Charles B. Hester Obituary

Every now and then the past catches up to me, and I somehow found your name in my thoughts. I was right next to you that day, and although we weren´t the best of pals, I certainly feel the lack of your existence. See ya on the other side of the flagpole brother.

Hail Victory

I am participating in the Boots for Troops 5k event tomorrow in Nashville, Tennessee. I am honored to be wearing PFC Charles Hesters name on my back, running in memory of his sacrifice for our country.

To Charles Hester's Family, I am a 4th grade student with Clover Park School District. For Memorial Day this year we are learning about soldiers that died in a war. I chose to learn about Charles B. Hester. I chose Charles to learn more about because my great grandpas name is Charles. I think it is important to remember our soldiers that died. I looked up more about Charles because his picture wasn't on the fallen soldier's website. I am glad I did. I didn't want people to forget about how he died to save our country. I live in Washington. He seems like a very nice guy and very smart. I wonder what it would be like to be his friend. We are in class trying to learn more about him because he was in Washington. I will honor him at our assembly with a red flower. Thank you for sharing about your son. Remember you should always think of him like one of your own best friends that you will never give up on and never forget. Your friend, Ty

I am sorry for your loss and did not get this opportunity to tell you sooner. How he lived will long be remembered.

Remembering Hester. It's been 6 years and he has not been forgotten by his friends.

To the family and friends of Pfc. Charles B. Hester:
It has truly been my honor to sign Charles' guest book these past few years. Unfortunately, due to complications from my Multiple Sclerosis, this may be the last message I'm able to write. Please forgive me and know that Charles will always be remembered in my home.
With love and respect ~ Peggy

Sorry Hester...

May 26, 2012
To the family and friends of Pfc. Charles B. Hester:
Always remembering Charles. "Some gave all."

I Miss you Brother... I'm Sorry...

To the family and friends of Pfc. Charles B. Hester:
Please accept my remembrance of Charles on the anniversary of his passing and know that he will never be forgotten.

To the family and friends of Pfc. Charles B. Hester:
Remembering Charles on the anniversary of his passing. May our fallen heroes never be forgotten!
Peggy Childers
"Don't Let The Memory Of Them Drift Away"
www.IraqWarHeroes.org

2 years already and yet it feels like yesterday that our family received that knock that no one hopes to get. Not a day goes by that we dont think about you and miss you. We miss your smile and laugh, my boy, that loved nothing more then harrassing his mom and siblings and then his wife and daughter! We are so thankful that we have videos to hear your voice and hear your laugh and can keep that piece of you around forever.
The family went camping this weekend in honor of your love of the outdoors, it was a beautiful time, with great weather and family activities. This has made all of us realize how precious life is and that time needs to be made to share with each other how much we love them and share our memories of the good times with my beautiful curly haired boy. We hiked into a beautiful beach and were just about the only people there, where we could watch the eagles soar and hear the waves crash as the tide came in. We also found a house that was formed out of an old growth cedar tree stump and signed the guest book that someone had placed there in honor of our trek in your memory.
Today the girls and I are going to be at Tahoma doing some cleaing and decorating to let everyone know that you are loved and valued by your family! We are all so proud of the man that you grew into and the friend that you became for so many of the guys in your unit. You were loved , you are Loved and you will always be loved!
Mom misses you sooooo much and thanks you for the times you are able to show me that you are ok.

Ever year on my son's b-day I remeber what happened. I will alwys miss you.
Doc

To the family of Pfc. Charles B. Hester:
Charles gave the ultimate sacrifice and will be held in the hearts of Americans forever. I cannot and will not let our fallen heroes be forgotten. My deepest sympathy to you. "Some gave all."
Peggy Childers
"Don't Let The Memory Of Them Drift Away"
www.IraqWarHeroes.org

We love our Soldiers! We love our country and we cannot express enough love and compassion to the families. War does not discriminate – It breaks my heart to see the faces of the fallen. We want to give this gift to you. We are a 501c3 nonprofit organization! Over 1,300 portraits have been completed and shipped to the parents and or spouse - at no cost as this is a gift from one American to another!
Contact us directly at [email protected] or go to www.heropaintings.com. If you have already had a portrait completed, we pray that you are enjoying the portrait and God Bless You.
Sincerely,
Kenna

I thought that I would leave a note to tell everyone that the RC club that Charles was affiliated with did something in honor of Charles. The Classic Thunder held a dedication race for my husband.

