Vets Honored

Chase Stanley's 22 Mile Walk for Veteran & First Responder Suicide Awareness, posted on his Facebook Page:

As the month ends and I have had the time to decompress after the amazing 22 mile journey and the laying to rest of my grandmother, I just want to say Thank you to all have supported me along the way. Between the last 2 walks we have raised about $22,000 for veteran and first responder services! Last year's goal of $500 was blown out of the water with a total about $8,500....This year's goal of $10K....you...you made it happen and exceeded my expectations raising almost $14,000!!!!

This picture is extremely important to me because it embodies why I did what I did. When I walked last year I inspired the man to the right. Nick is a proud NAVY vet and got inspired by my efforts to combat veteran suicide. He joined me for the entire 22 mile walk this year and pushed me through the pain. The amazing woman in the photo is the mother of a veteran who left this world too early because of the battle she couldn't shake. Having her join me on this walk was absolutely incredible and being able to show her that we are out there trying to prevent other mothers from knowing her pain was worth every blister received. 

Saying Thanks to all that supported me is not enough to repay you for all of your support.  And for that reason this cause will continue to grow and our efforts will help so many in need. 

A huge THANK YOU to the @garysinisefoundation

For all that you do.  I am happy we could give our efforts to an organization that really makes a difference.  

An event bigger THAAAAANK YOUUU  to the Brattleboro Elks Lodge 1499. Your donations, time, effort, support, and enthusiasm for this cause is unmatched. 

I'm just the face of this, YOU reading this are the heart and soul of this operation. THANK YOU.

BCTV Video of Chase's 2022 Walk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9bLLnzXVkQ&t=519s 

Chase's next step in bringing awareness to 1st Responder and Veteran suicide http://ChasingZero22.com 

Charlotte Marcy's Memorial Stone stands guard at Brattleboro Vermont's World War I Park.

Charlotte planted and maintained the park when it went through a revival in 2009-2013.

After she passed away - her stone was placed in the park to commemorate her in 2018.

Vermont Veterans Cemetary:  Plot #E-487B

It is very interesting ... that after Charlotte's ashes were burried at the Vermont Veterans Cemetary ...

A horse Statue was placed within viewing distance.

https://www.ourherald.com/articles/a-monumental-project-comes-to-life 

Dedication Ceremony for  “Honor”  - Bronze Morgan Horse Installation  

CELEBRATING THE SCULPTOR’S ART!    -  KAREN PETERSEN, SCULPTOR

 Invocation by Veterans Affairs Chaplain  -  The Reverend Mary Lewis Webb

Vermont Veterans Memorial Cemetery -  Randolph, Vermont  

October 19, 2018 – 1:00pm

Articles:

Charlotte Marcy a Legacy of Service - https://vermontbiz.com/news/2017/november/10/charlotte-ann-marcy-legacy-service

Charlotte Vet & Horse Therapy - https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Iraq-vet-s-mom-shares-her-daughter-s-story-with-you-.html?soid=1112251010573&aid=bZxX6pStFK4

Charlotte Marcy Obit - https://www.atamaniuk.com/obituaries/Charlotte-Ann-Marcy-Mansur?obId=2112076#/obituaryInfo

Guilford- Charlotte was born in Brattleboro, VT. She attended St Michael School, The Grammar School in Putney, Guilford Elementary School, Brattleboro Union High School, Community College of Vermont and Keene State College. She was pursuing a degree in law enforcement. Growing up, Charlotte spent her time outdoors playing baseball, swimming and building tree houses and forts in the woods. She was a hockey sister for 10 years and could hold her own ice skating on her home pond. Workshop projects with her father, watching/helping her mother in the garden, playing with her brother, participating in gymnastics, bike riding and camping with family filled many hours. 

Charlotte had an innate love of animals. Horses were a central part of her life since she was a child. She learned how to groom horses and do many barn chores in exchange for riding lessons and the opportunity to compete in horse shows. Show ribbons lined her bedroom walls. At the age of fifteen, with the money earned caring for horses and various pets, she was able to purchase her first horse, Jupiter. Charlotte's athleticism, courage and love of horses seemed a natural fit to equestrian vaulting and cattle penning in which she later participated. 

