[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.

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