About The Legacy of Charles Cartwright
In Memory of SSgt Charles Isaac Cartwright KIA Nov 7, 2009. It is the mission of the Raider Realty Foundation to build a Gold Star Family a home. $14,000 for Charlie’s 14 year anniversary is our goal. I can think of no better way to honor the memory of Charlie and other Fallen Service members that to provide their families with a home free and clear to alleviate the financial burdens faced in wake of such tragedy.
About Charlie:
Fourteen years ago, today the most amazing man I have had the privilege of knowing, fell in battle. I do not own rights to this song, but “Silent Night” by Sarah McLachlan hold an eerie meaning for team three as they would prepare to go forth to do what few can. Serving your country is a selfless act, giving all that you can up to and even your life. Charlie deployed to Afghanistan in August of 2009. An old saying ‘no harm shall come’ and Charlie knew in his mind that if it was his day to die no force could prevent it, He was fearless! He was an operator, a Raider, doing the job he loved, dreamed of, and strove for to become the utmost best Reconnaissance Man. He wore that title proudly along with Scout Sniper and many others in the mantle of his career that shaped the man he grew into. I credit so much of his character to his family, whom he fiercely loved and revered. Any who knew him could tell you without any hesitation what a caring, loyal, dependable, and profound friend he was in life. He had the most vivacious smile, and contagious laugh. He was the humblest of men, ready to give you the shirt off his back if needed. He loved to surf, and eat fish tacos, and skateboard. He loved life and lived it to the fullest.
November 7th was a hard day for so many. I’ll never forget the moment those faces both familiar and some unfamiliar stepped up to my doorway to deliver the tragic news. It's something you read about in books, it’s something they try to prepare you for the “just in case the unthinkable happens”. But nothing can prepare anyone for that moment. I knew immediately. I reluctantly opened the door and was asked to sit down so that the chaplain could kneel before me to deliver those fated words, that the person I had tied my life to with plans for a beautiful future to grow together and raise a family were shattered. I remember then making that first phone call to share the news, the word “Charlie died” struggling to roll off my tongue my mind refusing to acknowledge the motions of speech trying to articulate the brutal reality of the moment.
Even now fourteen years later the grief can still take me by surprise. No matter who Charlie was to you, we were all forever changed and grieve his memory. He was loved by many. Loss like this is the most profound pain and words fall short to describe the sharpness that grips your heart or the tears that will fill your eyes, emotions strong enough to make the most hardened warriors’ weep. Most certainly strong enough to sweep through an entire community in the wake of such loss.
I’ll never know what those final moments were like, although Charlies’ teammates, his closest friends, were with him to carry him off a roof top where he succumbed to a gunshot wound while under fire. He and his teammate had become separated from the main group, ending up on the roof trying to draw enemy fire away, the safety of every team member a priority. I’ll never know the minds of those in that instance when they read his kill number 3B2 over the radio, but I imagine it the pain of loss unlike anything they had wanted to experience again, being no strangers to death. I do know that at risk to themselves they carried his injured teammate and him to safety. His casket was watched over, draped with an American Flag so we would be able to gather and celebrate his life. These men carry his memory and legacy on.
‘The Days Ahead’ was the title of the binder they give to you. Navigating you respectfully through the funeral logistics, financial implications, most of which is a blur from the shock of loss. My sense has always been that Charlie would have been so honored and humbled by the outpouring of love and support from so many. When I think of my own story and struggle learning to navigate through grief, I cannot help but see other widows with children going through their own profound losses and new unforeseen financial hurtles to overcome. Each story profound and an appreciable pain. The Mission of the Raider Realty Foundation hits so very close to home, being a part of the community of Gold Star Families I can say there is a strong need. I can think of no better way to honor Charlie than to help the families of other fallen service members have a home that gives them the space to care for their young children, ease the financial burden, and give them a safe space to work through their grief. Much in the way Charlie’s brothers gave a promise to each other to watch over their families, should the unthinkable happen, and they not make it home. These men sacrifice so much knowing their families will be well looked after. We are making this a reality for those families in need. Please join in the donations today in memory of Charlie!