Mr. Gillies In Iraq Castaic!
Dear WR Baseball Coaches, Parents, and Freinds,
I wanted to write and thank all of you for your prayers, and support of me
and my family during my deployment to Iraq with the US Army Reserves. I was
called to active duty almost two years ago. One of the hardest things about
being away was missing all those ball games. Watching my boys play ball is
my favorite thing to do. I cannot say enough about your website. It
enabled me to keep up with the team and all of the stats. The site is very
professional and many people that I know from around the country have
visited the site and commented on how great it is. Thank you for giving me
some space on the site so others could keep tabs on me.
Many soldiers carry on thier person some type of "item" that they feel will
give them luck, or reminds them of home. I was no exception. On every
mission I carried a picture of my wife and kids against my heart in my flak
vest. I also carried my "WR" baseball cap. My "WR" hat sat in the dash of
my helicopter on every combat mission that I flew on. the WR hat acted as
my motivator. The hat reminded me of home and the freedoms we enjoy as
Americans. It motivated me to push on through the hard times and long days,
and to have courage during the scary times. It reminded me that half a
world away, a group of young men and coaches are practicing and playing that
wonderful American game of baseball, in peace and freedom. And the
preservation of that freedom is worth the effort and sacrifice.
So thanks again for your support. I look forward to "my" first season of
watching WR baseball. I wish you and team, both freshman and JV, the best
success this season. Thank you for building such a quality baseball
program.
Sincerely,
CW3 Peter D. Gillies
UH-60L Instructor Pilot
US Army Reserve
Picture of Peter as he was waiting for inspection of the things that he was packing to go into a shipping container to be sent home.
10/17/05
Image 7/28/05
6/28/05
Dear West Ranch Baseball Parents and Team,
Here is an update from Peter on a couple of his positive experiences that I thought you all would appreciate reading:
"I have had several very interesting missions over the past few months. Yesterday I dropped off some passengers in the Kurdish city of Dahuk. Dahuk is a city of over half a million in the mountains of northern Iraq. It is a beautiful city nestled in a valley in the mountains. It looks as if it could be any mountain community that you would find in Arizona or Colorado. All the streets are paved and the buildings are modern and up to date. Since it is the heart of Kurdistan, it is very pro-American. The Kurds had been abused by Saddam and forced to flee into the mountains to hide from the wrath of Saddam's military. The U.S. gave aid and comfort to the Kurdish people. We provided military assistance and protection. As a result, they love us. We were able to walk freely and securely around town. We were treated to lunch in a nice restaurant. The sons of the local General drove us around the town showing us the major highlights and landmarks. We were taken to a shopping area where we navigated narrow alleys filled with people, shops, smells of cooking meat and vegetables. Being tall and in uniform, the kids were attracted to me like a magnet. They were eager to shake your hand and try out speaking in English with you. It was the first and probably the only time that I have been out in the local population in Iraq.
Several weeks ago I brought some soldiers to a place called Guagamela. Guagamela is in the foothills north of the cities of Mosul and Irbil. The soldiers I dropped off were being given a guided tour of the area by an Iraqi General. Guagamela is the site of a great battle between Alexander the Great and Darius the Persian. Alexander defeated Darius in a great battle that marked the end of the Persian empire and the eventual domination of Alexander all the way to India. Near Guagamela we flew next to a mountain where a Monastery was carved into the mountain. In fact, it is not unusual to fly by a town or city in northern Iraq and see a large Christian church in the middle of town with a cross on the top of it. The two main Christian sects are the Assyrian Catholics and Assyrian Orthodox churches."
We are very thankful that Peter continues to be healthy and safe. My favorite part of the day is when I answer the phone and there is a pause on the other end which brings a smile to my face because I know it's Peter calling once again! :) It's hard for us to be apart, but we look ahead and excitedly await his return home.
Our family continues to be thankful for the wonderful friendships and support that our baseball coaches, parents and teammates have given us!
Sincerely,
Christine
Latest Image from Iraq
Mr. Gillies in Dahuk, Iraq
3 More Videos From Iraq
5/20/05
Email 4/4/05
Coach,
You do not know me, but I am a 23 year LAPD Senior Lead Officer working at Van Nuys Division. I have known Pete Gillies for about 5 years and as you know he is a pilot for our LAPD Air-support Division. He also sang in the Grace Baptist Choir along with myself and about 100 others. When Pete told us that he would have to leave for a while, we knew that he would be missed. His positive attitudes, his love of God, Country & Family were obvious and his desire to serve our Lord is foremost in his life.
The article in the Daily News was worthy of the front page and I will post this on the GBC Choir bulletin board for all his brothers and sisters-in Christ to see. Our prayers are also with Pete and his family for a safe return and for this war on terrorism to be a continued success. Knowing that millions of newly liberated Iraqi residents have already been out to vote, demonstrated against terrorism, and begun enjoying the freedoms that come along with Democracy, makes all the hard work done by our Military a definite success.
True, there will always be insurgents, unhappy with changes and eager to dominate their own with a heavy handed rule, but the big picture and the future as seen by a true visionary is:
1. We can never be free of tyrants unless we become part of the solution and not the problem.
2. We owe a great debt to all of the men and women who came before us, who made the ultimate sacrifice so that our Nation might live.
3. We must never sit back and allow evil to get a foothold anywhere within our reach or it will grow like a cancer, which it is, and infect our world.
