We will celebrate Veterans Day next week and salute all who served and pay tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.
It’s also an appropriate opportunity to recognize a recent special ceremony at American Legion Post 291 in Newport Beach, where two disabled veterans, Brian Vott and Charles Whitehead, were gifted in a surprise moment with an electric wheelchair by the local nonprofit Veterans Relief Foundation.
In addition to the well-deserving (and startled) veterans, American flags adorned the auditorium along with the color guard and military performances. Leaders of the American Legion Post provided testimonials during the celebration, according to Veterans Relief Foundation volunteer official Mike Ivey of Newport Beach.
The VRF provides alternative therapeutic programs and waterfront events for physically and emotionally wounded veterans, helping build self-esteem and wellness through specialized watercraft equipment.
The American Legion Post 291 focuses on immediate aid for veterans in crisis through its Veterans Emergency Assistance Fund, which helps with housing, medical bills and car repairs. While the two organizations operate in Newport Beach, their missions differ: VRF offers therapeutic activities, whereas the American Legion’s VEAF provides direct financial assistance.
Vott served in the U.S. Army’s 1st Armored Division (Old Ironsides), and the 3rd Infantry Division (Rock the Marne) for the majority of his career, operating in Desert Shield, Desert Storm and several individual missions.
Originally from San Diego, Vott joined the Army in 2000 and successfully completed Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Still, Oklahoma, and was honored as the top AIT graduate, known as the Master Blaster, which “refers to all my airstrikes, artillery strikes and naval gunfire strikes more accurately than anyone else in the class and overall a 97% kill effectiveness,” Vott said.
Vott was stationed in Europe for three-plus years, in addition to his Middle East tours of duty.
“(I) qualified as a combat medic on top of my Forward Observer MOS (military occupational specialty), marched 100 miles in four days with full gear in Nijmegen, Holland, as a competition (and) placed second in all of Europe NATO forces,” Vott said.
Whitehead served in the U.S. Army Reserves from 1982 to 1987. He is an actor, musician, singer/songwriter and composer, while producing, directing and editing movies and music videos.
Whitehead, who has worked at Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center since 1994, is also the co-leader of a band called “Per Se” and has been teaching a songwriting class through Rancho’s Wellness Center since 2018.
Since being injured in a car accident, in which Whitehead was paralyzed, he has played wheelchair basketball and football.
“Keep your head up (and) refuse to lose,” Whitehead said, because “life is good.”
Whitehead is the vice president of the Paralyzed Veterans of America California Chapter in Long Beach, and serves on the board of directors for four other nonprofits. He’s the co-host of Operation Confidence’s podcast radio show “America’s Invisible Heroes,” which offers information and resources to help support veterans.
Also an owner of a trucking business, Whitehead serves as the chair of the Board of Examiners, Amendments and Condemnations Commission for the city of Long Beach.
Richard Dunn, a longtime sportswriter, writes the Dunn Deal column regularly for The Orange County Register’s weekly, The Coastal Current North.