"Boats hit the water for the season opener at Lacey and put on a good showing at the PFC, Charles Hester Memorial. The race was run in honor of soldiers, like Charles, who have lost their lives in service of our country and those currently serving in the armed forces."


Charles would have loved to know that. Actually I am sure that he went to the race. He loved RC races. If anyone would like the website, it is listed below.

I love you baby! You will and forever be my one true love.

http://www.classicthunder.org/History/hist_Hester08.htm

Well, it has taken me a while to go on any website that has my husband's name on it. The name still flashes images of condolence letters and memorial sheets. My husband was one of the greatest men alive. He had a sense of humor that would brighten the darkest rooms. I will miss so many things about this man. So many things that I will never get back.
The 2am barbecuing. Laying in bed late at night talking about our dreams. Going fishing in Idaho all day and almost all night. Driving back and forth from Idaho, and getting stuck on the pass. His love of BIG DOGS. Teaching our daughter her first song. Me always knowing what to say to make him smile ear to ear. His funny laugh. The way he stuck his tongue between his teeth when he laughed. The way he would carry Elizabeth. When he would walk her to the mailbox everyday. Nights I would wake up scared in the house, and wake him up to go check on noises. Making me breakfast in bed. His warm soft hugs. His big kissable lips. When his hair got really long and I shaved only half of it and took a picture. When I was pregnant, how he would rub my feet and make me whatever I wanted to eat. How he would do so many romantic things (even if we had no money) just to show me that I still have his whole heart. Talking about old stories about how we first met. How he loved to cuddle with me. Going on family outings and having so much fun. Laying in bed with my cold feet and making him warm them up with his warm feet. Letting him drive part way to Idaho when I was tired, and seeing him so nervous. Me grunting when I was cleaning the house, and him getting up and asking what I needed help doing. His supportive nature toward my dreams. Him being connected to me mind, body, and soul. Hearing everyone always tell me how much he talks about me. Watching him walk around the house with guitar in his hands. Him holding chords with the guitar and letting Lizzy strum it. His stinky socks he always left on his side of the bed. The way he always promised that everything would be ok. The way that he walked. When he always let me take pictures of him. His dreams of having a real wedding of our own. LOTS and LOTS of him begging me for another baby. His love for Elizabeth and I. Him wanting at least 3 little girls. The stories he would tell me of him and his brother Danny. Late at night when I couldn't sleep, him telling me stories of his childhood until I fell asleep. When he would wake up early in the morning and I would beg him to stay in bed longer. "Just five more minutes." He would say. When I would roll over to cuddle with him and he would be covered in sweat...gross...but still miss it. When I was cold in bed and he would be my heater. Him being my rock. His RC club meetings and races. His dreams of both of us joining the Aspca. His dreams of being a cop. When he was in Iraq, and I would be most down on my luck, he would sign in. The blanket he sent me from Iraq. Lizzy and I writing him lots of letters. His ears. Waxing his bushy eyebrows. His dreams of forever being with me and Lizzy.

There are so many things that I miss about him that I cannot put them all down in one day. He is with me and my daughter still to this day. She has so much of her Daddy in her that I can see him in her.

If there were ever anything I could do to bring him back, I would never hesitate. To all who have known him, be as thankful as I am to have had this man grace your lives in such a great way.

We miss you Charles. Lizzy talks about you all the time, and I always tell her stories. She remembers you. She will always remember you.
R.I.P. My love.

my condolences, I met this wonderful woman, we clicked right away she is my best friend, and She is also your beautiful wife! she has shared so many wonderful memories of you with me, you were her night and shinning armor, and will never be forgotton!

You are remembered and respected. Thank you Pfc Hester!

