Remembering Cpl. Philip Charte ~ NH Hero
Remembering Cpl. Philip Charte, killed on September 7, 2010 in a hostile incident while serving in Helmand Province with a Marine battalion based out of Camp Lejeune, N.C.
He was a rifleman, joined the Marine Corps in June 2007 and served in Iraq from August 2008 to March 2009. He was deployed to Afghanistan in June 2010, just after being promoted to corporal.
Philip Charte, (his Dad) – “My son Philip served his country with courage, honor and distinction. He was a great son, brother, nephew, uncle and friend. He will be missed sorely.”
Friends recalled him as a prankster – he once orchestrated a fake kidnapping that displeased the police – and a devoted athlete. They also painted a picture of a dedicated and strong young man — a 5’8” “pit bull” — who conquered New Hampshire’s wrestling championship in the 135-pound division as a high school junior. Charte gravitated to wrestling because it allowed him an outlet in lieu of academics, which didn’t come easily for him, said Todd Lavalle his wrestling coach at Goffstown.
The sport and the military fulfilled Charte’s competitive spirit and allowed him to develop skills that furthered his life and career, school officials said.
“He worked hard for what he had, and was a very passionate, purposeful and physical human being,” Lavallee said. “Those were his strengths.”
Goffstown High School Principal Frank McBride remembered Charte receiving a huge round of applause at the class of 2007’s graduation because Charte was leaving that evening to join the military. “He was a real gentleman, a soft, quiet kid who had a real fire to compete underneath,” McBride said. Wrestling made Charte tick and teachers respected him because he tried really hard in the classroom, the principal said.
Wrestling became Charte’s support system, and the Marines later filled that void, Lavallee recalled. “Phil brought out the best in Goffstown and Goffstown brought out the best in Phil,” he said.
Jen Dusseault, a high school friend from New Hampshire, said Charte had enlisted in the Marines before graduating, and left directly for boot camp on the day of their 2007 commencement. “He literally left his cap-and-gown and was gone,” Dusseault said.
Another friend, Josh Rouille, said he and Charte had met in the fourth grade, and had reunited when Charte moved back to New Hampshire. The two took technical classes together in high school, and had talked about opening an auto mechanic shop when their service was over, said Rouille, a member of the U.S. Coast Guard.
“He had a lot of heart for what he did,” Rouille said. “He definitely enjoyed what he was doing and where he was.”
He earned the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.
TO REMEMBER IS TO HONOR…
Remembering Cadet Todd Heuchling ~ NH Hero
Peter Todd Heuchling, better known as Todd was born in Dover, NH, and lived his entire life at his home on Adams Circle, Durham, NH, with his older brother, Rob, a Naval Reserve officer; his father, Bob, a retired Delta Air Lines captain and presently a high school coach and teacher; and his mother, Sally, a teacher, active volunteer and dedicated mom who now works with special education students at the local middle school.
Todd’s early childhood was very typical of a boy growing up in a small New Hampshire town. He enjoyed the woods, riding bikes, and playing sports with his friends. He was an average athlete as a young boy, although as he emerged from his preteen years, Todd experienced a metamorphosis. He rapidly grew taller and stronger and began to excel at every sport he attempted. By his sophomore year in high school, he was playing varsity soccer, hockey, and tennis. By the end of his senior year, his soccer team had won two state titles, and he was selected as Most Valuable Player in the state championship game by the coaches. His hockey team was always competitive but did not enjoy as much success. Nonetheless, he was awarded “Best Defenseman” his senior year.
As a gesture of respect and admiration for Todd, Oyster River High School has since retired his #18 hockey jersey. Todd also captained the tennis team and took it to the state finals, where the team lost by a single match.
As Todd began to mature physically, he also soared academically. He particularly enjoyed history, science, and writing for the school newspaper. At this time, he also began showing an interest in attending West Point. He read all the material he could find on the latest military hardware, tactics, and training. After his first visit to West Point, he realized this was to be his destiny and gaining admission became his top priority. He would probably feel it was the greatest accomplishment in his life.
