AW2(AW/NAC) Angel M. Gracia, US Navy - HSC 25

Mr. Hescock,

I apologize for the tardiness of this email. From the first day I met your brother, I knew he was a man that was very respected just for his genuine character and caring heart. I deployed with him on the USNS Shasta and the USNS Mercy. He tried to sway me to go STA-21, but I never thought I would make it b/c I measured myself against your brother. I have finally decided to give it a try. God willing, I will be submitting an application for next year's board. I always wondered how a great person came to be. I was able see that through the letters of your parents and yourself read during his memorial. You all did a great job in rearing a wonderful person. Your brother is sorely missed. God bless you all. You are in our prayers.

I'll go through my hard drive and continue to send more pics.

V/R
AW2(AW/NAC) Angel M. Gracia
Training PO
CBR Program Manager
HSC-25 Island KnightsAndersen AFB, Guam

Major & Mrs. Karen Mueller, US Air Force - Neighbors in Guam

Shaun & Ruth & family,
We had the pleasure of being neighbors of Christian and Ruth in Guam. I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Christian was a wonderful person that always had a smile on his face. I remember meeting him when he first moved to Mango Drive. I was out with a few of my kids & Christian had just got his puppy. My kids were so excited to see/meet the dog, that the dog jumped up on Christian causing him to spill his hot cup of coffee on himself. Christian just smiled & laughed.
We enjoyed our time on Guam as their neighbors and seeing their puppy grow; and all the beautiful landscaping they added to the yard. We are glad we had the opportunity to be his neighbor, and we know he's an angel watching over everyone now.
May God bless Ruth and your family.

Major & Mrs. Karen Mueller (Air Force)Bridgette, Mark Jr., Gretchen, Ingrid, & Katarina
Mango Drive neighbors

Chris & Marci Brunett, US Navy

Hi Shaun,

My name is Marci Brunett. I am so sorry to be emailing you under these circumstances, but I could not pass up the chance to tell you and your family how much I thought of your brother, Christian and his wife, Ruth. First, please accept my heart-felt sympathy and know that you are all in my thoughts and prayers every single day.

I am sure you’ve noticed a common thread in many of the posts – Christian’s selfless devotion to others. In that vein, I would like to share a short story about a time in the recent past that Christian impacted my life in a very real way.

My husband, Chris Brunett, was the Commanding Officer of HSC-25 from May 2006 until early August when we departed Guam for his new duty station in VA. During the last 3+ months of our time in Guam, Chris was deployed with the Air Ambulance detachment in Kuwait. Thus, he was not at home in June and July to help me prepare for our move. Now, after nearly 18 years as a Navy spouse, I have quite a bit of experience with moving, but this was the first move I ever had to do on my own.

In April a few days before Chris departed for Kuwait, the Wardroom got together on a Friday afternoon at the club and gave him a nice little send-off. We had a fun time and the party eventually moved to our house for a few more hours. I remember Christian pulling me aside as he was getting ready to leave that night. He said, “Ma’am, before your movers come to start packing your things I want you to call me. I’ll come over and unhook your computers and your other electronic equipment and pack it all up for you because if you don’t do it right then your stuff is going to get messed up.”

I thanked him and didn’t think much about his offer until a day or so before the movers were scheduled to begin packing. By then, Chris had been gone for about 6 weeks and I was knee-deep in preparing the house for the move, arranging the shipment of our car, coordinating settlement on the new house we were buying in VA and taking care of our two children. At that point and being a fairly non-tech-savvy person, figuring out how to unhook and pack up our two computers, stereo system and three televisions seemed like more than I could handle. So I emailed Christian and asked if his offer was still available, which, of course, it was.

The next afternoon on his way home from work, Christian showed up at my house with zip-lock bags, rubber bands, zip ties, a permanent marker and his usual friendly smile. He proceeded to spend at least three hours carefully unhooking all of our computer components and other electronic equipment. He painstakingly packaged and labeled everything. He also used my digital camera to take pictures of all the model/serial numbers just in case something was damaged in the move and I had to file an insurance claim.

