United States Navy, 1970-1976
Charlie was born and raised in The Bronx.
Charlie was 19 when he joined The Navy. He did his boot camp training in Great Lakes, Illinois in 1970. He was then stationed at the Brooklyn Navy yard for a short time. After Brooklyn he was then transferred to the Norfolk Navy Station in Virginia. He was then transferred to Gaeta, Italy. This was his new home port where he was stationed for 2 years. On the USS Springfield, a light guided missel cruiser and part of the Navy’s Mediterranean 6th Fleet, he learned many skills, gained confidence and learned the power of teamwork. He forged many friendships along the way. He joined the American Legion in 1980 and the Sgt. John Sardiello Post 1634 after his move to West Babylon in 1993 where he is now the Commander of that post.
Charlie is an extraordinary man who works tirelessly to help those around him. He has been happily married to his wife Evelyn for 46 years and is the proud father of three children and grandfather of seven. He feels he has been blessed with a good life full of good friends, a wonderful loving family, good health and the ability to do all the things he loves, so he wants to give something back to the community, veterans and to those who are less fortunate.