CAMP HABBANIYAH, IRAQ July 28, 2008 Spc. Gilbey, Pickett and Jay of the 814th Multi-Role Bridging Company pose by their International MaxxPro MPV MRAPs, after completing their final mission in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

CAMP HABBANIYAH, IRAQ (July 28, 2008)–Spc. Ryan Gilbey, Charles M. Pickett and Chris Jay of the 814th Engineer Company pose by their International MaxxPro MPV MRAPs, after completing their final mission in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

About Charlie

JOURNALIST • SOLDIER • TEACHER • ADVOCATE

Charles M. “Charlie” Pickett was elected Commander of the Department of Connecticut, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. on June 15, 2025 at the Department Convention in Rocky Hill, Connecticut. He is the first Iraq and Afghanistan veteran to serve as Connecticut Commander.

He continued a family legacy of military service when he joined the United States Army in 2007 at age 39, earning his VFW eligibility by serving in Iraq in 2007 (Iraqi Surge) and Afghanistan in 2010 (Consolidation III & Transition I) with the 814th Engineer Company (Multi-Role Bridge) at Fort Polk, Louisiana. In recognition of his service, Pickett received the Combat Action Badge, three Army Commendation Medals, two Army Achievement Medals, the Army Good Conduct Medal, and numerous other awards.

Like his father, Navy veteran and former Connecticut State Senator John F. Pickett Jr., and his grandfather, World War I Army veteran John F. Pickett Sr., of Middletown, SSG Pickett continued to contribute to his community, state, and nation after military service. He joined the VFW in 2008 at Post 3106 in Leesville, Louisiana and subsequently was a member of Post 189 in New London. Pickett organized the chartering of the VFW New Haven Post 12150 in 2015 and American Legion Post 210 in 2018. He has thrice led VFW New Haven to All-American status as a Gold Legacy Life member.

He served in dozens of elected and appointed positions at the Post, District, and Department Levels, including a four-year term as Adjutant/Commander of District 2, achieving All-American District status in 2023. For these accomplishments and his continued service to his fellow veterans and society, Pickett was inducted into the Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame in 2026 and the VFW Triple Crown Class of 2026.

Pickett is an English teacher at The Sound School in New Haven. He received his BA in English from the University of Connecticut in 1991 and was granted a MS in English from Southern Connecticut State University in 2014. He is also a member of the Knights of St. Patrick, and life member of the American Legion, the Disabled American Veterans, the Catholic War Veterans, and Centennial Member of the VFW National Home. He currently resides in New Haven, Connecticut.

AWARDS, ACTIVITIES, & ACCOMPLISHMENTS

  • Inducted into the 2025 Class of the Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame, January 2026.
  • First Iraq and Afghanistan war veteran to be VFW Department of Connecticut Commander (2025-2026).
  • Municipal Veterans’ Representative, City of New Haven (2021-present)
  • Veteran Advisory Council (VAC), Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro, 2026
  • VFW Triple Crown Class 2025-2026 (For having earned All-American honors as Post, District, and Department Commander)
  • Organized and Co-Chaired CTVets250, a joint American Legion and VFW campaign to coordinate and develop America 250 programs in the veteran community in Connecticut (2025-present)
  • Organized and Chaired, Save Our Cemetery (SOC) campaign (2024-present)
  • VFW Connecticut Senior Vice Commander (2024-2025)
  • VFW Smart/Maher VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher Award, VFWCT2 (2023-2024)
  • VFW Connecticut Special License Plate Committee Chairman and Membership Co-Chairman (2023-2024)
  • VFW Connecticut Junior Vice Commander (2023-2024)
  • VFW All-American District Commander (VFWCT2) (2022-2023)
  • VFW Three-Time, All-American Post Commander (2017, 2021, 2023)
  • VFW Four-Time, All-State Post Commander (2016, 2017, 2021, 2023)
  • VFW Four-Year, VFWCT2 District Commander (2019-2023)
  • Nine-Time, Bylaws, Veteran Service Resolution and General Resolutions Appointee, VFW National Convention (2015-2022, 2026)
  • Veterans Advisory Council Member (VAC), Sen. Richard Blumenthal, 2019
  • Organized and Chartered American Legion New Haven Post 210, 2018
  • Organized and Chartered VFW New Haven Post 12150, 2015
  • VFW George S. French Award (For Meritorious and Distinguished Service in Furthering the Aims and Ideals of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States) (2020-2021
  • VFW All-State Post Quartermaster (2018-2019)
  • VFW Honor Commander, Division 9 (2022-2023)
  • VFW Honor Commander, Division 10 (2016-2017, 2020-2021)
  • VFW Past Commander-In-Chief Thomas C. “Pistol Pete” Walker Award (2015-2016, 2016-2017)
  • VFW Past Commander-In-Chief Ed Banas Award (2014-2015, 2016-2017)
  • VFW Post 189 Man of the Year (2012)
  • Distinguished Honor Graduate, Engineer Advanced Leaders Course (2010)