Several weeks later, I had a question about how to back-up some files on another computer before shipping it. The very next day he arrived at my house again. That time he spent several more hours burning CDs of some files I didn’t want to lose if the computer was damaged or lost in the move. I specifically remember that he and Ruth had just returned from their trip back to the States a few days before and that Christian was leaving again the following day for some training in San Diego. I kept trying to kick him out of the house, telling him to go home and spend some time with Ruth before his trip the next day, but he would not leave until all the files were copied and all the CDs were labeled.

I cannot begin to tell you how much he helped me on those two occasions and how much I appreciated it. The computer I am using right now to send you this email was one of the ones he helped me with. It was also the computer I was sitting in front of nearly two weeks ago when I first learned of the mishap at HSC-25 and your brother’s untimely death.

So, I just wanted you to know that I am one more person whose life was touched by Christian’s kindness. Although I didn’t know him particularly well, I will always remember his thoughtfulness and generosity during my last few weeks in Guam. Many thanks to you and Ruth and the rest of your family for sharing Christian with all of us. My hope is that you will all take great comfort in the knowledge that your brother, husband and son touched so many lives in such wonderful and caring ways. I pray that the love he has shown to so many will come back to you and give you peace.

Warmly,
Marci Brunett

AN Charles Beatty, Guam, HSC-25 US Navy

Shaun,
Hi, my name is AN Beatty. I would like to say how sorry I feel for your significant loss and your family is in my prayers. I deployed with LT Hescock on the Shasta, Mercy, and the Flint. There are no words to express how I feel right now. Your brother was an admirable individual on and off duty and was always willing to lend a hand to anyone in need. As our division officer he put his people first and always made it his priority to cater to their problems. Also, his sense of humor was priceless. Mr. Hescock was by far the most knowledgeable person I have ever met. I was proud to call him sir, and I did on a daily basis.
I would like to share a story with you that showed how courteous and important your brother was to me. Just about a month ago I got in some trouble and was going to get separated from the military. LT. Hescock was there for me and guided me through this rough time in my career. He advised me that I should write a letter with my deepest apologies and ask for forgiveness. I agreed and had three days to draft up this letter. After finishing the letter, I showed him, and he said it could use a little bit of work. He then proceeded to take it home on his off time and add some of his past experiences with me to this letter. I got the revised letter back from him and was just ecstatic. Mr. Hescock spent hours upon hours on his liberty time to help me and I could not thank him enough. I thanked him over and over again. Then I asked him how I could repay him, and he said; "Beatty, you know I work for cigarettes". This says how LT. Hescock was an above-and-beyond type of person and will be tremendously missed to say the least.
I also have some pictures I will send later from the deployments your family may enjoy.

Sincerely,
Charles Beatty, HSC-25, USN

AZ1 Antonio Diaz, HSC-25 US Navy

Shaun,

I am sorry for the loss your family has suffered.
I worked with your brother at HSC-25, but we interacted more while volunteering for
various squadron projects around the island. We were tutors at our adopted middle school in the village of Yigo. He would joke with us junior personnel and give us hints on how to get a bunch of children to learn from us.
We all thought it was crazy of us to wake up early in the morning and teach a bunch of rowdy kids after a long week of working, but he encouraged us when our paths crossed at the hangar and school and said it would be worth it. He was right, it was and I am thankful I had the chance to volunteer with him. He was a kind man, and I am sure you do not need a stranger to tell you one of the many things he did for his country and the HSC-25 family. Peace be with you and all your family.