In spite of the typical struggles as a plebe, he still managed to do well academically and militarily his first year. He was singled out as one of the top plebes in his class by the end of the first semester. He also helped coach the local girls’ under-14 soccer team, and he was a member of the Company D-4 Sandhurst Military Competition Skills Team.
At Camp Buckner he excelled by earning his Recondo badge. His fellow cadets at Buckner said you could always find Todd up among the leaders, but he was ever mindful to take care of his friends behind him. He always enjoyed running, but it was while at the Academy he took his running skills to a new level. He was invited to try out for the marathon team, since he was winning all the competitive company races.
It was hot and humid on the afternoon of 21 Aug 2003, the day that was to become the saddest day of our lives. It was the final day of tryouts for the marathon team, and Todd was not to be denied. Todd had an incredible ability to focus on a goal and put everything else out of his mind. At the end of the eight mile competition, Todd was running with the leaders when, less than 100 yards from the finish line, he collapsed and succumbed to heat stroke. He could not be revived.
Todd was laid to rest five days later in the Durham Town Cemetery. His body was accompanied by Commandant of Cadets BG Leo Brooks, 80 West Point cadets, and 500 family members and friends.
In his honor, a scholarship fund( Todd’s Trot) in his name has been established and will award $5,000 annually to a senior at Oyster River High School. An annual award also has been established and endowed to recognize an outstanding West Point team member.
His headstone reads:
Peter Todd Heuchling, Cadet,
USMA, Class of 2006,
Beloved son, brother, friend
and a good soldier.
His friends, bothers, parents, and fellow soldiers and classmates will forever remember him fondly.
Remembering SPC Justin Pellerin ~ NH Hero
Remembering SPC Justin Pellerin – KIA August 20, 2009 in Afghanistan. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division at Ft Drum, NY. He joined the Army in 2007 and was serving as an Infantryman.
Justin graduated from Concord High School and had an interest in the military. He joined the Army in 2007. He left for a tour of duty to Afghanistan in January 2009 and he was to return the following December. Justin married Chelsey, his high school sweetheart and “the love of his life” in July 2008. The couple planned to move to New York upon his return in December 2009. Josh Bisson, friend and best man at his wedding, described Justin as a funny man who loved American muscle cars and had decided to join the military in hopes of “doing something good” for other people. “He’d give the shirt off his back for anyone,” Bisson said. “Everyone he met he was friends with. He had no rough edges, everybody loved him.”
Justin was very outgoing and fun loving and enjoyed spending time with his family playing games, bowling, and singing karaoke. He also loved to explore the outdoors, fishing, and playing golf. He had a passion for music, electronics and cars.
Louis Chouinard, Justin’s grandfather, said the young soldier “had it in his mind that he wanted to make a difference, so that’s why he did what he did.” “He was just a great kid.”
Justin always took pride in what he did. Chelsey remembers his excitement in receiving the Combat Infantryman Badge, getting promoted to the rank of Specialist, and becoming a team leader within his unit.
Though he took his service seriously, he was still his usual lighthearted self and he managed to keep a sense of humor in Afghanistan. For Chelsey, his influence will always live on through changes he inspired in her. With him, she learned “to be myself, to be strong, to respect myself,” she said. “We always said, “I love you” and “be safe” and we never said “goodbye”. “To love and be loved is the greatest gift a heart can know. I feel so lucky to have Justin to love.”
Remembering Master Sgt Jared Van Aalst
Remembering Master Sgt Jared Van Aalst, KIA on August 4, 2006 during combat operations in Kunduz Province, Afghanistan. To remember is to honor.
Following is from his mother, Nancy:
Jared entered the world on September 1st, (Labor Day) 1975.It was a labor of love. He arrived weighing 10lbs 9ozs. He was my biggest baby! He has proven himself to be one of the biggest men I have ever known or will ever know.
