| Missile Guided Musician |
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by U.S. Navy Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Lenny Weston |
| April 4, 2018 |
Music can mean different things to different people, but to
Aviation Ordnanceman Airman Charles Hendrickson, aboard the
amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5), music is a chance to
inspire people and a motivator for accomplishing goals and dreams in
life.
Hendrickson grew up in a family whose passion for
music became an integral part of life. Raised in Peoria, Ariz., He
attended Sunrise Mountain High School, where he performed with his
school’s band playing the clarinet, before moving onto Northern
Arizona State University where he majored in music performance.
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April 16, 2017 - Seaman Charles Hendrickson plays
guitar during a special Easter sunrise service on the flight
deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5). The
ship and its ready group, are deployed in the U.S. 5th Fleet
area of operations in support of maritime security
operations designed to reassure allies and partners, and
preserve the freedom of navigation and the free flow of
commerce in the region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass
Communication Specialist 3rd Class Raymond Minami)
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“Playing music gives me a joy and a sense of peace,” said
Hendrickson. “I love the atmosphere it can create,”
Hendrickson has learned to play a variety of musical instruments
from guitar, bass guitar, drums, saxophone along with the bass
clarinet and piano.
His father told him he has a gift of
picking up any instrument and getting the hang of it in a couple of
hours.
“My father influenced me to become a musician along
with many of my friends and family that shared the same passion of
making music for others to enjoy,” said Hendrickson.
Hendrickson hopes to use his talents of fulfilling his dream of
making a Christian Rock Christmas album come true. He believes
making music is about uplifting people and inspiring others to do
more.
“It’s about touching that person in a moment,” said
Hendrickson. “It makes me happy to make music.”
Hendrickson
says his musical preference was influenced by the bands he played
for in the different churches he attended, as well as working behind
the stage on the soundboards and lighting.
“There is more to
being a musician then just reading notes on a page,” said
Hendrickson. “It’s the ability to feel the music and know when
something is missing that is going to make that song into something
more.”
So far, Hendrickson already recorded a song and has it
uploaded on his YouTube channel. He wants to write and compose music
that expresses what Christmas really means to him; family, friends
and about giving back to others.
In 2015, Hendrickson
decided to enlist in the Navy to serve his country, but he found out
the Navy can also help him accomplish more then just that. During
his last deployment Hendrickson participated in several talent
shows, music nights and karaoke nights along with being a worship
leader for Christian services on Sundays where he would play his
guitar and sing. He is even working on getting an audition for the
Navy Band, with hopes of reaching his dream of becoming a renowned
musician.
“If you have a passion or a dream you don’t need to
rationalize it,” said Hendrickson. “Just get out there and do it,
don’t waste the gift that was given to you.”
by U.S. Navy Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Lenny Weston
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2018
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