Irvine, CA (November 1, 2024) - Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris (D-Irvine) on Friday hosted the sixth annual Veterans of the Year ceremony at Irvine Valley College to recognize three veterans living in the 73rd Assembly District.
The honorees, Victor Bakkila, Martha McDonald and Michael Carter, were selected for the honor not only for their military service but their contributions to fellow veterans and the community.
Bakkila, a colonel, served in the U.S. Army Reserve for 37 years. He saw combat in Iraq. He retired in 2022 after serving 26 years with the Costa Mesa Police Department.
Today vice president for Student Services at Irvine Valley College, McDonald spent seven years on active duty in the U.S. Marine Corps and five years in the Reserves, reaching the rank of staff sergeant.
Sgt. Michael Carter served as an Infantry Unit Leader in the U.S. Marine Corps from 2004 to 2013. Carter has been manager of Veteran Services Operations at Goodwill of Orange County since 2021.