[WATCH NOW] Veteran of the Month: Charles “Charlie” Terrell – April 2018

SYLACAUGA, Ala. – Each month SylacaugaNews.com and Yea!106.5 feature a veteran online and on-air, honoring them for their service to our country. The SylacaugaNews.com Veteran of the Month for April is Charles Terrell.

*note SN is abbreviated SylacaugaNews.com, CT is abbreviated for our featured veteran, Charles Terrell.

SN: What is your full name?

CT: Charles William Terrell

SN: What is your date of birth?

CT: July 7, 1942.

SN: What was your rank?

CT: Sargent

SN: What was your branch of service?

CT: Army

SN: What was your job?

CT: Bridge Sargent and Relief Machinist and Welder.

SN: What were your years of service?

CT: I joined the National Guard in Sylacauga in December 1959, and I was discharged in November 1965.

SN: Did you serve stateside or overseas?

CT: My entire deployment was from 1963 to 1965. I was stationed in Germany as part of the NATO troops. We also assisted the NATO allies that built our equipment.

SN: What’s something you remember most about your time serving?

CT: After I completed my training in Non-Commissioned Officer’s Academy, I was given charge of the next deployment. I was given a compass and a map, sat in the back of the jeep, told the driver where to go, and the rest of the company followed. Then we put the tents up, and we were supposed to build a bridge for the tankers to ferry the tanks back and forth across the pond, and the pond was frozen about six feet deep. We could not get back home because we had to have a convoy clearance for all heavy equipment, so we put up our tent and forced our heat on it. Before we got there the farmer who owned the field had scattered manure on the field. The snow and ice got on it, and we put the tent on top of it, and when the snow and ice melted, it stank pretty good. We had to haul gravel in before we could stay inside, and stood out in the pup tent in 10 below, and it wasn’t very nice.

SN: If you could say anything to those who want to serve, what would you tell them?

CT: It’s a very rewarding time in your life. You’ll never forget it. You may not wish to continue it for a long period of time, but it’s something you’ll never forget.

SN: Would you do it again if you could and why?

CT: Yes, I don’t regret it. I would change some things, and do things a little different. Hindsight is always 20/20.

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