| Published March 12th, 2014 | After Two Tours in Afghanistan, Local Soldier Comes Home | By Cathy Tyson | | Photo courtesy Diablo Valley Flag Brigade | Residents of usually quiet Serrano Court had a patriotic afternoon when U.S. Marine Corps 1st Lt. Leigh Wolf returned from his second tour of duty in Afghanistan. He had been assigned to Combat Logistics Battalion 6 as an executive officer. Native son Wolf was raised in Lafayette, attending Happy Valley Elementary School, Stanley Middle School, and Acalanes and Las Lomas high schools, graduating in 2004. Prior to his service he attended San Francisco State University. He enlisted in the Marine Corp Reserve in the spring of 2008 and was later accepted at Officer Candidate School, where he graduated in April of 2010.
Volunteering for both deployments, Wolf left in March 2012 for his initial tour of duty in Afghanistan, where he was assigned to the First Marine Logistics Group as platoon commander. He was home for less than a year before he went back to Afghanistan for his second tour in July 2013, after completing training at Camp Lejeune, N.C., this time assigned to Combat Logistics Battalion 6 as the executive officer.
The Diablo Valley Flag Brigade arranged for the overwhelming Operation Welcome Home event; Warriors' Watch Riders on motorcycles, loads of flags, music, veterans, Blue Star Moms, and a special recognition from District 2 Supervisor Candace Andersen, along with neighbors, friends and family, all offering heartfelt thanks for Lt. Wolf's service to the country.
Wolf couldn't have been more gracious, "I love the Marine Corps, and I love what I do for the Marine Corps. It's an honor to serve my country and serve all of you." He thanked everyone for coming out, adding he especially appreciated the care packages over the holidays. "I'd go back and do it again in a heartbeat if I could, but the war is mostly over." Getting emotional he reflected that many of his fellow soldiers didn't make it back from Afghanistan: "They are the real heroes."
| | Leigh Wolf and Candace Andersen | | Photos courtesy Diablo Valley Flag Brigade | | | | | | | |