House of Hess: Thumbs Up!

We are a proud Navy family currently stationed in Hawaii, originally from Idaho, married 7 years with two amazing sons: Jack & Ernie. Come find us on Facebook or shoot us an email. We LOVE catching up with family & friends.
You'll notice this blog is mostly pictures. I decided to keep things simple. Alice said it best: "In my world books would be nothing but pictures". After all, a picture is worth a thousand words...
Enjoy!

CTT1(SW) MATTHEW HESS

Matthew W. Hess joined the U.S. Navy on March 18, 2002. After basic training in Illinois and 'A' school in Florida, Hess was stationed in San Diego, CA on board the USS Bunker Hill. While there the Bunker Hill was deployed twice to the Persian Gulf. In 2003, Hess' ship launched the initial Tomahawk missile strike starting the war in Iraq. The B-Hill was also among the US Naval ships to volunteer humanitarian aid to the victims of the tsunami in 2004. While running operations off the coast of Oman, the Bunker Hill made one of the largest drug busts in Middle Eastern history confiscating 50 million dollars worth of hashish. Hess was awarded 2 Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medals for his service aboard the Bunker Hill. In August of 2006 Hess signed up for a second enlistment to recruit for the Navy in Northern Utah. While recruiting Hess served as RINC (Recruiter in Charge) of Navy Recruiting Station Logan and was awarded several honors for his service including a Flag Letter of Commendation, Recruiter of the Year-zone six, 5 Gold Wreath Awards, 2 Navy/Marine Corps Achievement medals and The Navy Heritage Award. Hess reported to NIOC Hawaii, Direct Support in January 2010 for his third enlistment. Currently Hess is the check-in officer for new personnel ariving to the island and is also the Command Transportation Officer. Hess recently designed new software making his command's check-in process copmpletely paperless and 300% more efficient. Hess plans to make the Navy his career.

Ezra Taft Benson on the US Constitution

"George Washington referred to the Constitution of the United Sates as a miracle. In a revelation to the Prophet Joseph Smith, the Savior declared, "I established the Constitution of this land by the hands of wise whom I raised up unto this very purpose" (D&C 101:80). These were not ordinary men, but men chosen and held in reserve by the Lord for this very purpose. I reverence the constitution of the United States as a sacred document. To me it's words are akin to the revelations of God, for God has placed His stamp of approval on the Constitution of this land. I testify that the God of Heaven sent some of his choicest spirits to lay the foundation of this government, and He has sent other choice spirits- even you who read my words- to preserve it."

Our Story...

Matt and I met in 2001 a few days after the 911 attacks at my work party in Franklin, Idaho. He came with my friend. I thought Matt was insanely handsome. He thought I looked gothic (because of my dark hair and fair skin. Ha!). Somehow I convinced him I don't worship satan and we dated for 6 months before Matt joined the US NAVY. We got engaged in Chicago, IL at Matt's bootcamp graduation. Matt was in A-school & deployed after this. 13 months later Matt returned and we were married in the Logan, Utah LDS temple in 2003. After a honeymoon to New York City we made our home in San Diego, CA where Matt was stationed aboard the USS Bunker Hill. Our oldest son, Jackson Matthew Hess, joined ranks the year after. In 2006 we moved to Ogden, UT to Recruit for the US Navy. Our youngest son, Ernest Wendell Hess, came aboard in '08. As of now we are living on Oahu, Hawaii for Matt's 3rd enlistment doing Direct-Support for the ships. More as it happens...