God Bless,
Antonio Diaz

OS2(AW) Bruce Golden, Guam, HSC-25, US Navy

I am OS2 Bruce Golden and I had the privilege of work for LT at HSC-25 for about 4 months. I consider myself to be self motivated, however, I can truly say that I have never in my 9+ years in the Navy been motivated, inspired, and encouraged like I've been for the past 4 months.
I have a story I would like to share. Recently I had the opportunity to travel with LT. I had to attend a Security Manager's Course in San Diego and he had some budget issues to iron out with the big wigs in San Diego. The trip Started out pretty funny when he and his wife Ruth picked me up from my apartment on the way to the Guam Airport. LT was running a few minutes behind and he told me that Ruth was pretty convinced that I had decided to head on to the airport thinking that he had forgotten to pick me up. I thought that was pretty funny because he said that she continuously reminded him of how late he was and then saying he should slow down. During our flight to S.D. I had a chance to get to know L.T. more than someone my rank would normally get to know their Division Officer. We discussed politics more than anything and he was so knowledgeable about the subject I almost felt like he was going to take a stab at the Governors position. He talked about his wife a lot and I can remember saying to myself " he really loves his wife". On the flight back to Guam is when I can't remember laughing so much. LT was in the isle seat on the left side of the plane and I had the aisle set to the right of him but I was in the middle row of seats. To the left of LT was a 7/8 year old kid named George whom had the window. There was a movie playing at the beginning so we didn't talk much but I noticed LT and the kid were talking a little. He was telling LT how he was flying alone and his Mom was going to pick him up once we arrived in Hawaii. Well, directly behind LT was a middle age woman and to the left of her was her 6/7 year old daughter. Apparently, the little girl had been kicking the back of Georges chair since take off and he had grown pretty tired of it. About 2 hours into the flight I heard George tell LT "excuse me for 1 minute Sir". George turned around very calmly, looked directly at the Mother while pointing at the little girl and said "If she doesn't stop kicking my chair I'm going to pull her hair". LT and I almost fell out our seats laughing. The Mom then looked around LT's seat and gave him a mean look as to assume she thought little George was LT's son. He noticed and didn't hesitate to notify the lady that George was traveling alone. The lady and her daughter changed seats and about 20 minutes later the little girl started kicking LT's seat. Little George noticed, looked at LT out the corner of his eyes and said in a very mature voice "would you like me to take care of it". LT smiled told him no thanks.
Shaun, your brother will missed by everyone who had the chance to know him and my thoughts and prayers go out to your entire family.

OS2(AW) Bruce Golden

AZ3 Angelica "Angel" Wood, Guam, VAW-116, US Navy

Shaun,
I didn't really get a chance to know Mr. Hescock very well, but I do remember him. He was positive influence on those he worked with and an inspiration even to those he didn't. May you and the rest of his family and friends have God's guidance in this time of pain and sorrow.

~AZ3 Angelica "Angel" Wood

IT2 Nicholas Devorak, Guam, HSC-25, US Navy

Shaun,
Having never been in your situation I can not even begin to image what you and your family are going through. I only ask that you and the entire Hescock family accept my deepest condolences. I am certain all of you are honored to have known LT Hescock better than any of us were given the opportunity to. While I did not fly with him I did have the privilege of sharing an office with your brother for the past 9 months. During this time I was blessed to get to know him as a friend and mentor as well as a boss. I will never enter the office again without thinking of him at his desk calling out, whatever crazy name he decided to call me that day, checking the status of the many projects we had going. No matter the work load he always took time to joke and humor us with his quick wit. He helped me not only in the advancement of my career, but as a person. He will be missed but never forgotten and we are all better for having had the chance to know him.

IT2 Nick Devorak

I collected all of the pictures I could find in our archives and passed them on to LCDR Orlosky. He should being sending them to your family. If there is anything you or your family need from us please contact me and let me know.

I would be more than happy to send any photos from the command that you may want. Once again thank you for your time and for sharing your brother with all of us.

LT Jim Kiffer, HSC-25, US Navy

A message from Christain's golfing, drinking, and cigar smoking buddy:

Dear Shaun and the Hescock family,

My name is LT Jim Kiffer, Christian and I met while checking into VT-28 in Corpus Christi. We followed each other all through flight school eventually ending up together here at HSC-25 in Guam. We had always known each other but were never really close, until I returned from DET. Our wives hung out nearly daily so Christian and I started seeing each other a lot as well.

