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As surviving friends, family and comrades of Staff Sgt. Charles I. Cartwright shuffled into the Union Bridge Firemen's building on Monday, past the members of the Patriot Guard Riders who lined the sidewalk holding American flags, a woman stood at the door, handing out programs and informing guests who had arrived on time that it was "standing-room only."

The fire hall, where Cartwright's father is assistant chief, was already packed for the 26-year-old's funeral.

A 2001 Walkersville High School graduate, Cartwright died supporting combat operations in Afghanistan on Nov. 7. The Department of Defense would not release further details about his death.

Those gathered listened to remembrances of Cartwright's life from the Rev. Richard L. Michael of St. James Lutheran Church in Union Bridge and Sgt. Gerald Hooee Jr., who was Cartwright's team leader in Iraq during one of his deployments.

Michael shared the story of a young Cartwright with a fresh learner's permit, who caused his mother to grab hold of the "panic bar" on his Jeep — which had no top or doors — when she took him out for driving practice.

"One of the things Charlie liked in life was tradition," said Michael, who added that Cartwright's father was an Army Ranger and his grandfather served at Pearl Harbor.

When Cartwright decided to join the Marines, he enlisted with a philosophy that "anything that was worth doing was worth doing right," he said.

He was "a fighter," Hooee said. "A warrior like his pops."

But Hooee also remembered an instance when, even "in the heat of battle," Cartwright made him laugh. "Chuck touched everybody's heart," he said. "I'm very happy that I was part of his life."

Another tradition Cartwright enjoyed was Christmas trees, "the bigger the better," Michael said.

He said the Cartwright family would always leave their Christmas tree up until Charlie came home if he wasn't around for the holidays. One year, when the family purchased a tree that apparently wasn't up to snuff, Charlie came home, took one look and asked "What's up with the Charlie Brown tree?" Michael said.

During the ceremony, folded flags were presented to Cartwright's widow and his mother. He was given a three-volley salute, and "Taps" was played. Cartwright was also posthumously awarded a second Purple Heart. His first one was awarded because of wounds he sustained earlier this year, according to Maj. Michael Armistead.

Cartwright enlisted in the Marines in September 2001, only months after his graduation from Walkersville High School, and was promoted to the rank of sergeant in 2006.

He participated in varsity wrestling and football in high school, according to Walkersville High School Principal Michael Concepcion.

"He was a very, very determined and serious competitor," said Beth Slagle, mother of one of Cartwright's close childhood friends who knew him since he was in middle school.

But despite a fierce competitive streak, also displayed when he participated in the Orange County marathon while living in California, Cartwright was personable and friendly, she added.

"He just really enjoyed people and he enjoyed having conversations with people, it didn't matter who you were," she said. "He just had one of those real friendly, open personalities. He was really quite a guy. He loved his country, he loved his family, he loved his friends."

Her words were echoed in the wide smiles Cartwright displayed in almost every picture of him that appeared in the funeral program. In one, he stands in a tuxedo next to his bride in her wedding gown; in another, his grandmother rests her head on his shoulder.

In a Facebook group dedicated to the Marine, many members have posted older pictures of Cartwright smiling on the sidelines of a Walkersville High School football game and goofing around at school dances.

Cartwright's military awards also include a National Defense Service Medal, an Afghanistan Campaign Medal, two Iraqi Campaign Medals, a Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, a Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, a NATO Medal and two Certificates of Commendation.

Cartwright is survived by his wife of 11 months, Marissa Cartwright; his parents, Michael and Carol Ann Cartwright; his sister, Rebecca Cartwright; and his maternal grandmother.

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Ralph G. Eyler Sr., and his paternal grandparents, Howard and Marian Cartwright.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to the Wounded Warriors Project, 7020 A.C. Skinner Parkway, Suite 100, Jacksonville, FL 32256 or the Surf Rider Foundation, San Diego Chapter, P.O. Box 1511, Solana Beach, CA 92075.

E-mail Courtney Pomeroy at cpomeroy@gazette.net.