MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — For Chuck Ghuste, service didn’t end when he left the U.S. Marine Corps. If anything, it evolved — from the discipline of a military life to the compassion of a father carrying on his son’s dream.

Ghuste, a Marine veteran who worked as both an engineer and a heavy gunner during his service, now leads Operation Activet, a nonprofit devoted to helping veterans and first responders heal through shared experiences and community. It’s a mission born from love, loss and a promise.

“Everything in my life seems to come with a long story,” Ghuste said with a laugh. “My wife usually gives me the ‘cut it off’ signal when I talk too long. But this one’s worth telling.”

The story begins with Ghuste’s eldest son, C.J. “Shooter” Ghuste, an Army airborne sniper who served in Afghani

See Full Page