About Charlie

JOURNALIST • SOLDIER • TEACHER • ADVOCATE

Charles M. “Charlie” Pickett continued a family legacy of military service when he joined the U.S. Army Engineer Corps in 2007 at age 39.

From 2007 to 2011 he served with the 814th Engineer Company (Multi-Role Bridge) at Fort Polk, Louisiana, and the Connecticut Army National Guard 250th Engineer Company (MRBC) from 2011 to 2014. He earned his VFW eligibility by serving in Iraq from 2007 to 2008 (Iraqi Surge) and Afghanistan from 2010 to 2011 (Consolidation III & Transition I). In recognition of his service, SSG Pickett received the Combat Action Badge, three Army Commendation Medals, two Army Achievement Medals, the Army Good Conduct Medal, and numerous other medals and ribbons.

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, Connecticut. 

While in graduate school in 2011, Pickett learned American veterans had substantially higher suicide rates than the general U.S. population. Wanting to combat the veteran suicide crisis, and realizing there were no open veteran service organizations in Connecticut’s second-largest city, Pickett organized the chartering of both the Veterans of Foreign Wars New Haven Post 12150 in 2015 and the American Legion New Haven Post 210 in 2018. 

Understanding that social connectedness is a valuable, community-based suicide prevention strategy, Pickett organized, promoted, and volunteered for hundreds of social and charitable activities including #VetEvents, #VetHikes, Buddy Poppy drives, wellness checks, fundraisers, ceremonies, speakers, SOS breakfasts, and by cooking or providing dozens of dinners with the goal of building a thriving and supportive veterans community in greater New Haven.

Subsequently, Pickett has thrice led VFW New Haven to All-American status as a Gold Legacy Life member. Additionally, he has served in dozens of elected and appointed positions at the Post, District, and Department Levels, including 2024 Department of Connecticut Senior Vice Commander, a four-year term as Adjutant / Commander of District 2 Department of Connecticut, and as the first City of New Haven Municipal Veterans Representative (2021-present).

Pickett is an award-winning English teacher at the The Sound School Regional Vocational Aquaculture Center in New Haven, Connecticut. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Connecticut in 1991 and was granted a Master of Science degree in English from Southern Connecticut State University in 2014. 

He is also a member of the Knights of St. Patrick, life member of the Disabled American Veterans, and Centennial Member of the VFW National Home.

He currently resides in New Haven, Connecticut. 

AWARDS & ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Organized and Co-Chaired the America 250 Connecticut Veterans Coalition, a joint American Legion and VFW campaign to coordinate and develop America 250 programs in the veteran community in Connecticut.
• 2024-2025 Chairman and organizer, Save Our Cemetery (SOC) campaign
• 2024-2025 VFW Connecticut Senior Vice Commander
• 2023-2024 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
• Municipal Veterans’ Representative, City of New Haven (2021-present)
• 2022-2023 All-American District Commander (VFWCT2)
• Three-Time, All-American Post Commander (2017, 2021, 2023)
• Four-Time, All-State Post Commander (2016, 2017, 2021, 2023)
• Four-Year, VFWCT2 District Commander (2019-2023)
• Five-Time, Veteran Service Resolution Appointee, VFW National Convention
• Veterans Advisory Council Member, Sen. Richard Blumenthal, 2019
• Organized and Chartered American Legion New Haven Post 210, 2018
• Organized and Chartered VFW New Haven Post 12150, 2015
• 2020-2021 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)
• All-State Post Quartermaster (2018-2019)
• Honor Commander, Division 9 (2022-2023)
• Honor Commander, Division 10 (2016-2017, 2020-2021)
• Past Commander-In-Chief Thomas C. “Pistol Pete” Walker Award (2015-2016, 2016-2017)
• 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)