In 2002, Charlotte joined the Vermont Army National Guard. She earned a physical fitness award in basic training and then continued with advanced military police training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. Charlotte sold her horse in preparation for deployment with the Arizona based U.S. Army 860th Military Police Company with whom she served in Iraq from 2005 - 2006. She suffered head and spinal injuries during this time when the vehicle she was driving came in contact with an explosive device. Horseless when she returned home, she rescued a white Percheron/Quarterhorse cross. Asked to deploy to Iraq again in November 2006, she served with the 759th Military Police Battalion from 2006 - 2008. She remained in action where she was meritoriously promoted to the level of sergeant. Charlotte was proud of her service to the country and of the soldiers with whom she served. She mourned those that were lost in and after battle. Her horse, Mike, was waiting for her when she returned. 

In 2009, Charlotte purchased an acre of land in Guilford, VT. She designed and built a small house with the help of her parents and family friends. Her horse was able to be boarded nearby. Around that time, she drove to Missouri to purchase a Weimaraner puppy who she named Houligan. This dog became Charlotte's faithful canine service companion. Charlotte volunteered for many years at the Brattleboro Area Drop In Center's emergency overflow shelter where she met an outreach coordinator, Paul Mansur. They were later married on October 10, 2013. In December 2013, Charlotte retired from the military. As a result of her war related injuries and experiences, Charlotte lived with chronic back pain coupled with the diagnoses of traumatic brain injury and PTSD (Post-traumatic Stress Disorder).

 At a horse event on Labor Day 2014, Charlotte's health was further impacted by a life threatening heat stroke resulting in an anoxic brain injury leaving her with compromised speech and mobility. Charlotte was in various recovery settings for 21 months over the last 2 years. During that time, countless compassionate health care providers crossed her path, providing outstanding medical care. The staff at Dartmouth Hitchcock (Lebanon and Keene, NH), the James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center (Tampa, FL), Veterans Administration Medical Centers (White River Junction, VT; Boston, MA; Central Western MA) and Bayada Home Health Care (Brattleboro, VT) gave their best efforts to aid Charlotte in her rehabilitation. "Thank you" was Charlotte's most commonly used phrase as she worked to regain her voice and strength. Charlotte remained involved with training and riding horses at Southern Vermont Therapeutic Riding Center (Wilmington, VT), the Chester Vietnam Veterans Warhorse PTSD Program (Chester, VT) and Full Circle Farm (Newport, NH). She found comfort in the familiarity of a horse's presence. Given Charlotte's years of equine experience, the therapeutic benefits from riding were an excellent match for her ongoing rehabilitative process. This form of physical and emotional therapy provided her with a well-deserved feeling of freedom. Charlotte's work ethic and independent spirit were an inspiration to many. Her determination was unparalleled. She muscled her wheelchair over rough terrain, raced a mile in a charity race for MARSOC (Marine Corps Special Operations Command) and participated in the Mark Dooley 5k in Wilmington, VT as recently as September 24, 2016. She soldiered on in her quest for independence in her life. In her own words, "unable to come to terms with being handicapped," Charlotte chose to take her own life on Friday, September 30, 2016 leaving behind her a legacy of courage and perseverance. 

Charlotte is survived by her parents, Therese and Michael Marcy of Guilford, VT; her brother Major Paul Marcy USMC and his partner, Kate; special friend, Gabrielle; and many loving uncles, aunts, cousins and friends. A celebration of Charlotte's life and spirit will be held at the First Baptist Church (190 Main St., Brattleboro, VT) on Veterans Day, Friday, November 11, 2016 at 2pm. The service will be followed by a reception at the American Legion (32 Linden St, Brattleboro, VT). All are welcome to attend. Charlotte 's final resting place will be at the Vermont Veterans Cemetery (Randolph, VT) Her private burial service will be at a later date. As an ongoing tribute to Charlotte, The Charlotte Ann Marcy Memorial Fund has been established. This resource will support others in therapeutic riding and sports programs in honor of Charlotte's thoughtful nature, kinship with horses and openness to the process of healing. Donations can be sent to: The Charlotte Ann Marcy Memorial Fund, c/o Brattleboro Savings and Loan, PO Box 1010, Brattleboro, VT 05302.