SFC Javier J. Gutierrez was killed in Afghanistan last Saturday. SFC Gutierrez was a graduate of Burbank High School, where he participated in Junior ROTC. After graduating from high school in 2009, SFC Gutierrez joined the Army. His father, a Desert Storm veteran, had joined the Marines. The young Gutierrez had a stellar career in the Army. He went from the 82d Airborne Division to Special Forces. He was a Communications Specialist in the 7th SF Group. He had deployed before to Iraq.

SFC Gutierrez was bright and hard-working. He just came back to San Antonio this past Christmas with his wife and four children. They visited Kiddie Park and enjoyed a traditional Hispanic Christmas with the Gutierrez family, with tamales and pinatas. The senior Gutierrez explains that his son was humble about his achievements and experiences. He would talk about it quietly and calmly. And, he loved his country.  See San Antonio Express News report here.