Brick by Brick: The Inspiring Stories

Col. CE Zakszeski & Charles E. Zakszeski

by Sharon Zakszeski

My first brick order was in memory of my husband, Col. CE Zakszeski (Col “Zak”). He was commander at Sunny Point from 1991-1993. We, as a family, were fortunate enough to have the opportunity to reside in the Garrison House during his command.

My second brick was in memory of our Special son, Charles E. Zakszeski, Jr, known as “CJ”. CJ was a quadriplegic with cerebral palsy. The Garrison had 3 bedrooms and 2 baths, which were upstairs. (only a half bath downstairs). Zak was the legal guardian of his mom and to include our other son, Stephen, we needed 4 bedrooms and one had to be downstairs as well as a bathroom.

The East wing of the house was only entered from the outside. Previous commanders had asked to have it opened up to be part of the living part of the house, but the answer was always “no”. Our reason to open up the east wing was truly a legitimate one.

Zak went to Washington to “fight” for our cause and he won. (I must add that Col Willie Gore helped with our cause. And we will never forget).

It took about 6 weeks, but contractors went through 18 inches of brick in the kitchen to open up that wing and to create a bedroom and bath for CJ. It was known to the contractors and anyone who had to do work in this wing, as CJ’s wing. So, CJ is why this wing became part of the house.

I purchased 2 bricks once again: One in honor of my son, Stephen, Master Sergeant US Air Force. He finished the last 2 years at South while residing at the Garrison.

The second brick was in Memory of his stepson and my step-grandson, Dewayne, an Airman in the US Air Force. Dewayne committed suicide at Nellis AFB, in March 2022 and was only 21 years old.