Family, friends, community remember military veteran and advocate Charlie Waters

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Hundreds gathered to remember and celebrate the life of military veteran and advocate Charlie Waters Saturday morning.

The sound of bagpipes greeted the hundreds who gathered at the Peoples Church in Fresno for his funeral. It was a time to mourn.

"We hurt mourning the loss of such a dear friend, a father, a brother, and a husband," said Reverend Dan Payne, Waters' pastor and friend. "There's not going to be another Charlie Waters."

But it was also a time remember, and celebrate the distinguished life of a military man with an enormous heart. Assemblyman Jim Patterson was there as a friend of Waters, who he called a hard-charging marine that was tough, but also tender-hearted.

"How shall we then live our lives? In order to say thank you to Charlie and to extend his legacy," Patterson said.

Congressman Jim Costa says Waters inspired everyone to try harder. He was a mentor, leader, and all-around hero.

"For he was a giver and a champion and a fighter and hard work was his credo, no matter what the circumstances were," Costa said.

Costa says Waters was a voice for veterans who could not speak for themselves. And he was a man who, up until his final days, said he had more work to do for them.

John Bart says he was the most prolific veteran's advocate he ever met.

"He had a true heart for veterans, a true heart for this country, he was indeed a patriot," Bart said.

A 21-gun salute was held before bagpipes sounded again, leading Charlie Waters, an American hero, off to his final resting place.