Jesse Castro remembered

Doring Jesus said her son Army Sgt. Jesse Castro always had a strong connection to the Christmas holiday.

Castro was even cast as baby Jesus in his church nativity play, but didn't make it because he was born days later than expected, she said.

Days after her son died in Iraq on Wednesday, Jesus said the holiday season will continue in his memory for his family -- including his wife Theresa Castro and 2-week-old son Jesse Castro Jr., known as Baby J.

"Of course, we didn't do any shopping so we don't have any presents," Theresa Castro said.
But she agreed with her mother-in-law that they would celebrate the true meaning of Christmas -- which is the birth of Christ and spending time with your loved ones.

"It's very special for us because our Jesse is in heaven celebrating with Jesus," the soldier's mother said.

"And the baby will be baptized on Christmas Eve."

This Friday, Baby J will play the role his father Jesse Castro didn't get to, starring as the baby Jesus in the Our Lady of Peace and Safe Journey Catholic Church's nativity play.

"Jesse knew he was going to play the baby Jesus and he was so excited," Jesus said.

The Castros were married in 2003 and were stationed in Germany for two years before moving to Hawaii in November 2005. Theresa Castro, however, arrived on island in June when Jesse Castro was deployed to Iraq.

Jesse Castro was a practicing Catholic, Jesus said, even while in Iraq. It didn't matter what religion, he would attend the service.

It's been the prayers and support from family and friends that have kept the family in good spirits through the tragedy, Therese Castro said. Phone calls have poured in from friends around the world, consoling the family of their loss.

"It's comforting to see all the people Jesse touched. He knew a lot people," Theresa Castro said.

Jesse Castro was among four other soldiers from Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, who died after a roadside bomb struck their Humvee. More than 7,000 Schofield soldiers left for a year in northern Iraq in July and August. Fourteen have been killed, according to a report from the Honolulu Advertiser.

Although the deployments to Iraq were inevitable, Theresa Castro said she supported her husband's decision to remain in the military.

"I'd be selfish to tell people not to join the military because of the risks," Theresa Castro said. "But Jesse died doing what he loved doing. He wouldn't have made a different choice even if he could."

Jesus said she listens to a two-month-old eight-second message from her son that she said she luckily saved on her answering machine to comfort her. Although brief, Jesse Castro tells his family in the message that he misses and loves them.

"We're still wishing that we're going to wake up from this terrible nightmare," Jesus said.

From the Pacific Daily News

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