Eulogy for Private Charles Yi Barnett
LTC Scott Kendrick, Commander 2/12th Cavalry
November 24, 2007
Fellow Soldiers and friends of 2-12th Cavalry Thank you for coming to this morning’s ceremony to not only remember but fondly recall one of our Thunder Soldiers, Private Charles Barnet.
The 20th of November was a significant day for the battalion. The morning saw the arrival of Iraq’s Deputy Prime Minister, followed by an all day visit to Nasiriya. Shortly after the Minister’s departure back to Baghdad, we learned of the loss of Private Barnett. This was truly a shock to those who knew him. We can’t know why this happened. As an engineer, he had found his role and niche as a tractor trailer operator. And he had many friends with great and kind regard for him.
Raised in Sykesville, Maryland, PVT Barnett is third generation US Army. Both his father and grandfather had previously been noncommissioned officers. Additionally, PV1 Barnet has a brother, Jason serving in the Air Force stationed in Wyoming. So, this wasn’t the first time a Barnett in uniform had volunteered to come around the world to assist good people needing a hand-up in their pursuit of a stable and better life.
Charles enjoyed the same many things other young men his age enjoy: contemporary hard rock music, video games- his favorite involved tracking down Aliens and providing for their demise. He was an adept artist who liked to draw comic book-type characters and superheroes - as well as portraits of friends. Furthermore, he was a very gentle and loving son to his. And like most of us, he had a relationship with a gal back home - a young woman named Megan, who I’m convinced meant a great deal to him.
Many people have vivid and different memories of Private Barnet. His Army buddies describe him as funny and smart. No matter what the situation, Charles could deliver a quip that always lightened the burdens of the day. I got to know him early on in the deployment and our paths crossed often. Recently, he and I conducted an operation together interdicting weapons smugglers. During that time, I asked him how he liked driving his rig. He had a mischievous smirk as he sat up in the cab – like he was waiting for someone to ask him that question – and I had fallen for his trap. His sharp and positive reply was that when he was driving - he felt like he was on top of the world and he clearly was.
Where his loss hits home to me as the unit Commander - is that is risk can be anywhere. First, the risk of threat action that may lay in wait outside the wire and along the roads. Second, the inherent risk regarding safely and responsibly operating our equipment within the environment. And third - the risk to the human spirit. We have to always be engaged and on guard - we have to be ever vigilant in order to mitigate the dangers of the three.
We are here today to remember and rejoice the life of Private Barnet, not dwell on his passing. He volunteered to serve in a time of great uncertainty. He was a professional and dutiful Soldier. He will truly be missed. Let’s recognize our conviction that life is so important and in life - we are all needed, by our family and friends, and our Army family. I encourage you to continue to get to know each other personally. If you don’t think you need them now, you will sometime. And if you see someone in need, reach out to them.
I ask you to please keep Private Barnett’s parents and family in your thoughts and prayers. I pray that Charles Barnett has found place and peace in heaven.
Webmaster Note: The 12th Cavalry Regiment Association was represented at the funeral services of Private Barnett by the Honorary Colonel of the Regiment, Colonel Jin Dingeman and his wife Sylvia while Secretary Ken Howser represented the Association at the internment services.
Additional links on Private Charles Yi Barnett
Department of Defense news release - November 22, 2008
Washington Post article - November 23, 2008
Baltimore Sun article - November 23, 2008
Baltimore Examiner article - November 24, 2008
Baltimore Examiner article - November 26, 2008
Maryland Office of the Secretary of State executive order- November 26, 2008
New Jersey Governor's Office executive order- December 6, 2008