Tears flow as hero returns

Utah's 15th fatality in the war in Iraq returned home Wednesday to a hero's welcome from tearful — but proud — family members.

Staff Sgt. Gregson Glenn Gourley arrived at the Salt Lake City International Airport Wednesday evening in a flag-draped casket as an Army honor guard greeted him and loved ones looked on.

Gourley, 38, a soldier with the Army's 101st Airborne Division, was killed Feb. 22 on routine combat patrol near Hawijah, Iraq, when a roadside bomb exploded near the Humvee he was driving. Three others in the division were also killed.

At Wednesday's honor guard ceremony, Gourley's family was reunited with his brother, Eric, who is also serving in Iraq but was able to come back to Utah to say goodbye to Greg.

"I'm very proud of the service of both our sons and all the men and women who serve," their father, Jerome Gourley, himself a former serviceman, said Wednesday. "Other families weep tonight. We're not the only family who's suffering."

Greg Gourley, a Midvale native and Hillcrest High School graduate, spent nearly 17 years in the military. He fought in the initial invasion of Iraq in March 2003 and spent the first 11 months of the war on the ground, fighting against repeated insurgent attacks. He redeployed in January, and he has now been awarded the bronze star for heroism.

"It's a great honor," Jerome Gourley said of Wednesday's ceremony. "He died a hero. It's as simple as that. Everyone — whether or not they lose their life — everyone who goes into combat is a hero. We owe them our gratitude regardless of whether we agree with the mission or not. That's immaterial."

Greg Gourley leaves behind a wife, Collette, three sons younger than 11 and a newborn daughter, all of whom live in Hopkinsville, Ky., where the family had recently purchased a new home.

"It's heartbreaking to leave a widow and four children," Jerome Gourley said.

A trust fund for his wife and children has been set up at Wells Fargo Bank. Donations can be made to the Gourley Memorial Fund at any branch nationwide.

Greg Gourley served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Pennsylvania. He served in the Utah National Guard after his mission, with aspirations to go into law enforcement, his father said. He received two associate degrees from Salt Lake Community College and was licensed to do private detective work.

He was stationed in Louisiana, participated in a tour in Italy and had since spent about five years in Kentucky, near Fort Campbell, with his family. His father told the Deseret Morning News last week that he "had a chest full of ribbons," having received several commendations from the military.

He will be buried Friday with full military honors in the Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 17111 S. Redwood Road.

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E-mail: dsmeath@desnews.com