Flag-raising salutes patriot

Shannon Keith

Norfleet Sugg of Pinetops said that men like Charles "Keith" Chapman make Edgecombe County one of the most important places in North Carolina.

"Raleigh, Charlotte, Greensboro, Winston-Salem and other North Carolina cities have their urban appeal with high-salary jobs, universities, shopping centers, recreational events, entertainment and many other city services," said Sugg. "Yet, Edgecombe County has a quality of life even greater and more important than these urban centers. Patriotism.

"No state is more patriotic than North Carolina and no county is more patriotic than Edgecombe County. Today, we honor one of our native sons for his personal patriotism, PFC Charles 'Keith' Chapman."

Chapman was honored Monday during the monthly flag-raising service at the Veterans Memorial on the Tarboro Town Common.

The flag-raising services, sponsored by the Tarboro Golden Kiwanis, are held on the first Monday of every month to honor deceased Edgecombe County veterans and other vets who have ties to the area.

The honorees' American flags, which were given to their respective families by the military, are flown over the Veterans Memorial for that month.

Memorabilia from the deceased is also put on display for the month in the Edgecombe County Veterans Military Museum at 106 W. Church St. in Tarboro.

The Tarboro High School Air Force Junior ROTC cadets are responsible for the flag detail each month.

Chapman's ceremony marks the 84th memorial, which have been scheduled into 2010.

A native of Edgecombe County, Chapman was born on Jan. 6, 1964, to Charles and Ann Cobb Chapman.

Chapman attended Living Hope Elementary School and later graduated from South Edgecombe High School.

"He loved the outdoors," said Sugg. "His favorite pastime was fishing."

Chapman enlisted in the United States Army in October of 1984, where he received his basic training at Fort Bliss, Texas.

"He volunteered to serve in the United States Army," said Sugg. "He volunteered because he loved his country and he respected the United States Flag.

"He knew what the red, white and blue stood for, and he fought to protect it."

Chapman was stationed at Fort Bliss after his basic training and served there until his discharge from the military in October of 1987,

After returning to Eastern North Carolina, Chapman worked at the Red and White grocery store and was later employed at a Toyota dealership.

Chapman was later married to Kathy Keel Chapman. The couple had one son, Brian Keith Chapman.

Chapman died on April 25, 2007. He was 43.

"Far, far too early," said Sugg.

Until his death in 2007, Chapman was a loving husband and father and, in addition to his wife and son, remained close with his whole family, including his aunt, Jean Allen.

"He was my baby boy," said Allen. "I have so many good memories of him and the time we shared together.

"We all miss him very much, he was such a loving boy."

Chapman also remained active in the Dilda's Grove Free Will Baptist Church in Fountain until his death.

"He was a Christian, as he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior." said Sugg. "He loved his God, his country, his family and his friends."

Sugg said that Chapman requested that after his death, he be honored at the monthly flag-raising ceremonies in Tarboro and that his uniform be donated to the Edgecombe County Veterans Military Museum.

"He wanted to be honored at this ceremony that has been so successful over the past seven years," said Sugg. "And he wanted his uniform to be displayed in the Veterans Museum.

"He really loved his country, the United States Army and he was proud to wear his uniform."

"Thank you Keith for your patriotism," added Sugg. "And God bless you."

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