Daily Pilot
Just ahead of Veterans Day, Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris (D-Irvine) named former U.S. Army Specialist Charles Wolfe “Veteran of the Year” for California’s 73rd Assembly District during a ceremony held this week at Irvine Valley College.
A nearly 50-year resident of Costa Mesa, Wolfe was nominated for the honor by city Mayor John Stephens, who attended the ceremony with City Manager Cecelia Gallardo-Daly.
Wolfe enlisted in 1966 and served along the Korean Demilitarized Zone before being deployed to Vietnam with the 101st Airborne Division. As part of the Forward Logistics Element for the 3rd Brigade, he supported frontline operations before being wounded in action.
After returning home, he continued his service at the Naval Weapons Station in Seal Beach and the U.S. Postal Service in Huntington Beach and remains actively engaged in the Costa Mesa Police and Fire Citizens academies and American Legion Newport Harbor Post 291.
Petrie-Norris, who honored the Costa Mesa resident along with two other veterans, said Wolfe’s contributions to the nation and his city exemplifies integrity, service and community spirit.