Posted by Ed Weckel on December 13, 2002:

I knew Charley as a cadet, but I got to know him better at our first duty assignment. Charley, along with Dick Franklin, Bruce Mignano, Dan Brockwell and myself were assigned to the 1st Airborne, 506th Infantry (Currahees), 101st Airborne Division - - then commanded by "Chesty Westy" - - MG Westmoreland. We were assigned to various infantry companies in the Battle Group, but Charley as an artillery officer, was assigned to the mortar battery. In the 506th, Charley was known for two things - - his friendly manner and bright smile, and driving around Ft. Campbell in his Thunderbird convertible - - a present from his dad for not having to pay for Charley's college expenses. I suspect that many of us remember his driving on Post,top down, adhering to the 15 mph speed limit, smiling and waving as he passed by, or offering us a lift to our destination. After leaving the 101st, I did not see Charley again until our 40th reunion. We recognized one another instantly, as we stumbled upon one another in the gift shop in Herbert Hall and reminisced about our experiences in the 101st and the Academy. Charley loved that T - Bird, and even though it was a maintenance nightmare, he admitted he would love to have it back. Afterwards we corresponded occasionally by e mail and addressed a problem we both shared at West Point during our cadet days - - the French Department. (Unfortunately these messages were lost when my computer e-mail files died). We were both goats in French. Charley was "found" in French; this was the reason he joined the Class of '58. However, after he was "found" he grit his teeth, studied diligently, and returned to the Academy. What is unique about this story, is that Charley was able to join the first section in French, and remain there for the duration of time he was required to study a foreign language - - much to the chagrin of a certain instructor who shall remain unnamed! Charley delighted in telling this story, and he can be justifiably proud of this accomplishment. (Those of us who struggled through two years of French at the Academy will have a greater understanding of his accomplishment than those who were more fortunate in being able to study another language.) At our 40th reunion, the Class voted on the establishment of a Perpetual Endowment Fund. Charley's check was the first one received by the Endowment - - an indication of his strong support of West Point and the ideals he cherished.

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