It turned out we enjoyed several things in common, Beer, Cigars and Golfing. Christian was one of the most real, honest and loyal friends any man could ever wish to have. Christian was one of those friends who always had time to help, no matter what. When my brakes started squealing Christian instantly offered to spend his Sunday with me taking care of the problem. I will always Cherish those late night back porch sessions we had, talking about life and politics and smoking fine cigars. My Wife and I will always miss him dearly, and send our condolences to you and your family.

Sincerely
Jim and Jessica Kiffer

Jennifer Gaugler - Navy Wife

Your brother:

Shaun,

I arrived on Guam less than 2 months ago and never met your brother. However, my husband Ted was one of Christain's flight instructors at Whiting and knew him well. Ted rarely talked about his students, but he did talk often about Christian.
Christian was an absolute joy to fly with then and Ted was so looking forward to flying with him again in HSC-25 when he returns from deployment. I am so sorry that he never had the chance. Before attending the memorial service for Christian today, I took some pictures of the base flags at half staff. I thought you would like to see them flying that way in honor of your brother.

Bless you and your family and bless Ruth.

Jennifer Gaugler

LCDR Bruce Nolan, HSC-25 US Navy

Christian remembered:

Shaun,

I've been sitting here staring at this message now for a while. I keep writing, then deleting, the opening lines. I don't know what to say. I don't know words enough to say. I've been trying to do everything I can for Ruth. I also want to be able to do anything I can for you and the rest of your family. I do this because I know that Christian would have done the same for any of us.

Today was the memorial service. I heard your letter read and thank you for mentioning me. But you have to know, that I did this not because anyone told me to. I asked to be there when Ruth was notified. I wanted it to come from someone who knew him well. When I talked to your mother on the phone, it was so hard to tell her. I wanted to look you and your mother in the eye and tell you both that Christian was in an accident. I hated that I had to do it over the phone like that. But, unfortunately 7,000 miles of ocean separate us. I sincerely hope that one day, I can shake your hand and tell you what a great brother you had. I want to tell your mother I am so sorry. I want to tell your father how much Christian respected him. Christian used to tell me stories of sitting in coffee shops on his webcam and helping your father out with his computer problems. I know you all miss him, but you also have to know what a great man he was and how many people he moved.

It will be your choice whether to post the above message to you on the site. Please post the below story though:

There are a lot of great pictures of Christian on the site. However, the one that seems to be everyone's favorite is the close up of Christian holding the small boy in front of the helicopter. It was one of the first one's posted on your memorial blog. It appeared on every website with the news. We had it framed for the memorial service. I thought you should know the story behind it and see some other pictures of the same time.

We were on DET 2 on the USNS MERCY mission. It was a humanitarian mission to bring free medical care, medical education, and training to the Philippines, Indonesia, Bangladesh, and East Timor. The picture was taken during a mission in Simeulue, Indonesia off the coast of Sumatra near Banda Ache. It was hit by the Tsunami a couple of years before and we were trying to do what we could to help the area improve conditions. We had a difficult flight schedule and could not really work it out. So we decided to bring the helicopter into the landing zone and shut down to let the other helicopter continue with the other operations. Someone told me that it might be fun because we were going to a school and the children could get to see a helicopter and meet the people that fly it. Christian immediately volunteered. When we got to the zone and shut down, the children were hesitant to come over. Christian and the other aircrewmen stood next to the helicopter and invited a couple of the kids over. Then more came over. Then more, and more, and more. Pretty soon we were all laughing and showing the kids around. They were shaking our hand and putting our hand to their forehead, which I was told was a great sign of respect. They loved to get their pictures taken and then look at them on the digital cameras, even though we were could not print out any pictures for them. The adults showed appreciation with a lunch and coconut milk drinks. (One of the other pictures that I sent earlier with Christian sitting outside with a coconut drink in front of him.) That was one of my best experiences from the deployment and Christian was there. He connected with the kids, made them feel comfortable, made them laugh... It was like he was their best friend. And not one of them spoke English. That was the kind of person Christian was. It didn't matter what he said. It was his spirit that made him who he was. But I am sure that you know that. There are so many posts from people that were inspired by Christian. I said it before, he was a good man. He was respected by his superiors, his peers, those that worked for him, and those that he just knew. I could tell all kinds of stories of his selflessness, his unending devotion, and his work ethic. But you have read all those already.

