soldiers. He was my best friend over there, we use to sit in the dirt, just him and I drilling each other on what to do in certain situations and figuring out how to arrange our aid bags, and he was such a special person it didn't matter where you were as long as you were in his prescence he'd always bring out the best of you. Anyways, on that faithful day I had to stop by to get supplies and he knew me good enough he could just tell that I had just about gave all I could that day. So when the Col's convoy got hit by an IED on route Trans Am I immediately pounded his fist, told him thanks and ran for my 113 (casevac vehicle), but before i could jump in he pushed me to the side and jumped in instead and looked back at me yelling at him with that goofey smile on his face lol. Well, that was the last I saw him alive, my casevac hit an I.E.D mins later. I just don't understand how a split sec decision could make such a difference. I don't know why it happened that way, Rowan was such a better person than me, and I carry that guilt with me always, but that guilt is one of the most valuable things i have, b/c if I didn't have it, would mean i wouldn't have gotten the chance to know him. So I just try to live everyday to the absolute fullest b/c they are all gifts that he gave me. Sun, 19 Apr 2015 05:51:11 -0700 https://projects.latimes.com/wardead/name/rowan-d-walter/#c177147 https://projects.latimes.com/wardead/name/rowan-d-walter/#c177147 As I said in my previous post, I will never forget you. Every Feb 22nd, I do what I can to celebrate your life, and reflect on our friendship. I hope that everyone who was close to you will keep you in their hearts. You truly were a great person. Sun, 22 Feb 2015 02:52:41 -0800 https://projects.latimes.com/wardead/name/rowan-d-walter/#c73208 https://projects.latimes.com/wardead/name/rowan-d-walter/#c73208 THANK YOU!!!!!!! For your sacrifice, words do little to describe our sincere gratitude. However, There is a hope for a future where such wonderful people will not have to die in the wars of the world. ISAIAH 2:4 And he will certainly render judgment among the nations and set matters straight respecting many nations and set matters straight respecting many peoples. And they will have to beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning shears. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, neither will they learn war anymore....REV 21:3,4-"death will be no more" Sat, 31 Mar 2012 10:45:13 -0700 https://projects.latimes.com/wardead/name/rowan-d-walter/#c46596 https://projects.latimes.com/wardead/name/rowan-d-walter/#c46596 Rowan we left for basic training together and we left for Iraq together. The time in between we became good friends. You were always there when someone needed you. I wish I could have been there when you needed someone the most. I will never forget you. May you rest in peace. We will meet again my friend. Tue, 22 Feb 2011 11:29:44 -0800 https://projects.latimes.com/wardead/name/rowan-d-walter/#c35137 https://projects.latimes.com/wardead/name/rowan-d-walter/#c35137 I remember at your mission fairwell sacrament meeting you sang for the musical number before giving your talk. Then at the beginning of your talk you said, "I'll never do that again." Wed, 04 Aug 2010 02:06:26 -0700 https://projects.latimes.com/wardead/name/rowan-d-walter/#c14557 https://projects.latimes.com/wardead/name/rowan-d-walter/#c14557 "I remember Back in basic trainging we were on the "ftx Mission" and we were clearing the street .. I had your back then but i wish i had been there to have you back that dad .. Now I'm in tikrit .. Hopefully we'll meet again in Vallhalla" Sat, 23 May 2009 03:27:11 -0700 https://projects.latimes.com/wardead/name/rowan-d-walter/#c10248 https://projects.latimes.com/wardead/name/rowan-d-walter/#c10248 He was a insparation to all of us in northridge,ca I wish I had a chance to say thank you. pfc chris melbihess 3rd id Fri, 09 Jan 2009 04:21:01 -0800