Jared was a real active child. He spent his young years as one of the police officers on “Chips” that television show. He rode his tricycle like a mad man. As he grew, he became an avid skate boarder, hiker, dirt-biker, skier and everything else that was a challenge for him. He actually skied the head wall at Tuckerman’s Ravine. He spent a lot of time hiking the trails of Mount Washington. We referred to him as our Sherpa boy. I knew I was in trouble when he got this big off road dirt bike. When he was in high –school he got his Chevy S10 pickup stuck on a sand bar in the Pemi. river. He was able to round up some friends and get it out. He took it to the automotive dept at PHS and that truck still ran!! Prior to going into the army, Jared took an interest in sky diving.
During Jared’s time spent at PHS, he became friends with Eric Vanek. He began to focus on his studies, sports and more important things. Jared went on to become captain of his wrestling team and a shared captain of the football team. His grades greatly improved and he took some advanced courses and graduated with honors. Jared and Eric formed a great bond that stayed with them long after school was over. After graduation from high school, Jared wanted to go to Venezuela as an exchange student. He had taken four years of Spanish in school and wanted to experience the culture. He was there for ten months. It was a wonderful experience.
Upon Jared’s return to the U.S., he applied for and was accepted at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York. There he became involved in ROTC. After one year there, he decided he was going to become an Army Ranger. First he applied for and was accepted at West Point Academy. Due to the fact that a high school student-Doug DeCenzo had already been accepted from our Grafton County, Jared would have to wait a year. Well those of us that knew Jared knew he was not going to wait when he was on a mission. He enlisted as an Army grunt and fulfilled his dream. We had the honor to be at Hurley Hill when he graduated as a Ranger. His dad and I were able to pin his wings and Ranger tab. Our great sorrow was learning that Doug DeCenzo was killed by a car bomb in Iraq.
One last note. When Jared was killed, Eric Vanek came with the casualty assistance officer to inform us of Jared’s death. He is and always was one of the greatest blessings to Jared and our family. He was like a brother to Jared and we still think of him as family. He is a good NH boy and a proud member of the US Army. He spent several days with us and he was very comforting to us in our most extreme time of sorrow.
There is so much to say about Jared. He could sew, cook, and make lanyards for duck calls. He was an avid hunter, loved great wine, and had so many great friends. He was most generous to his family and friends.
He had met the love of his life, his widow Katie. She continues to respect his ideas and values. He left three beautiful children-Kaylie (9), Ava (3), and Hugh Jared, (1). He was a true warrior in every sense of the word. One of the best men I have ever known. He is a very highly decorated soldier and all of this information is available on line.
Thank you ever so much for honoring my son. Warm regards,
Nancy
Remembering Army Staff Sgt. Kyle R. Warren
Remembering Army Staff Sgt. Kyle R. Warren, KIA July 29, 2010 – serving during Operation Enduring Freedom. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, N.C.; died at Tsagay, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained when insurgents attacked his military vehicle with an improvised explosive device.
Twenty-eight-year-old Kyle Warren of Manchester, NH was killed when his vehicle hit an improvised explosive device while on reconnaissance patrol.
Warren, a medical sergeant died from injuries suffered in the blast. He was assigned to Company C, 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) and Fort Bragg, N.C. He was on his second deployment in Afghanistan.
Kyle was hard to miss, whether tearing down a rugby field or running toward a firefight through muddy poppy fields in Afghanistan. Though an intimidating bear of a man at nearly 6 feet 3 and 240 pounds, he was a fun-loving, warmhearted guy who made friends effortlessly with his disarming, sometimes goofball charm, friends and family said.
After graduating from Marina High School in Huntington Beach — going to college off and on, and playing lots of rugby — Kyle appeared to find his groove in life when he enlisted in the Army.