Charlie,
A year has come and gone. During my National Guard annual tour you came vividly to my mind. Last year I was granted a pass to go to see you laid to rest. I came in support of our family. I feel for your Mom, Wife and baby girl. Standing and paying my respects I couldn’t but watch your beautiful daughter. You live on in your daughter. I hope she grows up knowing that you are a hero, you made the ultimate sacrifice to save your squad.
You are my Hero! Cousin

Hi Charlie, It has been a year, who would have believed that any of us could have made it this far. There is not a day, hour, minute, second that goes by that you are not in our thouhts. The tears still come at the most unexpected times but they are no longer the heart rending tears that not even I could recognize as being from me.
I felt you with me this weekend as we were camping, you were with me in the mornings as I started the fire and coffee, on the trails as I was climbing the hills you lifted me to the top, and at night as I looked at the stars. All of us were there to honor you and your love of the outdoors, even the babies! Jack was on his first trip at 3 months and loved the fresh air and cold mornings and nights. He truly has been a blessing and is going to be such a wonderful tribute to your name. He is gentle and beautiful just like you and has your same stinky feet! ;)
I love you so much my son and always will.
Continue to watch out for us and take a few moments to let us know that you are ok and around us..
Say hello to all your friends, musicians, and family.. we miss you!
Love mom

Holding you all in my thoughts and prayers.


The Wind on The Downs

“I like to think of you as brown and tall,
As strong and living as you used to be,
In khaki tunic, Sam Brown belt and all,
And standing there and laughing down at me.
Because they tell me, dear, that you are dead,
Because I can no longer see your face,
You have not died, it is not true, instead
You seek adventure in some other place.
That you are round about me, I believe;
I hear you laughing as you used to do,
Yet loving all the things I think of you;
And knowing you are happy, should I grieve?
You follow and are watchful where I go.”

(Written by Marian Allen during World War l )

Two lines that I wish you to keep near your heart…….

“You seek adventure in some other place.
That you are round about me, I believe”


I did not know Charles, but I am remembering
his service. He is my hero. !

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Other Side

i'm over on the other side
where life and death softly divide.
left my skin and bones behind
now i'm over on the other side.

can you feel me there with you?
my breath is gone but i'm not through.
loved you then and i still do
from over on the other side.

i can fly. really fly.
below the earth ... all through the sky.
tell em all i did not die.
i'm just over on the other side.

it's good here on the other side.
the sweetest songs...the bluest skies.
thank you for the tears you cried
but it's good here on the other side.

i can fly. really fly. below the earth...all through the sky.
tell em all i did not die.
i'm just over on the other side

the world is smaller than a needle's eye.
where life and death softly divide.
when you leave your skin and bones behind
i'll be waiting on the other side.

i can fly. really fly. below the earth ... all through the sky.
go tell em all i did not die.
i'm just over on the other side.

Song lyrics by Don Conoscenti
C Desert Muse/SESAC
www.donconoscenti.com
(Used with permission)

“I hope it brings great comfort to any and all.
Peace on you. DonCon” 4-2008

Visit this link to hear the song.

The Other Side –
http://tinyurl.com/3o8gol



Sincerely,

Deb Estep ~ Ohio
Proud Air Force Mom and MIL

Remembering The Fallen – Blog
http://tinyurl.com/3z8p55

Please contact me and I will email you back a copy of my
Angel and soldier drawing.

I have so many fun memories of charles and think of him on a daily basis.. I can't believe he has been gone a year. To his family , I can't even begin to imagine the pain you must feel. He is a true Hero that I will never forget.

Charlie was a wonderful person. I can't say that I knew him all that well, which is a shame. He was a good person and I enjoyed breakdancing for him and Mary when we were younger. That's my favorite memory. He gave the ultimate sacrifice for us, and I think everybody should be thankful and proud of him. You'll always be in my heart and mind Charlie. Same for your family because they are wonderful people. It's so unfair that you lived such a short and quick life. In honor of Memorial Day I will be thinking of your heroic actions. Lots of love.

