Students at Lyndon State College should feel safe with public safety officer Charlie Forrest around; he’s been to one of the most dangerous places in the world.
In 2005 and 2006, Forrest served in the United States Army in Iraq, in an area then claimed to be the most dangerous part of the war, and the most dangerous part of the world.
“There was a lot of fighting where we were,” Forrest said. “We were attacked almost every night; sometimes, the other guys got as close as 100 meters.”
Forrest joined the army 1991, and served until 1992 in Korea, patrolling the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) border. When he came back the US, he finished active duty at Fort Knox in Kentucky for three years. Originally from Lyndonville, Forrest returned home and continued to work for the National Guard one weekend a month and two weeks a year. When he’s not participating in military activities, Forrest enjoys hunting and fishing, and most other outdoor activities.
In 2009, Forrest was deployed again, this time to Afghanistan. There he served until Dec. 10, 2010, when he returned home. While serving in Afghanistan, Forrest’s unit participated in well over 200 fire missions, for which they received a Bronze Star award. For one particular battle, Forrest received the Army Commendation Medal with Valor, an award that recognizes heroic efforts.
“We were the guys kicking down the doors,” Forrest explained of his unit.
In Afghanistan, Forrest was a part of the Lyndonville unit, a group of about 30 people. Their job there was to guard a Bagram air force base.
Forrest will finish his service to the army next year, sometime in 2012, totaling 21 years of service.
“It’s a great stepping stone, a really honorable job to have,” Forrest says about being a part of the military. “It makes you appreciate what you have as an American. The military has made me a stronger person.”