UNION BRIDGE, Md. - Friends and family said a sad goodbye to a Maryland Marine who was killed in Afghanistan. His funeral was held at the Union Bridge Fire Hall where Sergeant Charles Cartwright's father serves as assistant chief.

It seemed as though all of Union Bridge turned out to honor Marine Sergeant Charles Isaac Cartwright. Most people knew him as Charlie. All of them say they'll remember him as a hero.

"This young man gave his life for us," said Union Bridge resident Pat Hogan. "And once you get to that point what else can you say?"

"Too soon people forget. I wanna make sure I never forget," added Pat Hogan.

Cartwright grew up in this small town along the Frederick/Carroll County border. He went to Walkersville High School. He joined the Marines the day before the 9/11 attacks. He earned at least 22 awards, including two Purple Hearts and a Presidential Unit Citation for Heroism Under Fire.

He was killed in combat in Afghanistan last week.

"It seemed like losing another brother," said World War II Marine Joe Noll.

Noll says Cartwright's death hits hard.

"The young man here he gave his all. And you can't expect any more from a person," said Noll. 

He continued, "And to hear taps now it brings tears to your eyes, believe me."

Tears did flow freely as taps was played and Cartwright's wife Marissa was handed the flag from her husband's casket less than a year after their marriage. Direct family members chose not speak publicly Monday.

Robert Myers, a volunteer motorcycle escort, said, "He is our son, he is our brother, he is our fellow countryman, and he is a hero."

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