My deepest and most heartfelt sympathy to the family of Charles Hester. Thanks for your Soldier's Courage, Service and Dedication to our Country and Freedom.
The price he and his family have paid, will never be forgotten.
In the days to come if you find yourself feeling like you can‘t go on , recall the years and days you were blessed by his presence, this is the one thing that cannot be taken away from you are your memories, may you find comfort there and may God’s Peace strengthen you through the difficult days ahead and the emptiness in your hearts!
I am the Sister of a hero, who made the Ultimate Sacrifice in 2005 in Taji, Iraq and time does make it hurt less. What a great smile he has!

"And God shall wipe away every tear from their eyes,
there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying,
there shall be no more pain.
For the former things have passed away."
Revelations 21:4

NOW SERVING IN GOD’S ARMY
In His Memory,
Master Sgt James F. Hayes
1st Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, 101st Airborne Division Fort Campbell KY

I grew up with Charlie and I will always remember the crazy things his sister Mary and I used to do to him. When Charlie was about 13 or so he had a whole bunch of things on the door of his room that said his name "charlie" on it, well Mary and I thought that we would put a picture of Prince Charles on it since his name (the prince) was Charles. Once Charlie saw that on his door I thought he was going to kill us. It was scary then but now a very sacred memory I will always keep close to my heart and it will ALWAYS bring a smile to my face. I am saddened to know that I will never see him again because I do think of him as a brother but it is healing to know that he will NEVER have to place one foot on that enemy soil again and he will be safe in the arms of our heavenly father FOREVER! For every one that got to know Charlie personally and for those who have only heard of him, he is OUR true hero and his smile, laugh, and memories will stay in our heart always. I am so happy that I will be able to speak of Charlie with his family forever. He will truly and always be missed but NEVER forgotten! Thank you Charlie for making the true sacrafice for not only my family but this whole country, I will miss you our true hero and may you always rest in the arms of the angels.

Charlie was a neighbor of ours and best friends with my sons, Adam and Nathan. He spent a lot of time at our house as well as on camping trips with us. I could always count on him for a fishing partner when others didn't want to go. As a fellow Soldier myself, I salute you Charlie, and may God Bless you and your family.

There is nothing that I can say or do to take away the pain or bring you peace in your time of sorrow, but I will offer you and your family my heart felt condolences. I also offer you my prayers that in time the pain will easy and the memories of your HERO will carry you through each day and night. I want to thank your HERO, for his/her selfless act of becoming a member of the armed forces, his/her willingness to defend the United States of America, all that we hold sacred and for the sacrifice that will forever be etched in the memories of all those who knew him/her. Though tears can never bring him/her back, we hope that our tears express our gratitude for the sacrifice that he/she made and our sorrow at his/her passing. I believe for every fallen HERO there is a star shining brightly up above to remind us of the precious gift we were given.

Your mission on earth is complete and you are now a member of GOD’s Heavenly armed forces. Stand down brave warrior and take your rightful place in Heaven with all the HEROES who have passed before.

I made a special promise to LE RON A. WILSON, a dear family friend who joined the Army with three other friends, one of whom is my son (Le Ron was killed in action on 07/06/07 at the age of 18) on the day he was laid to rest as I touched his coffin, that I would never forget him nor would I forget those that gave their lives for our country before him, with him and after him and so when I came across www.legacy.com, I thought what a great way to keep my promise to Le Ron, so I will continue to leave tributes in each guest book until the day there is no longer the need to leave these tributes to a FALLEN HERO.

REST IN PEACE, HERO, YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN!!

PROUD MOTHER OF A U.S. SOLDIER
Currently stationed in Germany
Althea Barrett(Queens, NY)

Thank you for the sacrifice made by Pfc Hester and the sacrifice made by everyone who loves and misses him! May God bless all of you!!

As a very close friend of Charles "chuck" Hester i will never forget him. He was a brother to me. whenever i was down hester was there to help me up. late at night when i was on radio guard hester would come and sit with me sometimes for the whole hour i was up no matter what time it was and we would just talk about what we were going to do when we got back. i remember he told me he was going to teach me how to play golf. i truly regret that i will not be able to play golf with chuck. Roxanne if you read this my deepest sympathies go out to you. i miss him too.