He joined the elite Special Forces as a medic, with plans to become a firefighter-paramedic or physician’s assistant when he left the service, and married his longtime New Hampshire sweetheart a year before he was killed.
“He really seemed to be on his way,” said his father, Del Warren of Long Beach. “He had just turned into a fine young man.”
Kyle and other members of his Special Forces unit had just finished meeting with town elders when they were attacked by small-arms fire, according to his father, who received a redacted Army report on the circumstances surrounding his son’s death. Warren and Holbrook were on an all-terrain-vehicle during the firefight when they were hit by the explosive, his father said.
Officials at the U.S. Army Special Forces Command said Warren and Holbrook were killed during a combat reconnaissance patrol. Warren had just arrived for his second deployment in the area, having earlier served in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
“He was always top notch, and he took his job as a medic very seriously,” said friend Jay Daniel of Jeffersonton, Va., a Special Forces veteran who trained with Warren and served with him during his first deployment. “Kyle helped save lives, and he was always the first to volunteer if we had a mission.” Daniel said that, along with aiding other soldiers, Warren and other medics in Afghanistan provided healthcare for the elderly and sick during weekly town clinics. Warren also rushed to save the lives of two boys in Afghanistan nearly killed by an improvised explosive device, which had seriously wounded their arms and legs. “There are two boys walking around southern Afghanistan today because of Kyle,” said Daniel, who named his newborn son after his friend.
Warren’s former coach, Mark Rehling, said he remembers him more for the times he dropped by the classroom than for his play on the football field. Even after Warren graduated, he would occasionally pop in to say hello.
“He was very thoughtful. He was trying to find a way to really make things better; you could tell that was really engrained in his personality,” Rehling said. “He wanted to contribute in some way. When he joined the Army, it gave him a real vision forward.”
After graduation, Warren attended Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, where he got his first real introduction to club rugby — a passion that followed him to Bedford, N.H., a few years later when he moved in with his mother (his parents had divorced years before). Friend and fellow rugby player Justin Veverka said Warren was one of the “hardest hitters I’ve ever seen.” “He was definitely one of the most feared guys in the New England Rugby Union,” he said.
Warren ended up sharing an apartment with Veverka and his brother in Manchester, attending classes at a local community college now and then, working at a hotel and playing lots of rugby. Manchester also is where Warren met his future wife, Sandy, when she was a student at Southern New Hampshire University. “Kyle was just this big goofy guy, a great person to be around,” Veverka said. “He was a big storyteller. Everything was about California. California this, California that. And I never saw a man eat so much Mexican food in my life.”
It was in 2004 when Warren, the Veverka brothers and another close friend — all somewhat adrift in life — decided to enlist together. “We all just looked at ourselves, at where we were at,” Veverka said. “The war just kicked off in Iraq, and we thought we’d all join up together.”
TO REMEMBER IS TO HONOR…
Remembering SGT Michael Roy
Remembering SGT Michael Roy – KIA on 7-8-09 – by a sniper during combat operations in Afghanistan. He was assigned to the 3rd Marine Special Operations Battalion, Marine Special Operations Advisor Group, Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command,
Camp Lejeune, NC.
Roy joined the Marine Corps on Sept. 25, 2001 and was trained as a rifleman. He was promoted to Sergeant on Oct. 10, 2005, joining MARSOC on March 15, 2008. His decorations include a Navy Achievement Medal, a Combat Action Ribbon, a Navy Unit Commendation, three Navy Meritorious Unit Commendations, two Good Conduct Medals, the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, a Humanitarian Service Medal, four Sea Service Deployment Ribbons, and a NATO Medal-ISAF Afghanistan.
With nearly eight years in, 25-year-old Sgt. Roy joined the Marines young – real young. His decorations and his rise through the ranks tell us he served his country competently and well.
