Charles veterans remember those who served

As Memorial Day approaches, members of the local veterans’ commission are remembering those who served.

“On this Memorial Day, we honor and remember the brave men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country,” the Commission of Veterans Affairs for Charles County said in a statement to Southern Maryland News. “Their courage and dedication have secured our freedoms and protected our way of life. We pay tribute to their memory and express our deepest gratitude for their selfless service. Let us never forget their contributions and continue to support the families they left behind.”

United States Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Terry Edward Honeycutt Jr. died from injuries sustained during combat operations in Helmand Province in Afghanistan on Oct. 27, 2010.

He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, based at Camp Lejeune, N.C. Honeycutt was from Waldorf and died at age 19.

USMC Marine Sgt. Lucas T. Pyeatt died from injuries sustained during an improvised explosive attack in Afghanistan’s Helman Province on Feb. 5, 2011. He was assigned to the 2nd Radio Battalion, II Marine Expeditionary Force.

Pyeatt was born in England and raised in Newport News, Va., only a couple hours south of Charles County. He was 24 at the time of the attack that took his life.

The Commission of Veterans Affairs for Charles County also acknowledged Sgt. Rick M. Villani, Lance Cpl. James A. Casper, Cpl. John J. Winterrowd and Aviation Ordnanceman Petty Officer 2nd Class Latosha Goode, whom members of the commission have fond memories of serving alongside.

Charles County has a rich history of military service, with veterans making significant contributions to various wars from World War I to the Global War on Terrorism.

“One notable example is Sgt. Jonathan Lee, now a veteran commissioner for Charles County, who received the Purple Heart during Operation Enduring Freedom in Kajaki, Helmand Province, Afghanistan,” the commission said.