The Charlton Veteran Memorial Society Inc. (LLC) is dedicated to advocating for and supporting the overall mental health and wellness of Veterans. Our mission is to ensure that those who have served our country receive the care, respect, and opportunities they deserve, with a special focus on the unique needs of female veterans.

Who was SGT Cornelius H. Charlton? He was my great uncle, a fellow Bronx resident, who fought and died in the U.S. Army during the Korean War in 1951. For his brave efforts, he was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, as well as the Purple Heart. His Niece (my grandmother) Zenobia Penn fought just as hard to get him rightfully reburied at Arlington National Cemetery in 2008.

After 9/11, I myself served in Iraq, following in the footsteps of my family. I am grateful to be of sound mind and body today, to be able to pay my respects forward, assisting other veterans in achieving a quality of life, which has taken years for me to cultivate.

The importance of recognition goes without saying. This is why we as family members, veterans, and community leaders choose to recognize our men and women sacrificing their lives for us to this very day! Statistically, our female veterans are an undeserved and often misrepresented population. According to a 2025 NYC Council Testimony, as of 2024, there were 624 Veterans in the shelter system. The NYC Department of Veterans Services estimates women make up roughly 13% of the Veteran population. With higher rates of military sexual trauma (MST), reproductive health needs, and childcare challenges as heads of households, females veterans have a unique set of issues that pose a challenge to being addressed. Charlton Veteran Memorial Society aims to target these needs.

Right now, we are working to establish ourselves as a nonprofit organization. The funds raised will go directly toward the necessary filing and processing fees, which are essential for us to become a recognized nonprofit. Once we achieve this status, we will be able to apply for grants and expand our programs to promote the quality of life for female veterans, providing them with resources, support, and opportunities for growth and healing.

We invite you to join our mission and support our efforts to make a difference in the lives of veterans, especially women who have served. Your support will help us take the first step toward creating lasting change. Together, we can honor their service and help them thrive.

To learn more about the heroic journey of SGT Cornelius H. Charlton and the efforts of Charlton Veteran Memorial Society, please visit our Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/share/18RbJ3WE9s/