His joining the Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command tells that he had no fear – or that fear didn’t matter. To become a MARSOC member, Sgt. Roy had to undertake and complete special forces training designed to “enable him to function in remote, ambiguous and complex environments with limited support,” according to the special unit’s Web site, which also outlines core duties that may be assigned. Those duties include training and assistance to foreign governments, security force assistance, special reconnaissance, counterterrorism and direct action, which the Corps defines as “short-duration strikes and other small-scale offensive actions taken to seize, destroy, capture, recover or inflict damage in denied areas.”
TO REMEMBER IS TO HONOR…
Remembering 2nd Lt Matthew S. Coutu ~ NH Hero
Remembering 2nd Lt Matthew S. Coutu – KIA on June 27, 2005, Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Matthew entered the University of Maine (Orono) where he majored in history. In his senior year, he received the George C. Marshall Award as the top ranked ROTC student at the University and ranked in the 6th percentile nationally as a ROTC cadet. Matt graduated on May 8, 2004 and was commissioned as a 2nd Lt in the US Army.
Following his commissioning and completion of the Military Police Officer Basic Course at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, Matt was assigned to the 89th Military Police Brigade at Ft. Hood, Texas. In February, 2005, the Brigade deployed to the forward operating base Rustemiyah in Iraq. On June 27, 2005, Matt was killed by sniper fire en route to Al Ademyiah Iraqi Police Station in East Baghdad.
The day following his death, Lt. Colonel Robert Taradash, Commander of the 720th MP battalion in Baghdad called Michael Coutu, Matt’s father, saying how hard his death was being felt by his fellow troops adding “Matthew was perhaps my best platoon leader — someone who earned the admiration and respect of his fellow officers and the men who served under him. His loss will be grieved no less than that of a brother, parent, spouse or dear friend. He was an exemplary role model to all in this (Army) family.”
At a memorial service held in Baghdad, Captain Meeks, Matt’s company commander, said “He loved the Army, the Guardians, and his Soldiers. He reminded us every day that he was committed to being the best and that he took care of the Wolfpack. His dogged will to succeed inspired leaders at every level. He maintained the same intensity day in and day out of this deployment, he did not waver one bit. While doing so he paid the ultimate sacrifice for our nation. For that, I am humbled and honored to have known and served with him.”
Among his awards and medals, Matt posthumously received the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. With its inaugural dedication on February 6, 2006, the 2nd Lieutenant Matthew S. Coutu Distinguished Honor Graduate Award is given to the top graduate of each Military Police Officer Basic Course class. In the memorial dedication speech, Colonel Taradash described Matt as a “young man who loved to lead Soldiers; lived by the Warrior Creed and Army Values; loved and lived his life without hesitation and epitomized heroism. From the moment that I met him, I recognized that Matt led his Soldiers from the front and put every ounce of his being into leading his Soldiers.”
Remembering SSGT Edmond Lo ~ NH Hero
Remembering SSGT Edmond Lo – KIA on June 13, 2009 – He was killed when an improvised explosive device he was acting to neutralize detonated in Samarra City, Iraq.
He was assigned to the 797th Ordnance Company, 79th Ordnance Battalion, Ft Hood, TX
Edmond grew up in Salem, NH and graduated from Salem High School in 2004. Although he was quiet, he had a wonderful sense of humor and was an extremely kind-hearted and sincere person. His many hobbies included playing on his computer, teaching himself how to play piano and guitar, origami, and puzzles.
He was a member of the Air Force JROTC program and was the operations squadron, color guard commander and a drill team commander. He was on the first drill team from Salem High to compete in the National Drill Team Championship and the team earned second place. He loved learning and was always willing to help tutor students. He was a talented musician and played several instruments. After graduation, he turned down scholarships to colleges so he could pursue his passion of serving our country.
He was well liked and people were drawn to him because of his personality, commitment and loyalty. He was a leader who was respected by many and will be greatly missed. His death let a void in the hearts of his parents, 3 sisters, 2 brothers, niece, and nephew.
