CDR Wolfe Remembered By Family & Colleagues in Iraq

****Memorial Service details here****Another post here.*****
This is a great write up and I highly recommend that you follow the link to see the pictures and this moving video -

Commander Duane Wolfe remembered by family and by colleagues in Iraq
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Reported by: Stacy Daniel

The family of a hometown hero from Los Osos speaks out about a man who gave his life for his country.

54-year-old Naval Commander Duane Wolfe was killed in action on Memorial Day.

The civilian leader at Vandenberg Air Force Base was in Iraq supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. On Monday, Wolfe and two other servicemen died after being hit by an IED, southeast of Fallujah. Commander Wolfe was due to retire and return home to Los Osos in two months.
Commander Duane Wolfe was a man who loved his family and his country. He served both of them proudly.

"Until you come home to your childhood home and realize that something is missing, it's not real until you see you're family and realize that a part of it's missing, it's doesn't set in," said Katie Wolfe, the daughter of fallen Los Osos serviceman Commander Duane Wolfe.

An American hero known simply by some as "dad." Commander Duane Wolfe volunteered for a six-month tour of duty in Iraq, on Memorial Day he was killed by a roadside bomb.

Daughter Carrie Wolfe Smith said, "He was so selfless, obviously to do this when he wasn't required to go, but his biggest fear was to not go and to not do something that he'd sent others to do."

A lifelong military man, Commander Wolfe joined the Navy at age 17. Shortly after, he met and married his wife, Cindi. She said, "We met when were only 19. What do you know at 19? You know? And boy, I really lucked out in the husband department there for 34 years."

Set to retire and return home in just two months, Commander Wolfe's death has devastated his family.

Evan Wolfe, the Commander's only son said, "I just waited for myself to wake up because I thought it was a bad dream."

The family says sharing the story of their fallen hero makes it easier to cope with their loss.

Wolfe's wife Cindy said, "Sharing the things and the tears and the pain and the memories of him are such a comfort and such a strength that, until I can stand on my own again I draw that from the love of the community."

Commander Duane Wolfe: husband, father and hero to all.

The Wolfe family says the outpouring of love and support they have received from the community is helping them through this difficult time. They say Duane Wolfe was always their hero and now he is one of America's heroes.

The Wolfe family is planning a memorial service here at home. They are having trouble finding a place large enough to handle all the people who want to pay their respects to the fallen hero.
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Thursday, May 28, 2009
Reported by: Carina Corral
During a memorial service held Tuesday in Baghdad, Commander Duane Wolfe's name was called out as part of a traditional "last roll call."

Commander Wolfe was killed in the line of duty in Iraq on Monday. He was a civilian leader at Vandenberg Air Force Base and resident of Los Osos.

On display were Commander Wolfe's helmet and identification tags to signify the fallen warrior. His inverted rifle signals a break in action to pay tribute, and his combat boots represent his final march in battle.

Commander Wolfe was remembered as a man who served his nation with honor and devotion.

"Commander Wolfe earned the respect of everyone he served with, and he prevailed in the face of adversity with strength, determination and dignity," said Major General Michael Eyre.
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I recommend going and watching the video and going to the story for all the pictures they have accompanying this story.

Fair winds and following seas, Commander.