Military family thanks golf world for support

Article Photos

Photos description

Isabella Ravella (from left), Ginger Gilbert Ravella, Jim Ravella and Greyson Gilbert watch the action Tuesday at Augusta National Golf Club.
Article Photos

Photos description

Ginger Gilbert Ravella's five children have received scholarships from the Folds of Honor Foundation, which helps dependents of fallen troops with money raised largely from golf fundraisers.
Article Photos

Photos description

Isabella Ravella (from left), Jim Ravella, Ginger Gilbert Ravella and Greyson Gilbert watch the action at Tuesday's practice round at Augusta National.
Article Photos

Photos description

Isabella Ravella (from left), Jim Ravella, Ginger Gilbert Ravella and Greyson Gilbert look at a course map at Augusta National.
Article Photos

Photos description

Ginger Gilbert Ravella takes a picture of her children Isabella Ravella and Greyson Gilbert at Augusta National.
Article Photos

Photos description

Ginger Gilbert Ravella points out golfers to her daughter Isabella Ravella during a visit to Augusta National Golf Club with her son Greyson Gilbert and husband Jim Ravella.

Ginger Gilbert Ravella prays that Masters Tournament patrons take a moment to give thanks for the freedom to watch the world’s best golfers at Augusta National Golf Club.

On Nov. 27, 2006, Gilbert Ravella answered a knock at her front door and was told the unthinkable. Her husband’s F-16 fighter jet had crashed during an insurgent attack, three months after he deployed to Iraq. Insurgents stole Maj. Troy Gilbert’s body from the crash scene, leaving behind only fragments of his skull for burial in Arlington National Cemetery.

“As you can imagine, we faced a lot of dark days,” said Gilbert Ravella, of San Antonio.

She tours the nation reminding others of the sacrifices that protect their freedom and thanking golfers and golf fans whose contributions to scholarship funds educate more than 5,000 children and spouses of the fallen.

Gilbert Ravella; her second husband, Jim Ravella; and two of her children visited Augusta National on Tuesday and she will speak tonight at the Double Eagle Club, a hospitality venue on Washington Road.

Her five children, ages 8 to 16, received secondary school and college scholarships from the Folds of Honor Foundation, a nonprofit organization that supports dependents of fallen service members largely with proceeds from golf fundraising events.

She said Gilbert volunteered for deployment when he was stationed at Luke Air Force Base in Glendale, Ariz. He saved 22 members of a Delta Force unit during the insurgent attack that claimed his life.

“I hope the golfers and fans will remember, by hearing my story, that I represent one of millions with similar stories,” Gilbert Ravella said. “Because of their sacrifices, we have the freedom to do what we love.”

As Greyson Gilbert, 14, started his day at Augusta National, he remembered his father’s love of golf. Greyson’s trip to the Masters sparked a greater interest in the sport for the eighth-grader who occasionally picks up a golf club.

“It’s pretty awesome to be where all the (golf) history has happened,” he said.

Slideshow: Tuesday Patrons