TO REMEMBER IS TO HONOR…
Remembering SGT Russell M. Durgin ~ NH Hero
Remembering SGT Russell M. Durgin, HHC Co., 1st Battalion, 1-32 Infantry, Task Force Spartan, 10th Mtn Div
Born 7-2-1982 Concord
KIA 6-13-2006 Afghanistan, Operation Enduring Freedom
Jean, his mom, shared the following with many a few years ago….
“My son, Russell M Durgin, “Russ” enlisted in the US Army Reserves at the age of 17 while a junior in high school. He received training at Ft Leonard Wood, Missouri then returned to his senior year at John Stark Regional High School. On Sept 11, 2001, he was activated and served as an MP at Ft Devons, MA. After 2 months, he decided to re-enlist in full-time Army and was sent to
Ft Benning, Georgia for infantry training. He was sent to the DMZ Korea 2002 and served a year. Upon return to the US, he reported to Ft Drum, NH and within 2 weeks was enroute to Iraq. After a year of intense service, losing friends and experiencing near death experiences, he returned home. He was assigned to the Snipers and Scouts unit and trained in California, Ft Bragg and Montana. He deployed to Afghanistan in March 2006 as a sniper leader. On June 13th, while under attack, Russ diverted fire from his men. It was there that he lost his life.
He left a fiancée, parents, his twin, brothers, a sister, nieces, friends and community to grieve the loss of a wonderful young man. Although we are all proud of his six years of service to us, America, we miss him greatly. Many testimonials were spoken from his men and from his leaders. Lt Col Chris Cavoli, 1-32 Commander said of Russ “Sgt Durgin lived the Warrior Ethos, he never quit and he always put the mission first, in what is probably the most difficult part of our area, he routinely performed acts of bravery while hunting down the enemy. He fought like a tiger and died like a man.”
Sgt Major Jimmy Carabello said “there are American Soldiers still alive in the Chosin Battalion because of his bravery and heroism on the battlefield in the Korengal Valley, there should be a picture of Sgt Durgin to the NCO Creed.”
Never forget….To Remember is to Honor
Honoring and Remembering SGT Daniel Gionet – NH Hero
Remembering SGT Daniel Gionet – he died on June 4, 2006 in Baghdad, Iraq when an improvised explosive device detonated near his M1A2 tank during combat operations. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.
After the bomb shattered the tank he was riding in, Dan tended to the wounded around him, ignoring his serious injuries. When a medic unit finally arrived, he made his last decision. Dan said, “Don’t deal with me. Go help the lieutenant. He’s in greater danger than me”.
He attended Pelham High School where he was a three-season athlete. He was on the football team, baseball team, and was one of the students who helped turn the school’s wrestling club into an official school team. He received the school’s sportsmanship award. When he graduated from high school in 2001, he enlisted in the Army. By 2004, Daniel was serving as a cook for U.S. and Romanian soldiers at Kandahar Air Field in Afghanistan but he never really got around to cooking. Enemy fire occupied so much of the time that he had to be an infantryman and fight like the rest of the unit. By May 2004, Daniel’s desire to help others led him to re-enlist and to retrain as a medic. He was deployed to Iraq last December, just before Christmas. In Nov, before his deployment, he married Katrina, the love of his life. How much did he love her? Here is the message on his cell phone: “If this is Katrina, you are the love of my life. – PAUSE – If it’s not Katrina, you know who you called. Leave a message”. There are many things to know about Daniel – he could make you laugh on the worst day of your life, he loved to fish, loved healthy fruit bars (but hated MREs), loved beef jerky and tollhouse cookies. He planned to study culinary arts after completing his service in 2008 and become a professional cook. He didn’t want his family to worry about him so he told them he was safe and his patrol time had been cut from 36-hour shifts to 12-hour stretches. He also told them, “I’m safe. I’m in a tank where nothing can penetrate”. Daniel’s bride Katrina received his Purple Heart and Bronze Star.
