Lt. Peter Gruters,
A Hero In Our Midst

Lt. Peter Gruters, an intelligence officer from Robins Air Force Base in Georgia, believes in the invaluable gift of touching the lives of others. A kid at heart, he finds joy and satisfaction in “blessing” others, in particular, a young boy he reached out to as a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters.

Lt. Gruters is being recognized as a national everyday hero by the Heroes In Our Midst program for providing friendship and being a positive role-model to 12-year-old Warner Robins boy, John Moss, through Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Heart of Georgia.

Almost two years ago, Lt. Gruters learned of the BBBS REACH program, which enables volunteers from Robins AFB to mentor children from seven Houston County elementary and middle schools. Although he is an active military officer, Lt. Gruters still found himself drawn to act on this opportunity to touch a child’s life.

“I really don’t feel like I’m deserving of such an award,” said Gruters, “I simply felt drawn to this program so I could be a positive role model for a young boy. Turns out that I was matched with John, who like me, is growing up in a single-parent home, so I feel like I can really relate to what he is going through.”

Lt Gruters always makes a point to stay in touch with his “Little” when he is deployed to the Middle East. “When Pete’s deployed, he is great about keeping up with me, and when he gets back in town, we go to the movies, out to eat and play video games,” said John. “He is like a big brother I never had.”

“It’s hard when I have to leave John, but he’s really understanding about my job and duties in the Air Force,” said Gruters, “and when I get back in town, it’s like we pick right back up where we left off.”

Lt. Gruters strives to be a positive male role model and example to John through his own life. He works with John to help him make smart life decisions and encourages him to handle situations in a respectful way.

“I just want to be a blessing in someone else’s life because God has blessed me.”

John looks up to Lt. Gruters and aspires to play football in college and ultimately go into the military. “I am so glad that Pete is in my life,” said John, “he is very deserving of this award and is a hero to me and so many others.”