43, of Buffalo, New York.
Bush was in a convoy in Balad, Iraq when his vehicle was hit by an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 402nd Civil Affairs Battalion, 354th Civil Affairs Brigade, 352nd Civil Affairs Command, U.S. Army Reserve, based in Riverdale Park, Maryland. Died on December 19, 2003.
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"Charles E Bush Jr🪖
You are a hero.
May Our GOD 🙏 embrace you
Rest in Peace"
George Gonzales of Chicago Heights, Illinois
"Charles E Bush Jr. December 19, 2003 was a day I will not forget. Your are missed and not forgotten. Your smile will live in our hearts."
"Charles,
On today, the 13th anniversary of your death you are still honored and remembered. I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for our Country. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy."
Mike Casey of El Paso, Texas
"Charles bush was the love of my life for many years we were going to be married i too serve my country many years active duty and reserves highschool,college many special memories including his beautiful daughter he liked ti call mimi he is now resting in peace with his mom,sister and favorite aunt i see his dad in passing from time to time bringing back memories charles served his country well ur missed everyday love always Sgt Hill Big weezy"
louise hill of buffalo ny
"Charles bush was the love of my life for many years we were going to be married i too serve my country many years active duty and reserves highschool,college many special memories including his beautiful daughter he liked ti call mimi he is now resting in peace with his mom,sister and favorite aunt i see his dad in passing from time to time bringing back memories charles served his country well ur missed everyday love always Sgt Hill Big weezy"
louise hill of buffalo ny
"I had the privledge to serve with SPC Bush. A few times on convoys he was my machine gunner in the vehicle that I was driving. He loved what he was doing and he was proud to do it. He was always ready for the next mission and never complained one time about the long hours or the countless missions end on end. He was one that could always be counted on and we all lost a close friend that day. Thanks for all of your help buddy. I'm sorry that day didn't turn out differently. It should have...."
Kevin Countermine of Buffalo, NY
"”Honor and Remember” - “Project Compassion” We love our Soldiers! We love our country and we cannot express enough love and compassion to the families of our fallen heroes. War does not discriminate – It breaks our hearts to see the faces of the fallen. We want to give this gift to the hero’s Mother, Father and/or spouse. We are a 501c3 nonprofit organization! Over 1,800 portraits have been completed and shipped to the parents and or spouse - at no cost as this is a gift from one American to another!
This is a gift! We have some wonderful sponsors who help with the costs, and only want you know that we care.
Contact us directly at Projectcompassion@manti.com or go to www.heropaintings.com . If you have already had a portrait completed, we pray that you are enjoying the portrait and God Bless You.
Sincerely and Respectfully,
Kenna"
Project Compassion - Kenna of Manti, Utah USA
"I already left a message as his Senior Sergeant. Adding to my message; the same day (19 December 2003)I was out into a drug induced coma (we were in the same vehicle). On 4 January 2004 I woke up. I found out about his death on 6 January and cried like a baby. Many soldiers coward and would not leave the FOB in 2003, he did! 1SG Jackson, Fort Benning, CPNUS Replacement Center."
1SG Jackson of CONUS Rerplacement Center Fort Benning GA
"Charles E. Bush, Jr. - As the first medic on the scene, 109th Med Bn -Treatmen/Ambulance Platoon, I treated Charles in the field shortly after the IED went off. To Charles' family... I am sorry for not being able to save your son. Five years have pasted now and not a single day passes without reliving that day on December 19th. Please know that I did everything I was trained to do that day. Charles and I fought hard to save his life... but the Almighty had other plans that day. I'll never forget that day nor will I ever forgive my self... even though there was nothing more that could have done. I find strength when I think of Charles. He is one of the reasons why I persued a career in medicine. With every patient and every day, I remember Charles E. Bush, Jr and the events unfolded on December 19th, 2003. The Ulitmate Sacrifice for the Greatest Nation. We will never forget. Thank you Charles. Rest in Peace."
J. Cort Hagemann of Davenport, IA
"I ran across your site when searching the same name for crew of the USS Princeton in WW2. I had an uncle that served on that carrier and was lucky to survive the tour. The nature of modern warfare is so much different and all that serve in this war have my deepest respect."
Anonymous of Ohio
"As his Senior Sergeant I was there that day, he was the machine gunner (MG) for my vehicle. SPC Bush before that day was always attentive in his duties. Although a cook, he accepted his MG roll serving as security for our supply convoys to support the soldier in the field.