I knew Charlie through my sister-in-law, his aunt, Mrs Jacquie Woolfolk. I was saddened when I heard from family that he had fallen. I'm heartened, however, by the manner in which he died- shielding his fellow Soldiers from harm. From all that I know, Charlie was a good Soldier and served his country with distinction and honor. As a Soldier myself, I can ask for no better eulogy than that. Well Done Charlie- Stand Down!

MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOURS. I HAVE JUST LEARNED OF YOUR GREAT LOSS AND WISH TO EXPRESS MY DEEPEST CONDOLENCES. PLEASE KNOW THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE OUT HERE WHO DO CARE AND YOUR HERO WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN. HOLD TIGHT TO YOUR TREASURED MEMORIES THAT HIS SPECIAL SMILE MAY CONTINUE TO SHINE. I PRAY THAT PEACE WILL FIND YOU ALL SOMEDAY. GODSPEED AND SEMPER FI.

A PROUD MARINE MOM

“Soldier”
Written to Honor the Service of Our Fallen Soldiers

Soldiers write history…they pay the price
Many miles distant, you live the life
Entered the Battle of our own free will
Out of Duty for Country, and we’d do it still

We hope and pray that all will find peace
In God, in the flag, in memories of valor
Gone now, our pride and courage you see
“An Army of One” our motto forever

Willing to risk all for love of our Brothers
We’re still Your Soldiers…and we showed the way
Our Lives too short, now pray for the others
Lived free died Heroes in lands far away

Deep within souls all cherished our Service
We’ll always have what some never know
Courage and Honor, our names forever
Lived life with purpose…just our time to go

We march in the Heavens with Honor and Glory
Missions accomplished we fought the Good Fight
Many years from now…we’ll tell the full story
Until that Day we will live in the Light

Our lives we laid down in a land far away
Still watching o’er you this night and by day
No need to talk…just know we are with you
There in your hearts and we hear what you pray

Yes we are your soldiers
Our lives we laid down
Still We guard o’er you
Still Duty bound

Entered the Battle of our own free will
Out of Duty for Country, and we’d do it still
We’ll always have what some never know
Lived life with purpose…it was our time to go

Jody , I'm so sorry. I know words cannot even come close to understanding your loss. God bless you and your family.

God bless the family and friends of Charles you will all be in our prayers.
Thank you Charles for being such a brave hero.

(In remembrance of Cpl Joey Cantrell 4-4-07)

My deepest sympathy to your family.I will always be thankful for your sacrifice and service.

Thank you!! You have left a great deal of respect and admiration in the hearts and souls of the ones you knew and the ones you have inspired. Thank you for being a friend and confidant to the ones who respected you and enjoyed your company. Thank you for being you and being there for the ones who relied on you, your service and commitment is truly appreciated from from the bottom of our hearts!!!

Jody & Family
We have known Charlie since before his birth,our son Michael has such beautiful memories of him and Charlie mowing the lawn and our daughter Sheri babysitting that brave little boy... Feel secure Jody in knowing that your son is within the arms of our Lord and being protected by Him and watching over your whole family now. Thank you for allowing us to share with you in the services of your hero.

My heartfelt sympathy to the Hester family in the loss of Charles. I did not know Charles, but my heart is broken and I am saddened for your loss of such a fine young person and hero. May God bring you peace in your heart as you reflect on all the wonderful memories you hold so close. Please know that you are in my heart and prayers. My heart was touched by the many wonderful/beautiful things written about you. Charles you are my hero and you will NEVER be forgotten.
I send each of you a hug from the most inner part of my heart.
Love and Peace
Tom

"To live in the hearts
of those you leave behind
is never to die"
~Robert Orr~

Jody, Im so very sorry to hear about the loss of your son. No parent should ever have to bury their child. If I can do anything please let me know or if you just want to talk or vent or a shoulder please feel free to get ahold of me. I cant imagine how hard this must be for you. Please know my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family

To Roxy and Jody,

I am deeply sorry for your lost. Charles was a good man and soldier. I am honored to have served and fought along side with him. He will be deeply missed but, never forgotten.

