Father, son share deep veteran bond

Sergeant Timothy Lee (left) is following in the footsteps of his veteran father, Sergeant First Class Charlie Lee. Timothy, who is stationed in Korea, was home on leave last week. (Democrat Tribune photo / Marissa Holiman)

There is nothing stronger than the mutual pride between father and son, both of whom chose a life of service. Such is the case of a father and son duo Sergeant First Class Charlie Lee and Sergeant Timothy Lee of Lepanto. The two men share not only the bond of blood, but also that of devotion to their country.

"I have raised both of my children to love their country and to serve it," said Charlie Lee.

Charlie, 10 year resident of Lepanto, served in the Army for 21 and half years. He began his career in Marked Tree with 875th Engineer Battalion.

"I have traveled to over 40 countries and 45 states," he said.

Charlie's military career ranges from combat of arms to being employed at the National Commission Academy (NCO) as a squad level trainer. The NCO is the first school of leadership training.

After more than two decades in the service, Charlie retired to become a civilian employee for the military for five years. He was in the security plans and operations.

Like generations of soldiers before, Timothy followed in his father's footsteps and began his military career in 2001 at the young age of 17. Over the past eight years, Lee has exceeded his father's expectations and more in the Army.

Timothy has received the Audi Murphy Award, a Combat Action Badge (a badge for engaging the enemy or being engaged by the enemy) and has received over 20 different coins of excellence from his commanders.

"I served as a gun truck sergeant in my one year combat tour in Iraq," Timothy said. He said he did over 200 gun truck missions. "My job was to protect the local people and to escort the guns safely."

When Sgt. Lee was stationed in Fort Erwin National Training Center in California, he was an instructor for the center.

"I was the last of the soldiers training before they were deployed to Iraq," he said.

Although, modest about his accomplishments in the army, he has made his father very proud of him.

"In my opinion, he has turned into the best soldier in the U.S. Army," said Charlie.

Timothy is currently stationed in Korea, where two sergeants work under him. He is also responsible for 21 soldiers.

"What I love most about my job, is taking care of the soldiers," he said. "I love being able to be apart of their development. In a way I feel like they are my children."

Timothy has two children of his own. Timothy Lee Jr. is five and Makayla Lee is one.