Charlie Garza

Recalls Fondly

His Time Here

By TOM YANCEY

Staff Writer

Charlie Garza, who was the first crewman officially assigned to the USS Greeneville nuclear submarine, is the Republican nominee for the 75th District seat in the Texas House of Representatives.

In a telephone interview Wednesday, Garza said he was reminded of Greeneville while riding in the 4th of July parade in East El Paso, Texas, where he now lives with his wife, Tammy, and son Nathanael, named for Nathanael Greene.

Garza said the temperature was over 100, so he decided to wear his USS Greeneville baseball cap while riding in an open car in the parade.

Garza said one man also wearing a cap from another U.S. Navy ship saluted him, and he saluted back. That caused someone standing along the parade route to say, "Thank you for your service."
Garza said he thought to himself at the time, "Man! I haven't heard that since Greeneville." He said the comment made him remember coming to Greeneville in the mid-90s for "Home for the Fourth" celebrations and parades while he was a member of the crew of the submarine named for this community.

He said he remembers Greeneville and Greene County as "the most patriotic community I've ever been associated with," and said he was "disheartened" to learn that there was no July 4th parade here this year.

As a member of the submarine's first crew, Garza visited here several times, and spoke in local schools and to civic groups.

"I think the people of Greeneville are the best," Garza told the Sun. "I can't imagine that the the crew (of the USS Greeneville) doesn't think about you guys and the support and hospitality they've received over the years."

After retiring from the Navy, and earning a master's degree in education from Old Dominion University, Garza became a teacher, and soon became a school administrator.

He is now assistant principal of Desert Hills Elementary School in East El Paso.

Garza served in the U.S. Navy from 1979 to 1999, rising to the rank of chief petty officer. In addition to the USS Greeneville, Garza served on the USS Tennessee, the USS Francis Scott Key, the USS Will Rogers and the USS Ulysses S. Grant.

He also served on the staffs of the commander, Pacific Fleet Submarine Force, and commander, Atlantic Fleet Submarine Force, and received the Navy & Marine Corps Commendation once and Achievement Medal six times.

In June, Garza was unanimously elected to the Texas State Republican Executive Committee (SREC) at the Republican State Convention.

According to an El Paso newspaper, Garza was approached by state party leaders and encouraged to run.

"When I first heard of Charlie I was skeptical, but once you hear and talk to Charlie it becomes obvious that he has great vision and ideas," said Roger O'Dell, chairman of the Republican State Convention Temporary Credentials Committee. "It's clear he intends to put not just the 75th district on the map, but help the entire state of Texas."

Garza told The Greeneville Sun that El Paso "is a Democratic town, one of the last" in a state that has trended Republican for a long time.

"It's going to be an uphill battle," he said, but has been enjoyable so far.

For more information, visit www.carloscharliegarza.com