4. Our trust in God must never be diminished by the same freedoms inherited at the cost of the lives of our forefathers and our Nation, which was founded mostly by Christians, seeking a Government which would allow all persons of faith to practice their beliefs freely and without fear.
5. Our lives and our children's children's children's lives have already been altered, in a positive manner, by what our fighting men and women have accomplished.
Our Homeland Security is working hard to keep those who would harm us within our own country from doing so and Pete and his comrads are seeing to it that we fight the evil on it's own doorstep and not in our own back yards.
God Bless Pete and keep him safe and protected in his Lord's armor. See you when you return!
L.A.P.D. Van Nuys Division and your friend, Ron Carter P.S. Phil 4:6-7
The 14-Year-Old Man of the House
By Bob Dickson 3/17/05
The Signal, a local Santa Clarita newspaper, ran an editorial on Charlie Gillies. You can read it following this link.
Signal Article
Daily News Photographer Hans Gutknecht Photograph
3/2/05
View Larger Size Image
Pilot father stays in touch with home front via Internet
Picture of Smock, Burrill, and Priske with flag from Mr. Gillies
2/17/05
The West Ranch Baseball Program would like to thank Mr. Gillies for sending this flag to us. The flag cam with a Certificate of Authenticity that read:
D/158th Aviation Regiment
1st Cavalry Division
This United States flag flew over Baghdad, Iraq in January 2005 on a UH-60L Blackhawk during high intensity aerial operations, in support of operation Iraqi Freedom II. It is presented with respect to
West Ranch High School, Baseball Coaches and Players
In honor of their patriotism and support
Presented by Peter D. Gillies
CW3, U.S. Army Reserve
Senior Aviator
Email Message
Hi Mr. Gillies,
Diane Wheaton is a dear friend and neighbor. In the true sense of what a small world it is, my best friend Sharon Malachi Smith, is the mother of your LAPD flying partner, Sean Malachi.
Diane has been kind enough to keep us posted on how you are faring in Iraq.
I wanted to take a moment to tell you how much we all admire your dedication, professional skill and faith. Might I add the same for your family, who are of course making a contribution of a different kind.
Please know that you have many people thinking of you. We are so grateful for the sacrifices that you and your fellow soldiers are making. You are creating hope for so many people that were hopeless - what a tremendous accomplishment. Once you are back in the neighborhood, I look forward to meeting you in person. Hopefully that will be soon! Bless you and stay safe up there.
Update 2/15/05
Coach,
Attached is a new picture that Peter sent me the other morning. He's very proud to be wearing his newly earned combat patch on his right shoulder. It represents the 1st CAV Division that he and his unit supported since November.
Hopefully we'll be receiving more photos soon! He's been really busy. He is now located in the northern part of Iraq. He said it reminds him of flying over the rolling, green hills of Coalinga and the Central Valley of California...with the exception of some ancient ruins along the way!
Thanks for your thoughts and prayers!
~ Christine Gillies
View Larger Sized Image Here
2nd Picture and an Email Message From Mr. Gillies
Dear Coach Casey & WR BB staff,
Happy New Year from Iraq. As a parent I want to thank you and all of the coaching staff for your hard work, dedication, and professionalism that you display to our young athletes. I regularly check out the WR BB web site for updates and stats. Thanks for displaying the American flag on the site. We must never forget that our freedom is not free. I have included a couple pictures from Iraq. The "WR" hat has already gone with me on several combat missions over Baghdad. If I could I would wear the "WR" hat everywhere. I know that the hard work the team has put in will pay off with victory this season. Looking forward to a safe return home. God Bless and thanks for your support.
Sincerely,
Peter Gillies
View Larger Sized Image Here
Coach Smock Email
I am in awe of Mr. Gillies every time I see this photo. It makes me very proud of my country and the men and women working to preserve our freedoms across the globe. It makes me wonder if I personally would have the courage to serve with dignity and honor as so many of our citizens have and continue to do. The phrase "freedom is not free" comes to mind when I hear stories of hardship and tragedies on the foreign and domestic battlefronts. I think it is great that West Ranch has chosen to highlight Mr. GIllies so that we as a baseball family can reflect on the accomplishments and dedication of brave individuals fighting under the stars and stripes. This picture means a lot to me personally and I hope it means something positive to others who view it. This picture should live and breathe on our web site during Mr. Gillies service to our great nation. It should serve as a reminder to God-fearing folks to keep our fighting men and women and their families in constant prayer. A man by the name of Abraham Lincoln said the following: "Finally I insist, that if there is anything which it is the duty of the whole people to never entrust to any hands but their own, that thing is the preservation of their own liberties, and institutions." Mr. Gillies and others are doing their part to protect our liberties and institutions. As civilians, the least we can do is lend our support to the troops and their families. I thank the American military, past, present and future for the blood, sweat and tears on behalf of our citizenry and the idea that is the United States of America.
Darwin Smock
1st Photo From Iraq and Email
My name is Dave Gillies and my grandson, Charlie plays for you at West Ranch. We live in San Jose, CA and have enjoyed visiting the website for news on how the team is doing. As you probably know, our son, Peter (Charlie's dad) is serving in Iraq with the U.S. Army as a helicopter pilot. He recently sent us this picture showing that even so far away, he still roots for the Wildcats!! If you need some extra firepower from the bullpen, send for him!!!!
View Larger Sized Image Here
