Christopher Shultz Goeke

West Point, 2008

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Wolf-Ekkehard Hindrichs on July 20, 2010:

It took me until my firstie year to meet Chris on the area. I was walking punishment tours, and he was the Brigade Duty Officer. Needless to say, my goal became making him laugh during the initial inspections. I grew closer to Chris at Fort Benning. We both had to participate in a combatives tournament, and I remember him making a deal with me that if he won the entire tournament I would go to his bible study with him. To my utmost surprise, I saw him take down everyone one by one, even the 6'9'', 350 pound 'man giant' as our mutual friend from the Washington Guard came to be known. Later that evening, there I was at bible study with Chris. I'm not a particularly religious man, and Chris knew that, but that was the kind of outgoing person he was. If he believed something was good, he went out of his way to share it with you; whether it was his religious convictions or a good restaurant in town. It was at Fort Benning that Chris became a sounding board from me to talk about whatever came across my mind--and I did my best to reciprocate this favor. When I heard about Chris' untimely death, I could not help but tear up. It saddens me and frightens me as well that he could be so close to coming home. Chris' death hit especially hard as I know we will be moving into his area of operations. His sacrifice will never be forgotten. You and your family will always remain in my thoughts; if I can ever do anything to help the Goeke family, do not ever hesitate to ask. You are missed, Chris.

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