Floor SpeechCeremonial2026-05-21

REMEMBERING FIRST SERGEANT CHARLIE BRYANT, JR.

TaxesDefenseCrime & JusticeVeterans

Context

On 2026-05-21, Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) delivered a floor speech titled "REMEMBERING FIRST SERGEANT CHARLIE BRYANT, JR." in the Senate.

Full Text

REMEMBERING FIRST SERGEANT CHARLIE BRYANT, JR.

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 87 (Thursday, May 21, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 87 (Thursday, May 21, 2026)] [Senate] [Pages S2440-S2441] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] REMEMBERING FIRST SERGEANT CHARLIE BRYANT, JR. Mr. KAINE. Mr. President, I rise today to honor the life, legacy, and distinguished military service of 1SG Charlie Bryant, Jr., a 34-year veteran of the U.S. Army and the New York Army National Guard, who passed away on March 18, 2026, at the age of 85. Charlie was born on December 31, 1940, in Lumpkin, GA, to the late Sarah Rodgers and Charlie Bryant, Sr. At the age of two, he moved with his mother to the Bronx, NY, where he was raised. At Samuel Gompers High School, Charlie was an avid member of the school's swim team, and that love of the water would lead him to serve as a lifeguard at the YMCA. In 1959, at Edgecombe Park in the Sugar Hill neighborhood of Harlem, a chance meeting brought him face to face with Barbara Porter, the love of his life and his partner of the next 63 years. Answering his Nation's call, Charlie enlisted in the U.S. Army and rose to the rank of specialist. He reenlisted in 1964 and joined the 82nd Airborne Signal Battalion, serving during the Cuban Missile Crisis and seeing combat in the Dominican Republic, for which he earned the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. Charlie was honorably discharged from Active Duty in 1965. In 1968, he returned to the uniform as a member of the New York State National Guard's 719th Transportation Unit, assigned to the historic 369th--the legendary ``Harlem Hellfighters''--where he served with distinction as platoon sergeant. In 1991, at the age of 50, Charlie was activated for Operation Desert Storm and served nearly a year in combat operations during the Gulf War. After 34 years of honorable service to our country, he retired in 1992 as first sergeant of the 1569th. Between tours of duty, Charlie served the people of New York City as a dedicated bus operator for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority from 1967 until 1992--a quiet, daily service to his community that ran in parallel to his service in uniform. He and Barbara were united in marriage on March 10, 1963, and raised three children together: Charlene Lynette, Charles Winford, and Christopher Eric. In 1998, Charlie and Barbara relocated to Suffolk, VA, where they would make their home for the remainder of his life. A lifelong devotee of Mopar muscle cars--beginning with the 1968 440 Dodge Charger R/T that sparked a decades-long passion--and a loyal companion to his dogs BA, Harley, Max, Smokey, and Bandit, Charlie brought warmth, humor, and a steady presence to every room he entered. Affectionately known as ``Uncle Charlie,'' he was a guiding presence and father figure to countless young people he considered his adopted [[Page S2441]] children, including his beloved godchildren Letta Porter, Tratia Wilson, and Jasmine Purkett. Charlie is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years, Barbara; his children Charlene, Charles, and Christopher; his aunt Dorothy Wilson; his devoted godchildren; and a host of relatives, neighbors, fellow servicemembers, and friends whose lives he shaped. First Sergeant Charlie Bryant, Jr., leaves behind a legacy of service, strength, love, and dedication to his country, to his family, and to every young person fortunate enough to have been welcomed into his orbit. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring his memory and in extending our deepest condolences to his wife Barbara, to his children, and to all who loved him. May he rest in peace. ____________________

View original source →

REMEMBERING FIRST SERGEANT CHARLIE BRYANT, JR. Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 87 (Thursday, May 21, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 87 (Thursday, May 21, 2026)] [Senate] [Pages S2440-S2441] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] REMEMBERING FIRST SERGEANT CHARLIE BRYANT, JR. Mr. KAINE. Mr. President, I rise today to honor the life, legacy, and distinguished military service of 1SG Charlie Bryant, Jr., a 34-year veteran of the U.S. Army and the New York Army National Guard, who passed away on March 18, 2026, at the age of 85. Charlie was born on December 31, 1940, in Lumpkin, GA, to the late Sarah Rodgers and Charlie Bryant, Sr. At the age of two, he moved with his mother to the Bronx, NY, where he was raised. At Samuel Gompers High School, Charlie was an avid member of the school's swim team, and that love of the water would lead him to serve as a lifeguard at the YMCA. In 1959, at Edgecombe Park in the Sugar Hill neighborhood of Harlem, a chance meeting brought him face to face with Barbara Porter, the love of his life and his partner of the next 63 years. Answering his Nation's call, Charlie enlisted in the U.S. Army and rose to the rank of specialist. He reenlisted in 1964 and joined the 82nd Airborne Signal Battalion, serving during the Cuban Missile Crisis and seeing combat in the Dominican Republic, for which he earned the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. Charlie was honorably discharged from Active Duty in 1965. In 1968, he returned to the uniform as a member of the New York State National Guard's 719th Transportation Unit, assigned to the historic 369th--the legendary ``Harlem Hellfighters''--where he served with distinction as platoon sergeant. In 1991, at the age of 50, Charlie was activated for Operation Desert Storm and served nearly a year in combat operations during the Gulf War. After 34 years of honorable service to our country, he retired in 1992 as first sergeant of the 1569th. Between tours of duty, Charlie served the people of New York City as a dedicated bus operator for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority from 1967 until 1992--a quiet, daily service to his community that ran in parallel to his service in uniform. He and Barbara were united in marriage on March 10, 1963, and raised three children together: Charlene Lynette, Charles Winford, and Christopher Eric. In 1998, Charlie and Barbara relocated to Suffolk, VA, where they would make their home for the remainder of his life. A lifelong devotee of Mopar muscle cars--beginning with the 1968 440 Dodge Charger R/T that sparked a decades-long passion--and a loyal companion to his dogs BA, Harley, Max, Smokey, and Bandit, Charlie brought warmth, humor, and a steady presence to every room he entered. Affectionately known as ``Uncle Charlie,'' he was a guiding presence and father figure to countless young people he considered his adopted [[Page S2441]] children, including his beloved godchildren Letta Porter, Tratia Wilson, and Jasmine Purkett. Charlie is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years, Barbara; his children Charlene, Charles, and Christopher; his aunt Dorothy Wilson; his devoted godchildren; and a host of relatives, neighbors, fellow servicemembers, and friends whose lives he shaped. First Sergeant Charlie Bryant, Jr., leaves behind a legacy of service, strength, love, and dedication to his country, to his family, and to every young person fortunate enough to have been welcomed into his orbit. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring his memory and in extending our deepest condolences to his wife Barbara, to his children, and to all who loved him. May he rest in peace. ____________________