Christian, we are going to miss you. But you touched our hearts, our spirits, and our minds. I salute your life. I won't forget. "Det 2 remembers... Always!"

Bruce Nolan

PS. A special thanks to PH1 Latham who took the original picture. I am not sure he knows how much it will be remembered.

AW2 Bradley Essick, US Navy

Sorry for your loss:

Hello my name is Bradley Essick. I use to work with your brother. I can't express how sorry I am for your loss right now. I might not have known Mr. Hescock as well as others but i did know him as a co-worker. He was one to always have a smile on his face and a cheerful attitude. I have recently been discharged from the service. One thing your brother told me as I checked out two weeks ago that i will take with me forever is, "This isn't the end, keep driving forward and good things will come." I know my words can never replace your brother, but this isn't the end for him, he has started a new journey. Your brother has inspired me to know that when one day ends, another begins for that I'm glad to have met him and known him and call him sir.

AW2 Bradley Essick

Jonathan Kline, Pilot - US Navy

Pictures of your brother and Ruth:



Shaun,



I can't even put into words what I want to say. I've known Christian since 1998 when we cruised together on the USS ESSEX, me as a junior pilot, him as a salty 2nd Class and H-46 Crewchief. I had the pleasure of serving with him again in Guam for 2 years He was a mentor to me when I was a junior pilot, new to the navy, trying to figure things out. The biggest compliment that I can think of is that there are people that you serve with in the Navy, that if you never serve with them again...well, that's okay. Christian was just the opposite. When he was selected for Seaman to Admiral, I hoped that I would serve with him again. When I left Guam, just last month, I got to have a long talk with him about life, the Navy and whatever came up. I left there with the same sense of hope that we would serve together again. He was that good as a person, as an Officer, and as a leader. He made a difference in people's lives.

I do have a story for you, and I will get it to you this weekend. It is the story of Christian that I remember most.


I have attached a couple of pictures for you as well. Can you please make sure that they get to Ruth also?



Jon Kline

* USS Essex - Number 2 on the hull, but second to none!

YNC Larry "Tony" Zabel - US Navy

My name is YNC Larry Zabel
First of all my prayers and thoughts go out to the family of LT Hescock. I was TAD to HSC-25 for 6 months working as the Admin Chief. Upon my arrival I began turning over the Security Manager position to LT Hescock. I worked hand in hand on a daily basis with LT and through our talks I realized how brilliant this Naval Officer was. He was proud of his degree and what he was doing for his country. Even though LT seemed laid back he was also a professional and took the job as serious as any officer in the Aviation Community. I can honestly say that he helped me both professionally and personally. The Navy will miss him and the country as a whole just doesn't realize what kind of pilot we have lost - but I do and he will never be forgotten.
God Bless
Larry Zabel "Tony"

Kevin LaVigne - Guam

Gonna miss him...

Shaun...

I helped support HSC-25's network and worked with your brother quite often. I always told folks at NCTS that HSC-25 was my favorite customer. This was because LT Hescock was so fun to work with. Great man. I'm gonna miss him.

V/R
Kevin LaVigne
Fleet Systems Engineering Team (FSET)
ONE-Net Local Network Service Center (LNSC)
U.S. Naval Computer and Telecommunications Station (NCTS), Guam

Patti Arroyo - News Director - Newstalk K57 Radio Guam

Thank you:

Thanks for sharing a personal story with us complete strangers in Guam. We are not at all as far removed from the military community as some might think. There are many of us who grew up with parents who made a career out of the military, have served in the military themselves or are serving now. I will always try to foster the relationship between the two communities by sharing their stories. I know our interview on the radio this morning helped people who would never have known him, understand that all of us have a friend, brother, husband, son, or co-worker who is so well-loved by everyone they've touched. Your mother was so generous when I apologized for interfering in your grief. She said,"Oh please don't be sorry. We want everyone to know what a good man he was." Now we know.

Thanks.

Patti Arroyo
News Director
Newstalk K57 Radio