Esau I. De la Pena-Hernandez, 25

Esau loved life. Loved serving his country and enjoyed every sec of his life. He taught me a few life lessons during our conversations. I'll miss you Ivan.

My thoughts and Prayers are with the family of Esau. he is in good hands now GOD is smiling right now :)

esau was the best leader I've ever came across always looked out for his soldiers and friends he kept me going when there was no hope I am proud to have served under his leadership we may have been the same age but he was like an older brother to me full of knowledge I would go anywere he would want me to go in combat no questions asked. that's how much I looked up to him.esau we are all gunna miss you but I know you are in a better place now.I am honored to have met you in ma life time I will never forget you.you will always be my hero.

i was honored to have known such an amazing friend and leader in my life time. we will all miss you but we know you are in a better place now. the time i knew you. you always looked out for us in horrible times. you were that guy you could talk to about anything and you would do everything in your power to help us for that i thank you with all my heart you are like an older brother to me always had ma back like i had yours. i thank god you were sent to us when we was in afghanistan you where an amazing true definition of a leader never took power you had to your head. i will always look up to you and never forget you.

I didn't know him, but he was my brother's friend. They served together in Iraq, and he talked about him frequently. I know my brother will miss him greatly. My prayers go out to his friends and family.

Esau is a true HERO! its a tragic loss but he passed doing what he loved. It was an honor knowing him and his family. My heart goes out to his family.

Although I never met him I worked with
his mom and I know she worried so much for his safety, and I know she was so proud of him..I can see where he has gotten his bravery and strength it showed every day that his mom showed up for work taking care of her patients as her son was defending our country.
R.I.P Esau Tanea B

We are do deeply sadden by his loss. We would always remember him. He would see me at the store and he would always hug me. I was so proud of him. It hurts me deeply and I just can't believe he is gone. My condolosence to his parents and family. Thank you for serving our country.

The Galvez Family

I HAVE GOTTEN TO BE BLESSED FOR THE LAST 13 MONTHS TO BE IN IVANS LIFE.HES A GREAT GUY WHOM I LOVE DEARLY AND WHOM WILL BE FOREVER MISSED.THANK YOU BABY FOR ALL THE GREAT TIMES WE HAD TOGETHER.U WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN,BABY YOUR MONKEY LOVES U NOW AND I ALWAYS WILL!!!!

Ivan you were an amazing person all around. Always there for a friend when they needed you and never ask for a thing in exchange, your compassion for the people you cared about was truely selfless.
You were a great friend and an even better one when I needed you the most.
I will miss you greatly and will never forget you.
My prayers go out to your family, my the lord above be with you in your time of loss and sorrow.

I did not know him but I know he was very kind to my brother who was currently serving with him. He sounds like he was a wonderful and honorable man. May God Bless him and may your family take comfort on this special day to honor all of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

I didn't have the honor to meet you Sergeant De La Pena but I know for a fact you will be missed. My condolences go out to your family, friends and battle buddies. May you rest in peace, you've given more than your fair share for this country and you will be remembered.

I went to High School with Esau he was a great person, was a good soccer player . I lost contact with him after I left to Arizona but I would still hear great thing about him from other friends. U are in a better place Esau where u can watch over ur love ones and keep them safe.

I still having the honor to kwow such great man,he came in to this country when he was only 11 years hold.He graduated from La Puente Higth school with one of my childrens and both decided to joint. to the MARINES.and serve this greath nation.I remenber him as humble kid His family and and my family didnt know that HE has earned more the twenty medals untill HE died serving the country to protect our liberty and our families.Thank IVAN ESAU.for your sacrifice.we know that we will see you again We love you and we love your family.

I am so happy and honored to have met Esau, a true American hero. I saw him as a younger brother when I met him back in 1997. He was so good, humble and friendly.I had the privilege and honor to help him get introduced to the LDS church, and to see him becoming a member of the church was one of happiest times in my life. I remember playing soccer with him and have some good memories of us talking and sharing good times both at his home and at church. He was very kind, cordial and had a wonderful brotherly love aura around him. I surely felt that whenever I spoke to him. He was and is a great man and I do not doubt he was a great leader among his peers. My condolensces are to his family, whom I have in my heart. I know he is in God's arms and will be remembered forever. At least I will...

It was a pleasure knowing him. He was a great person. His family is truly an inspiration. Knowing all of them very closely, sharing common friends, attending the same high school and being part of the LDS church was a total honor for me. God Bless You..

My deepest sympathy goes out to Esua family and friends,GOD promise that he will wipe out every tear from our eyes,and death will be no more,neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore.The former things have passed away.A time we all cannot wait to see :)

First of all I still cant believe that Ivan is gone.. He was a great person to be around. He loved life,fast cars and soccer. Nothing and noone could hold him down.. I've know Ivan 2yrs he brought alot of joy to my life. Alot of good times and also bad times. I will miss you so much.. I love you and I'm so proud of you!!!!

I wish to send my condolences to your family on behalf of myself and my nephew, Specialist Roman D Garcia, who is still serving in in Afghanistan and served under Sgt Pena-Hernandez at the time of his death., he was a mentor to Roman, and referred to him as his Infantry father. He was inconsolable when he called me. He wants to meet with his family in July. I honor him and what he meant to his men that served under his command.

Sgt Del La Pena You will be missed so much by my son Specialist Roman Garcia.On your missions you took good care of your men.You are greatly loved and missed.

Specialist Roman Garcia & Family

I fought with him in iraq when we were Marines
This comes a shock to me i will truly miss him all he did was make me laugh he was someone you could truly rely on
v-1/3 MARINE CORPS

I don't know him, but i graduated from La Puente high. My condolences goes out to his loved ones. i am damn proud of all the soldiers that have passed fighting and the ones who still are fighting for this country..America is lucky to have an individual like you brother ivan!! God bless!! Rest In Peace..

yo no te pude conocer pero por lo ke me kuentan se ke ereaz un super chavo yo a toda la gente ke forma parte de mi familia la kiero aunke no la conozca se ke donde estes tu estas feliz por todo lo ke hiciste durante tu vida recuerda ke aqui en la tierra nunca te vamos a olvida y espero que tu no nos olvides por favor siempre cuidanos.
esau morira cuando ya nadie lo recuerde asi que si queremos que siga vivo hay que reordarlo dia con dia y hay que pensar que solo esta de viaje y que algun dia lo volveremos a encontrar para reirnos de todo =) siempre sonrie y nunca llores es muy feo
cuando naces lloras, y el mundo rie, vive de tal manera que cuando mueras rias y el mundo llore. =) =(

I can't believe your gone De la pena! I will always remember the trip we took to san jose, you were a true friend and i can only hope to meet with you again, may you rest in peace brother.