Yvette Gauna, Friend

Hello Shaun,

I hope you are doing well. I took some time today to go through the website you put together for Christian. The first time I just glanced, anticipating it would be difficult to get through. But what an awesome memorial you created! It was beautiful, the tribute letter was inspiring and the music was perfect. It was incredibly uplifting, moving and showcased to perfection what his life was all about and how he touched everyone he knew. Shaun, that you gave everyone a place to express how they felt, and allowed them to grieve, during your time of grief, is a true expression of your love for your brother, and I hope it will give you the comfort you need.

As I read the messages, so many great memories of him came flooding back. One in particular came back and made me laugh through tears, and prompted me to write...when we had that hair-brained scheme to open a paintball field. Remember that one? We were both fired up to quit our jobs and be millionaires..and Christian could get me fired up like no one else I knew! What was I thinking? Must have been the endorphins and pain from playing paintball for 12 hours straight (might be a slight exaggeration). Then came the Shaun, cold water reality check..So why would you need a plan or insurance, or financing for paintballing? Thanks for that, right then I realized who the logical one in the family was LOL.

Through the years of phone calls and emails a handful of topics we always seemed to cover come to mind :
Politics (he republican, me independent/leaning to the left) so you can understand the length of our conversations, and the bantering that went on.
Yankees and his dislike of them
Our lives
But more importantly his love and concern for you (Owen, as he fondly and lovingly referred to you, and I grew to know you as.. I can explain if you ever want to know) and of course your mom, who he adored.

I hardly know you Shaun (yet feel like I do through countless conversations) and I would be remiss in not letting you know how much Christian loved, admired and respected you. He talked often of what you meant in his life. I absolutely loved his "Owen" stories as I like to refer to them. Some were hysterically funny, some shocking (I always reminded him there were 3 sides to every story), but always entertaining and definitely animated, as you know he could make them. He was very open about the challenges you both faced growing up and how it affected him. Having you as a brother to look up to helped to create the awesome man that he became. I hope he expressed that to you, because as a sibling myself, we often take for granted our relationships and don't let them know how much we love and are inspired by them. As you expressed, I will try and live my life to the fullest with passion, love, fun, inspiration, honor, loyalty and pride. A tall order, I know, but the least I can do to learn from, honor, and make sense of why his journey ended so soon. I will miss him the rest of my life.

Please know that I extend to you or your mom, what I did with Christian...that if he ever needed anything I would always be there just a phone call or email away. If you or your mom ever wanted to visit San Diego again, my home and heart is open to you. I hope we stay in touch and maybe some day we will play a round of paintball, decked out in camouflage or flight suit, light up a cig, and cool off with a can of Mountain dew for him!

All my thoughts and prayers,
Yvette Gauna

Jennifer (Holt) Pomerinke, Friend, Church

Hey Shaun -- this Jennifer Pomerinke -- better known to you as Jen Holt

Gosh - there are no words for times like this! I have been in shock ever since Susanna (Dinwiddie) Gangle called and told me about our great loss. I truly am so very sorry -- please give my love to your mom.

I have been thinking back of all the great memories I have you of both of you....like the time Christian insisted there was room for me to ride with you both in your 2 seater Triumph -- he gave me the front seat and jumped in the trunk! You both were so good to me and such as huge part of my "summer" memories in Oregon City.

When I was crying after I heard the "news" -- my little girl came over with a tissue, patting my arm -- telling me "you have to remember your friend died for a good cause Mommy". Thats the truth! I am so proud of Christian's accomplishments and the sacrifice he was willing to make for us! "Critter, we won't forget"!

Ruth, please know I am at a loss for words . . . .I can only imagine!

My love and prayers go out to you all

Jen (Holt) Pomerinke

Justin & Ramona Mangelsdorf - School & Long Time Friends

Shaun and Terryl,
Your family has always been such a source of strength and friendship to ours; I can't begin to express the impact. I am very, very sorry for the loss you have suffered, and know that words ultimately fail to ease the range of emotion I know you are experiencing. Please know that our deepest thoughts and prayers are with you.
My memories of Christian date back to his teen years - and I promise I will never forget his life and the unbelievable impact he had on so many people.

With love,
Justin and Ramona Mangelsdorf

Frank & Ruth VonHutten - Church Friends

Hello Shaun,
We have just heard of the accident of Christian. We want to let you all know that we are praying for all of you, that God will put his angels around you and comfort you during this time of loss. We are so sorry to hear this. Christian went to youth camp with our boys Johnathan and Jason VonHutten (Hall) for several years and I know he will be missed by so many. Christian, from what I remember about him, had a really big heart and cared so much about people. He was such a sweetheart. We will all miss his smiling face walking into the church from time to time.
Shaun, that is such an awesome blog you have put together for your brother. We miss seeing you in church sitting by Lolita Brown worshipping.
Sis. Hescock, we have missed you also.
Frank and I have moved from the Oregon City area and we now go to Bro. Graves church in Gresham. It's closer to us. We love it there also. Come and visit us. Well I will let you go I know you have so much to take care of right now, but I hope to see you and your mom again sometime. Tell her hello for us and that you all are in our prayers.

