Fallen Coast Guard Port Securityman's Legacy Alive at Gill Golf Tournament

The Gill family will always grieve over the death of their son, U.S. Coast Guard PS3 Ronald A. Gill Jr., who was killed in the line of duty. And they have made sure grief didn't stop Ronnie Jr.'s legacy from living on, despite the tragedy.

The 5^th Annual Gill Golf Tournament was held on July 23^rd at the and family and friends gathered for a day filled with golf and an evening filled with food and great company.

Proceeds from the dinner went to the PS3 Ronald A. Gill, Jr. Memorial Scholarship Foundation.

“I think a lot of these people know what this is about,” said Ronald Gill, Sr. “This is not just another golf tournament.”

PS3 Ronald A. Gill, Jr. was part of the Coast Guard’s Maritime Safety and Security Team in Anchorage, Alaska. Gill was killed in the line of duty on March 25, 2007. While conducting operations north of Vashon Island in Puget Sound he was ejected from a 25-foot Defender Class Boat.

Gill died without meeting his daughter, who was born six months after his death. She was named Gracie.

While coping with the grief of losing their son, Gill’s parents were being bombarded with notices for school loan payments that their son had left behind. It gave rise to the creation of the PS3 Ronald A. Gill, Jr. Memorial Scholarship Foundation. They wanted to help students from being left with huge loans after college.

“Every single student that has applied for this has gotten something,” said Ronald Gill, Sr.           

A book signing for Jennifer Cowart’s new children’s book “I’ll Always Be There” was held at the event and a reading of the book was performed before dinner.

Cowart met the Gill family through the Girl Scouts. Cowart wrote the book in honor of the late Gill Jr. and Gracie.

The book goes on a journey with Gracie and her feelings that someone is missing from her life since she's never met her father and begins asking questions.

“I feel like it will help so many people and so many children who are missing someone,” Cowart said.

Other events at the dinner included live and silent auctions with prizes donated from many vendors. Prizes included sports memorabilia, golf bags, a 46” TV, and two plane tickets. About 50 volunteers from the PS3 Ronald A. Gill, Jr. Memorial Scholarship Foundation were present at the event to sell raffle tickets and assist guests.

“They took a really horrible thing and made a good thing out of it,” Cowart said.

The Annual Gill Golf Tournament is one of four events held in honor of Gill, Jr. The next event will be held on September 17^th at the Harborside Restaurant. It is the 2^nd annual benefit show featuring local band Witzend.

“I wanted to keep Ronnie’s legacy alive for his daughter Gracie,” said Ronald Gill, Sr. “If I don’t speak for my son, noone's  going to.”