Dear Jody and family,

I am so sorry to read about your son.
I want to thank you for raising such a fine, and courageous young man. He is a hero.
I ask god to comfort you and your family in your time of sorrow.

Pfc. Charles B. Hester
you are my hero
may god keep you in his arms forever.

Dear Jody and family.
I offer you my sincerest condolences in your time of loss.
Though I have not ever had the pleasure of knowing your son, I know that he was a great young man, whom was loved deeply by his family, and was the object of respect among his peers.
This is a difficult time for you, and I want you to know that my prayers are with you all.
May GOD bless you and yours.
Respectfully,
Kerry Jacobson
Class of '76

My Deepest Condolences Jody to you and your entire family. Although I didn't know Charles, you must have been very proud of him and the sacrifices he made for our country. You are in my thoughts and prayers...Val Walker

Jody,
I am so sorry about you losing your son. I am lost for words. All of us that have children it is our fear they will go before us. I will have you and your family in my prayers.

As a friend of Charles I cannot stress enough that he loved his wife and daughter more then anything, his choice to join the Army was driven by his need to give his family security and stability. My only regret is not doing more things with him. I will miss you Charles.To Roxy and Jody I am truly sorry for the loss of your husband and your son.
Dennis

It takes one angel to bear him away
It takes one angel to hold your heart
It takes a lifetime to build a family,
And a moment to tear it apart,
Hold to the love that was yours alone,
The love only a mother can have for a son,
Think of him riding those spirit wings,
His toil and pain on earth now done.
-- Gwen Adams
My prayers are with you, Jody & Family

I am so saddened to hear of the death of your son. While there is nothing I can say that will ease the pain I wanted you to know that I am thinking of you and your family. Please accept my heartfelt condolences.
Rayetta CKHS 1976

Charlie is my nephew and I am so proud to say that. Charlie is a true hero who gave the ultimate sacrifice for all of us. When I told my son Ryan that Charlie was was not coming home, he immediatly said "Look at the bright side, he is with Jesus now" Charlie we will miss you.

I am so sorry for your loss. I guess Charles was blessed to have you for family and you were blessed to have him.
May he rest in peace. I am so sorry.

To the Family and Friends of this Soldier:
I will stand in grief with this soldier's family to honor him. For every fallen HERO there is a bright star that shines in the evening sky to remind us of the cherished gift we were given – even if for too short a time.
My heart breaks again as I sign yet another guest book of another courageous young soldier who gave their life so selflessly. I wish I never found myself in a position to have to sign another guestbook for the rest of my life, but I promised Brent that neither he nor any like him would be forgotten and so I will continue until the day there is no longer the need.
We lost our son SFC Brent A. Adams on 12/1/05 and it seems like yesterday. I wish so badly there were things I could say to you right now to make the pain you are feeling go away, but I know first hand there simply are no words that will bring you the comfort and peace your heart aches for. Just know that you are not alone. My heart, thoughts, and prayers are with you all as you go through this tragedy moment by moment and as you mourn this loss.
We don't know each other, will probably never meet, but will forever be united in the loss of our Heroes. We have, unfortunately joined a group none of us wanted to join, an ever-growing group of families in this situation. May God grant you peace and strength to get through this and be able once again to smile at a memory rather than have only the tears that flow so easily now. To be so proud of your loved one and so saddened at the same time is a mix of emotions very difficult to deal with as our hearts both burst with pride and pain together.
I am sorry that I never knew your soldier personally. While they can never be replaced, neither will they ever be forgotten. You must trust that sometime, someday the loving memories you have will help to sustain you and help you go on. This courageous soldier will forever be your Angel watching over you all for the rest of your lives. It's what brings me some measure of peace and comfort and I hope it will you as well.
To his family and friends in pain, I offer this comfort: When you find yourself in that dark sorrowful place, think not only of how you will miss him, but instead recall the years, days, hours and minutes gifted to you by his presence. The one thing that cannot be taken from you is your wonderful memories that now will mean more than ever.
If you ever want to talk, I'm only an e:mail away and would love for you to tell me more about your Hero.
God Bless this soldier and family who gave all and God Bless legacy.com for setting up this site where families can so quickly share their condolences and prayers with others like themselves.
Proud Parents of SFC Brent A. Adams, KIA, 12/1/05, Ramadi, Iraq
Pam and Bill Adams, Lancaster, PA

Take comfort in knowing that now you have a special guardian angel to watch over you.

