R.I.P. Sgt. Charles I. Cartwright

Name: Marine Sgt. Charles I. Cartwright

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Age: 26

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From: Union Bridge, Md.

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Assigned to 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

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Incident: Marine Sgt. Charles I. Cartwright died Nov. 7 while supporting combat operations in Farah province, Afghanistan.

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Died: November 07, 2009

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(Taken from www.wjz.com) It's an especially difficult Veterans Day for one Frederick County community that has just learned a local soldier has died in Afghanistan.

Cartwright is a decorated Marine from rural Frederick County where he attended Walkersville High School and was very popular.

"He was very charismatic and enthusiastic about life. He walked into a room, the room stopped, Charlie's here," said Beth Slagle, friend.

The high school's flag flew at half-mast Wednesday, and the students and faculty stopped for a moment of silence for Cartwright.

The former wrestler stayed in touch, visiting faculty between his five tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan.

People say he talked of being a Marine since middle school.

"Charlie lived the mission. He had a dream to be a Marine. He took his job and his oath to his country to heart, and he lived it," said Susan Pardo, former teacher.

Cartwright's military record is exemplary. He had two Purple Hearts after being injured twice and he had a medal for heroism for saving the life of another.

Trained as a sniper, Cartwright worked in Special Operations. He died Saturday in combat in Farah Province, Afghanistan.

His former wrestling coach says he worked hard as a team member and carried that drive into his adult life.

"When he was with us at Walkersville wrestling team, he was a very dedicated team player, very intense wrestler. He worked very hard," said Bryan Biehl, wrestling coach.

Sgt. Cartwright's parents will be holding a memorial service Monday in Union Bridge.