Thursday, October 1, 2026
For nearly six decades, Charles Wroblewski has answered the call to serve.
Whether wearing the uniform of a U.S. Army soldier, investigating cases as an FBI agent or comforting fellow veterans as chaplain of American Legion Post 1132, the lifelong Seaford resident has built a life centered on helping others. Earlier this month, the Town of Hempstead recognized that commitment by presenting Wroblewski with its Veterans Service Award at the town's annual Salute to Veterans event at Town Park in Point Lookout.
"I was surprised," Wroblewski, 84, said. "It means that maybe I did accomplish what I wanted to do, and that is helping others."
Town Councilman Chris Schneider, who nominated Wroblewski for the award, said the choice was an easy one. "Charlie never stops serving others," Schneider said. "He's heavily involved with the Seaford American Legion and devoted countless hours to helping his fellow veterans, raising awareness and educating the community, and other important service projects. He was a natural choice for me."
Although the award recognizes his decades of volunteer work, Wroblewski said he had a desire to serve long before he returned to Seaford after retiring from the FBI in 2005.
Drafted into the Army in 1966, he served with the Staff Judge Advocate's Office at Camp Red Cloud, in South Korea, during the Vietnam War. While stationed overseas, he said, he volunteered at local orphanages, which opened his eyes to the hardships many people faced.
"We used to go and visit the orphanages with the little kids," he recalled. "It was an exposure to life that I never had before. I think it gave me a sense of what a great country we live in. Maybe that's one of the reasons when I came back, I wanted to help others, because I saw how bad it was."
Following his military service, Wroblewski spent nearly four decades with the FBI, serving in field offices across the country before finishing his career overseeing hiring for the bureau. Each assignment, he said, reinforced the value of compassion and public service.
"My whole life experience made me care for others," he said. "I'd rather do something for others than for myself."
When he retired, Wroblewski returned to his childhood home in Seaford. "I think it goes back to giving back to the community where I was educated and where I will always call home," he said.
Since then, he has become one of Seaford's most recognizable volunteers. In addition to serving as an American Legion chaplain, he is active with the Seaford Lions Club, the Historical Society and a number of other community organizations. He estimates that he volunteers at least 10 hours a week.
At Post 1132, Wroblewski helps ensure that veterans and their families remain connected to the organization, visiting aging members, coordinating memorial services for veterans who die, and organizes donations in their memory.
One recent visit, he said, reminded him why the work matters. After learning that a longtime legion member had reached a milestone anniversary with the organization, Wroblewski had his membership certificate framed and delivered it to his home.
"He was so happy that somebody had gone to visit him," Wroblewski said. "I walked out of there and I felt so great. It's the little things like that."
"Charlie is one of the most visible people in Seaford because he's involved in so many service organizations," Schneider said. "However, what those who never met him may not know is that he is a walking history book about Seaford. He has so much knowledge about the community and how it's grown over the years."
His generosity also extends beyond his time. During the pandemic, when the post's rental income disappeared almost overnight, Wroblewski made a critical donation to help keep the building operating.
"If it didn't survive, there wouldn't be an American Legion," he said. "We couldn't pay the electric and gas bills. We had no rentals. We had no source of income. We were dead."
Schneider described the contribution as "a very generous gift from a very generous man who did what he always does — lent a helping hand."
Despite the long list of his contributions, Wroblewski downplays them, saying he never sought recognition. "Self-praise stinks," he said with a laugh. "You're not looking for the honor, but it's nice to understand that people recognize you're helping. It gives you a sense of accomplishment."
These days, Wroblewski continues organizing veterans’ programs, judging student essay contests, honoring local teachers and helping bring veterans from the Northport VA Medical Center and Stony Brook Veterans Home to community events. If you’ve served you can find him on the first and third Wednesdays of the month at 2301 Penatiquit Avenue which is the address of Seaford’s American Legion.
This role model hopes younger veterans will eventually follow his example. "I would say get involved," he said. "You've got to learn about service somehow, and you've got to get in there in the trenches."
Asked what he hopes people remember most about him, Wroblewski paused before offering a simple answer. "That I was a kind person," he said. "That I did what I thought was right." He also is quick to remind us that veterans provided the lifestyle we have at home and should be especially appreciated on the 250th anniversary of the United States this year.
