Charles has been flying since 2005 and decided that it was time to use his hobby to help those in need. After returning from his first deployment to Iraq in 2005, Charles started flight training at Gray Army Airfield on Fort Lewis in Washington state. He completed his private pilot training while in Alaska and attending the University of Alaska Anchorage before returning to Washington State. Charles’s current position as the Northwest Regional Coordinator for Military Funeral Honors has exposed him to the needs that our older Veterans have and has allowed him to network with other like minded individuals and agencies. Helping animals, financially strapped medical patients, military Veterans and anyone with a legitimate need is where his heart is.

Charles has served in the military for over 20 years split between the Active Army and the National Guard. His duties have ranged from Tank Crewman to Gun Truck Commander, Machine Gunner, Personal Security Detail Team Lead, Tank Commander and Program Non-Commissioned Officer In Charge (NCOIC) of the Washington Army National Guard Military Funeral Honors Program. He has been assigned to the 1st Armored Division in Germany (1995-1997), the 81st Heavy Brigade in Washington (2000-2019) and has worked with the 1st Cavalry Division in Baghdad Iraq (2004-2005), and 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force in Ramadi Iraq (2008-2009).

For more information about Charles, visit his LinkedIn profile.