A natural with the M249 (Squad Automatic Machine Gun), he was the first to be up and ready to go, always waiting over his weapon while the rest of us loaded up. He was proudly steadfast in his duties behind his gun calling in any possible targets. He never accepted relief (he did however ask me to light cigarettes and pass them up to him).
He never questioned his duties, he was a member of a team, and we loved each other like brothers."
First Sergeant Jakson of Fort Benning. GA
"May 11, 2008
To the family of Pfc. Charles E. Bush, Jr.:
Charles gave the ultimate sacrifice and will be held in the hearts of Americans forever. I cannot and will not let our fallen heroes be forgotten. My deepest sympathy to you. "Some gave all."
Peggy Childers
"Don't Let The Memory Of Them Drift Away"
www.IraqWarHeroes.org"
Peggy Childers of Carson City, NV
"You are still remembered and stand as an inspiration to me. Semper Fi"
TJ Schakow LTC USAR of Syracuse, NY
"You are deeply missed my friend."
Bing of North Carolina
"TODAY I REMEMBERED YOU CHARLES! AS I WILL TORROW AND FOREVER. TIME ALL THE FALLEN FAMILIES UNITED. TO PUSH OUR LEADERS IN NEW YORK STATE, TO HONOR THE AFGHANISTAN AND IRAQI FALLEN YESTERDAY. WAR MEMORIAL TAKES YEARS AFTER A CONFLICT. WE CAN NOT ALLOW CHARLES AND OTHER FALLEN SOLDIER'S NO TO BE REMEMBERED. lwahl1@sears.com"
LEONARD WAHL of VALLEY STREAM NY
"A cook can also be a hero."
A fellow 92G
"My name is CPL Kimberly A. Jones and Spc. Bush was in my unit I saw him everyday. It is a shame of what happened. He will always be a hero in my world. He was always happy and was ready for any mission that came his way. SPC. Bush you will always be in my prayers. And when I get home I am coming to see you,Bushmaster.
Spc. Bush you will not be forgotten."
CPL Kimberly A. Jones of Fayetteville, NC
"No matter what the situation was, bud, you always had a smile on your face. We all loved you and your time on this Earth was too short. Your sense of humor got us all through some tough times. Thank You "Uncle Chuck"."
John aka Double J of Scotia, NY
"Charles, thank you for everything you have done... It certainly is not enough... but, God bless you and your family, and God bless America"
Joe of St. Louis, Missouri
"From a former sister unit Psyoper; My thoughts and prayers go to you and your family. God Bless and keep you."
Clint Deriemaeker of Coon Rapids, MN
"Private Bush, goodbye soldier and thank you. You are my hero."
Bill of Houston, Texas
"We Will NEVER FORGET !"
Please KNOW so many people share your sadness, and we are remembering your family in your loss and your deep grief. Your HERO, Charles, will be remembered by name. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. God Bless you. Pat & Sandi B from Montana "
"My name is Sgt Travis Wilson, I was stationed in Balad at the 21st CSH when PFC Bush came into the ER. I was the attending Medic and worked for twenty minutes doing CPR and talking to him hoping he would open his eyes. That was the first time I took a death personaly. That was the first time I cried. To this day I repeat his name in my head. I didn't know PFC Bush but I am confident that he was an outstanding soldier. I am sorry for his family and I send my upper most respect to you and PFC Bush."
SGT Travis Wilson of Fort Hood, Texas
"PFC Bush:
Thank your for giving yourself so that those of us at home can live freely and safely. There are not enough 'thank yous' for a gift such as this. Rest in peace soldier."
Dan and Meg Manninen of San Antonio, Texas
"Thank you Charles Bush, Jr., you will not be forgotten. Your bravery goes beyond words. I want to express my deepest gratitude for your sacrifice. To the family and friends, my prayers and deep condolences in your loss. May God strengthen you from knowing that fellow Americans and people around the world care about you and grieve with you in your loss. God bless you all. A very appreciative fellow American,"
Leo Titus of Grayslake, Illinios
"To the family and friends of Pfc. Charles Bush, Jr.:
May God's grace be with you during your time of grief. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and we feel your loss and share in your sorrow. Bless Charles for the sacrifice he has made to make a better life for the rest of us."
The Ford Family of Wells, Nevada
"To the family and friends of Pfc. Charles Bush, Jr.:
I am saddened by the loss of your loved one. He will always be remembered as a hero for fighting for freedom. I hope that this website will be a source of comfort and encouragement for you during this difficult time, and in the future as you recall the memories of Charles, who continues to live on in your heart."
Tim Rivera of Powder Springs, Georgia