KESLEYVILLE — The chances were slim to none of seeing Sgt. Richard Essex without a happy, quirky grin on his face, fellow soldier, Sgt. Michael Brewer, said.
“Even through a yearlong deployment to Baghdad, I never once saw him without it on his face. His sense of humor and attitude was just as happy and fun as he was, the type of person that everyone got along with,” Brewer said.
Brewer met Essex when he was a young private, soon after joining the United States Army.
Essex was a model soldier from day one, always listening and following every direction correctly the first time, Brewer said.
Essex was deployed from September 2009 to August 2010 for Operation Iraqi Freedom in Baghdad, Iraq and again from January to August 2012 for Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.
He was killed in action near Shah Wali Kot, Afghanistan on Aug. 16, 2012, living his dream of being a UH-60 Black Hawk door gunner. He was 23 years old.
Essex was escorted back to Kelseyville on Aug. 28, 2012.
A celebration of his life was attended by more than 1,000 people at the Kelseyville High School (KHS) football field on Sept. 1, 2012.
Essex, a 2008 graduate of KHS, arranged his own funeral prior to his death, to spare his family the stress of what he knew would be a difficult time, his mother, Marion Hopkins, said.
Several prominent figures of the community, family members and close friends spoke illuminating memories and stories of Essex”s life.
The celebration came to an end with the release of 1,000 blue and red balloons, scribed by sharpies with memories of Essex, Hopkins said.
Posthumously, Essex was honored with a Purple Heart, Bronze Star Medal and the NATO Medal. During his service he received upward of 20 additional awards and decorations.
In commemoration of the anniversary of his death, there will be a horseshoe tournament in honor of Essex today and Saturday at 5050 Konocti Road in Kelseyville.
The horseshoe pits where the event will be held were dedicated to Essex by Earl Davis, with a handmade sign and pictures gracing the property.
Essex frequented the horseshoe pits with friends, Hopkins said.
Registration for the event will be from 4 to 6 p.m. today, and the first game starts at 6:30 p.m. Saturday”s hours will be announced tonight at the event, according to Hopkins.
There will be prizes for the top six teams. First place will win $200, second place $100 and third place $75.
The cost is $25 per two-person team. Horseshoes will be provided but attendees are urged to bring their own.
Proceeds from the tournament will benefit Operation Tango Mike, which sends care packages every month to deployed servicemen and women.
For information, call Hopkins at 262-2111.
Amber Dems is a staff reporter for Lake County Publishing. She can be reached at 263-5636, ext. 39 or adems@record-bee.com.
