ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA – Growing up in Clover, South Carolina, U.S. Army National Guard Specialist Charles H. Hoffmann greatly admired his parents’ and grandfather’s dedication to their country.
In fact, their example inspired him to join the National Guard two years ago.
Spc. Hoffmann’s mother served as a Judge Advocate General (JAG) in the Tennessee Army Guard for 24 years, while his father served as a field artillery officer in the 101st Airborne Division.
“I mainly joined the National Guard to help pay for school, but also because I wanted to carry on the tradition of serving in my family,” Hoffmann said. “Both my parents served in the Army as well as my grandfather, and it makes me extremely proud to follow in their footsteps.”
Hoffmann, a Winthrop University junior studying elementary education, was honored by NASCAR this summer as part of its NASCAR Salutes Refreshing Moments. The organization specifically noted his work with his fellow soldiers from the 1050th Transportation Battalion and the 178th Engineer Battalion delivering meals and distributing books to children in Horry County.
He traveled to Horry County in April for what was originally a two-week mission…but it ended up turning into two months.
“We were tasked with driving the school buses on routes to deliver meals to kids,” Hoffmann explained. “My route took me right into downtown Myrtle Beach, and I had several stops at motels and trailer parks where hundreds of kids live. The civilian bus drivers that had been doing my route before had been handing out books to the kids.”
He decided to try and raise money to buy books.
“Once the librarians in the school district found out what we were doing, we had more books than we could give away,” Hoffmann said. “In total, we distributed upwards of 2,000 books throughout Horry County. This was only made possible with the help of my fellow soldiers from the 1050th Transportation Battalion and the 178th Engineer Battalion.”
“Being able to serve your country as well as your community and state is one of the reasons the National Guard is so unique.”
Throughout his National Guard career, Hoffmann has appreciated being able to take part in COVID-19 relief missions, including missions for DHEC, the Medical University of South Carolina and other medical organizations that are operating mobile test sites statewide.
Hoffmann’s wife, Hadasah, is currently studying exercise science at Winthrop. After graduation, Spc. Hoffmann hopes to pursue full-time opportunities with the National Guard, continuing his love of service.