Know in your heart that Charles is a true hero and will never be forgotten. All gave some, some gave all. Rest in peace Charles. You will be missed by everyone’s life you have touched.

To Charles' family, as the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life’s routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family, friends, and all Americans for the sacrifice of one of your family members for our freedom. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. May you find comfort in the loving embrace of our Heavenly Father.

I am thoroughly saddened by the loss of such a fine man as Pfc. Charles Hester. My husband served with him in Iraq and is truly devastated by his passing. Hester helped my husband Dustin get through all the hardships of this war. He only had wonderful things to say about his wife and loved her deeply. He will be missed.

Charlie was and is my son the 3rd child of 4. He was bright, funny and typical boy always getting his mom into some crazy mess :) We are very proud of Charlie for being so brave in doing his work while in Iraq and for leaving us such a beautiful baby girl that we can look at and see our son.
Thank you to all that have signed this guest book, it does help us to see that there are so many people across this great country that share our thoughts and beliefs in God and know that Charlie is now in a better place and joining that big band up there!

I saw my son Charlie last just before Christmas of 2006. I told him while giving him a big hug that I loved him very much, that I was proud of him beyond words and that he was and will always be my biggest hero. I also asked him to stay alert, be careful and come home safe. His reply was typical, “nah dad I’m just doing my job and anyway I’ll be fine, we take care of each other over there, I love you too.”

I will miss forever. Bless everyone for writting here.

-Chuck Hester

My sincere condolences to the family and friends of Pfc. Hester. May you find comfort in your loving memories, and know that all of America shares your sorrow. My flag flies in his honor.

To the family of PFC Hester,

My family sends their condolences to all of you for your great loss of an American Hero. We pray that your pain and sadness eases and your hearts fill with wonderful memories you have of PFC Hester.

We thank you for sharing your son and Hero with the rest of America.

All of us who have our loved ones serving our great country share your grief.

May God Bless you and your family.

Rest in peace in the sight and comfort of God.

As the mother of a son (my only child) who is enlisted in the Army, I want to send my condolences.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

REST IN PEACE MY FRIEND, TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS MAY THE MEMORIES OF THIS WONDERFUL SOLDIERS LIFE FILL YOUR HEARTS WITH BEAUTIFUL MEMORIES
GOD BLESS YOU

Father we entrust our brother Charles to your mercy. You loved him greatly in this life: now that he is freed from all its cares, give him happiness and peace forever. Welcome him now into paradise where there will be no more sorrow, no more weeping or pain, but only peace and joy with Jesus your Son, and the Holy Spirit forever and ever.
May God hold Charles in the palm of His hand. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. My deepest sympathy.

Please accept my deepest sympathies.

My heartfelt sympathies to your family. My heart breaks with each new name added to this list, and I am saddened by your loss. Know that you are surrounded by prayers, grace and the deep gratitude of all who live in freedom. My God hold you in his arms and grant you peace. Please find joy in the memories of your loved one and comfort knowing so many are holding you in their hearts.

My Deepest and Most Heartfelt Sympathy goes out to the family of Pfc. Charles B. Hester, with a Multitude of Thanks for this Brave Young Soldier's Courage, Dedication and Service to our Country and for Freedom.

The price Charles and his family have paid, Will Never Be Forgotten. May he Rest Safely, in God's Care and may the Peace of God be with the Hester family.
I am the Sister of such a young hero, who made the Ultimate Sacrifice in Vietnam, many years ago

"Surely He hath borne our grief,
and carried our sorrows."
~ Isaiah 53:4 ~

May you find comfort and strength, in the beautiful memories of times spent with Charles. Quietly and gently, may healing come, with each new day.
You are in my thoughts and my prayers.