God bless you,
Frank and Ruth VonHutten

Shawn, Shannon, and Amelia Duffy

Shaun-
We are so sorry for your loss. Unfortunately we never had the honor of meeting your brother, but he obviously was a wonderful person who touched many lives and will truly be missed. Please know that you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. Thank you to those who fight for our Country and the wives and families who welcome them home with open arms.
God Bless!

Shawn, Shannon & Amelia Duffy

Kim Tuckey - Family Friend

My very deepest sympathies:

Dear Terryl and Shaun,

There is no adequate way to express my sympathy. I have always held your family in my thoughts, ever since you so graciously included me in several of your church, school, and family activities years ago. It was so gracious of you three, and I never will forget your kindness. Christian is so much a part of those memories for me.

I remember how purposeful he was, even as a teen. I remember admiring that about him even then. He was a boy who knew what he was going to do with his life and then as a man, fulfilled that plan. He died living the life he planned for himself, in service to his country. Few of us do so well with the time we are given.

He was funny, respectful, kind, and honorable. He could keep me laughing with the stories of his escapades with his friends and brother, he astonished me with his financial responsibility even as a kid, and he impressed me with his commitment to his family’s well-being. It is heart-breaking to know he is gone.

I was overwhelmed with grief when I got the news. I can’t begin to know what it must be like for you both and his wife. I imagine it was, is, and will continue to be a nearly unbearable pain; if there is anything I can do for you, please let me know.

Sincerely,
Kim Tuckey

Troy Cooper, Close Friend

When I think about your life Critter, I have come to the conclusion that some how you new you wouldn't be here long. You were so good to everyone you came in contact with, no matter who they were. You loved the people that you were closest to no matter their faults. You had a way of making everyone feel special. Christian, you gave everyone equal respect and you had a great zest for life. If I can find any good in this great tragedy, it is that I will now pledge my life to yours, to live my life like you did yours, Christian. I will passionately love my family and friends, be the best Father I can to my wonderful kids, be a great husband to my lovely wife Keeley, and try to treat everyone with equal respect. So if we that new Christan can be half the person he was, we will be honoring his time on earth with great respect. I want to thank you for being part of my life, and being my best friend. I will never forget you.

Your friend,
Troy Cooper

Carissa (Utley) Moore, Church Friend

Hi Shaun
Its Carissa Moore (Utley). I hope you remember me. I am Shelley Dillons Best friend and have known you and Christian since I was 12 years old. I first met Christian at youth Camp when I was 12 and continued to stay in touch over the years until I was 19. Even though we lost touch I still thought of him from time to time. He was the sweetest and kindest person; a true heart of gold. I will miss him. He was the kind of person that would do anything for anyone. I really admire what he has done and did for our country. I have so many memories of him and with you, Shaun. Im just glad I can say that I knew him.

Carissa

Cara (Koenig) Hall - Church & School Friend

Hi Shaun.....

Thanks so much for starting this blog where we can all share our memories of our dear friend Christian. I have so many fond memories of him during our school days. I, (like Noel), laughingly remember you and Christian running laps in the fellowship hall knocking over chairs, tables and whatever else was in your way!! I think it was a daily occurrence! He was such a wonderful friend (and big brother), and I feel honored to have known him. I am also thankful for his service to our country. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this time. Please let me know if there is anything I can do for you.

Love and prayers,
Cara (Koenig) Hall

Amanda Pearson - Church friend

Sorry to hear about your brother:

Dear Shaun,

I don't really remember your brother that much growing up, but I do remember how proud everyone was of him. I am truly sorry to hear about your loss, please let your mother and the rest of your family know that our prayers are with you. My mother and myself would like to know it there is going to be any kind of memorial here in Oregon for Christian? My Sister Tammie told me to tell you that her heart goes out to you and your family. May God bless you in this time of loss.

Amanda Pearson

I DO BELIEVE

by Jennifer Janiszewski

There is nothing i can do, to make him come back

There are no words I can say, that can replace the words you long to hear
There are no answer's I can give, that will satisfy your questions

There is not another soul I can introduce you to that will ever replace his

And, there is no love I can offer that will ever replace the love you shared
I can not promise your broken heart will ever be complete

I will not say it could have been worse

I will not deny it was a tragedy

I will not lie and tell you he will come back
He never really left
I do promise he hears you when you speak

I will say he loves you no matter the distance

I will not deny he is in a better place

And, I will not lie; he is waiting to greet you someday
He is every you step you take

He is in everything you do

He is the air you breathe

He is every beat of your heart
" He is like the wind. You can not see him...but you will always feel him"

Geri Graf

Shaun,
As you know, I was there when you and Christian were born. Shortly thereafter, we all went our different ways and were out of touch until your Mom had her open heart surgery. She asked Christian to try to find me. He was successful and I thank God everyday that you are all back in my life.
The first time I saw Christian was when you mom had her leg amputated. I remember walking into her room and seeing him. He was so full of life sitting there in your Mom's wheelchair doing little wheelies. You could just feel the love in the room. My time with Christian was short and I am sad about that, but I feel my life is fuller for having known him. My heart goes out to you, your Mom and Ruthie. My love, prayers and support will be with you always.

Love Geri

Phillip Wesson - Church friend

Shaun,

My friendship with you and Christian was brief. I do however only have memories of Christian with his big smile and gregarious personality. I sincerely weep with you and mourn for you. Christian will forever be in my list of personal hero's. I hold your family in my prayer.

Phillip Wesson