February 9, 2007 -- Navy Hospital Corpsman Petty Officer 1st Class Gilbert Minjares Jr. died on Wednesday in a helicopter crash while his unit was conducting operations in Anbar Province in Iraq, according to the Department of Defense. The incident is still under investigation.

"He was a great man. I looked up to him. He was my inspiration, my hero," said Joe Minjares, Gilbert Minjares' brother.

Joe Minjares said his brother always wanted to help people and that's why he ended up in Iraq.

"That's the type of man my brother was. He wanted to help people. That's why he was a medic; he wanted to help people feel better," said Joe Minjares.

Gilbert Minjares was also a husband and father. He is survived by his wife, Jeanie; his 2-year-old son, Gilbert Minjares III; his 4-week-old daughter, Miranda Adison; his parents; and four siblings.

"It's not fair. I think they deserve a chance to see him, go to birthdays together -- you know, family things," said Joe Minjares.

Even though a tragedy has hit this family, the family said its loved one was loved-one was a man not to be forgotten.

"Some of the things we can do is commemorate his life and make this a celebration of a man who wanted to serve his country and wanted to serve others," said Eddie Pedregon, Gilbert Minjares' cousin.