Tonight, I would like to adjourn in memory of Chuck Morris, a strong advocate for veterans and a veteran himself, who passed away last month at the age of 87.
Chuck was well-known throughout our community as an advocate and activist who had a lasting impact on everyone he came in contact with over his lifetime.
Chuck was born on February 9, 1935 in Chicago and moved to the San Fernando Valley as a teenager.
At the age of 17, he began his service in the United States Army.
Chuck was a Korean War veteran and was awarded the Army Occupation-National Defense Medal for his service.
He received an honorable discharge with a rank of Private First Class.
A few years after completing his service, Chuck got married to the love of his life, Barbara. The couple had two children.
He worked for decades selling cars before retiring in the early 1990s and moving to Santa Clarita.
Chuck was a champion for veterans, volunteering his time to organizations such as the SCV Senior Center’s Veterans Club, the Friendly Valley Veterans Club, Operation Gratitude, Habitat for Heroes and the Veterans Advocacy Network.
He was on the committee that helped with the development of Veterans Historical Plaza in Old Town Newhall and was vital in bringing the Traveling Vietnam Memorial Wall to Santa Clarita in 2013.
In 2014, Chuck was named the 38th Assembly District’s Veteran of the Year by Scott Wilk, who was serving in the State Assembly at the time.
We are saddened by Chuck’s passing and our thoughts are with Barbara and their extended family and friends.