"He's a light and lights don't get snuffed out early." - A Spouses Story, Ginger Gilbert Ravella
- S2E33
- 1:37:42
- March 3rd 2023
On 27 Nov 2006, Ginger Gilbert Ravella had the run pulled out from under her and her world came crashing down. Her husband, Major Troy Gilbert, was an F16 pilot from the 309th Fighter Wing, Luke AFB, Arizona. He was deployed to Balad and during a close air-support mission to a special operations forces about 40 miles north his plane crashed. Insurgents took the body as a war trophy and it would be 10 years before he was found and brought back home. Ginger was left to raise 5 children, all under the age of 9, and rebuild their lives.
Jay and Donna sit down with Ginger as she tells her story on what it took to come back after having her world turned upside down; what she is doing now to give back; and what advice she has for those that have walked in similar shoes.
Ginger’s Bio
Ginger Gilbert Ravella is a military wife and widow, mother of five, stepmother of two, writer and international speaker. At 36 years old, she faced the sudden tragic loss of her college-sweetheart husband in Operation Iraqi Freedom and the horrors that quickly followed. Her late husband, Major Troy Gilbert, an Air Force F-16 pilot, gave his life while saving over twenty Special Operation soldiers, defining a true American war hero. His remains were tragically taken from the crash site by Iraqi insurgents, which ultimately led to the most unprecedented and captivating story of recovery in U.S. military history. Major Gilbert left behind five beautiful children, all under the age of 9 years old. Ginger’s openly genuine testimony of wrestling with God in the midst of despair and depression resonates with those who question their faith and future in the face of tragedy. Their private pain became front-page news time and time again over the amazing ten-year journey of bringing Troy home to U.S. soil.
Contact Information
Websites
https://www.theanchorofhope.com/
https://www.neveralonewidows.com/team
https://www.garysinisefoundation.org/team/ambassadors-council
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Donna’s Links
Website: www.rebel-llc.com Consulting/Coaching
Book: Warrior to Patriot Citizen (2017)
Blog: Taking Off The Armor
IG: @thetransitioningwarrior
Twitter: @wtpc
FB: The Transitioning Warrior
Jay’s Links
Website: https://j2servantleadership.com/
Book: Breaking Average (2020)
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Beyond The Frontline
Beyond the Frontline tackles topics relating to transitioning from the Frontline to the Homefront. Your host, Donna Hoffmeyer is a 21-year retired Air Force nurse; with a career that spanned from nursing, flight nursing, education, training, readiness, and policy. Donna has a master’s degree in Sport Science and has co-authored her first book, Warrior to Patriot Citizen; focusing on ensuring service members are prepared for transition well before transition occurs. She also has her own blog, Taking Off The Armor, focused on all issues before, during and after transition and after retirement, as well as, a multifaceted business, REBel LLC, focused on veteran transition mentorship, consulting, and publishing her own work.
Donna is a 21-year retired Air Force nurse; with a career that spanned from nursing, flight nursing, education, training, readiness, and policy. Donna has a master’s degree in Sport Science and has co-authored her first book, Warrior to Patriot Citizen; focusing on ensuring service members are prepared for transition well before transition occurs. She also has her own blog, Taking Off The Armor, focused on all issues before, during and after transition and after retirement, as well as, a multifaceted business, REBel LLC, focused on veteran transition mentorship, consulting, and publishing her own work.