Fort Lawn council honors soldier killed in wreck

FORT LAWN - Fort Lawn Town Council unanimously agreed Feb. 4 to honor one of its own, the late Army Spc. Charles Messer, for his service to his hometown and nation.

Council adopted a resolution presented by Police Chief Richard Smith that will honor Messer and express sorrow and sympathy to his family and friends.

Messer, 20, was serving in Iraq when he injured his arm when an improvised explosive device hit the Humvee in which he was riding. He was in rehabilitation in Texas for the injury.

Messer died Dec. 22, 2007, after he lost control of his car in El Paso. The car overturned, and Messer, who wasn't wearing a seat belt, was thrown from the vehicle.

He would have boarded a plane that same day to come home for the holidays.

"Spc. Messer's contagious enthusiasm infected those who served around him, and his motivation to serve his country loyally in every mission will remain a source of encouragement to those who knew him and served with him," the resolution says.

Messer received the Army's commendation medal for his service while in rehabilitation and has been nominated for a Purple Heart as well.

Messer's promotion to specialist was a surprise to his family. Messer kept things to himself, his family said. He was going to surprise them with the news at Christmas, they believe.

But his family also learned before his funeral that a posthumous promotion to corporal is also in the works.

Funeral services for Messer were held Dec. 30 at Chester Memorial Garden. He was buried with full military honors.