“Our good friend Charlie” Charlie Wilson lived life to the fullest, along the way “taking care of the homefolks” in Texas and beyond.

June 1, 1933 1961 1973 2003 September 2007 Charles Nesbitt Wilson is born in Trinity. At 27, Wilson, a Wilson takes office as a U.S. Congressman A book by George Crile III After waiting less than two months on a He graduates from Trinity High School in Democrat, is sworn for the 2nd Congressional District of Texas. titled, “Charlie Wilson’s War: transplant list, Wilson receives a donor heart at 1951 and attends Sam Houston State into the state House The Extraordinary Story of the M.D. Anderson Hospital in Houston. Less than University. While there, he is appointed of Representatives, Largest Covert Operation in three months later, he attends the Universal City, to the U.S. Naval Academy. He begins beginning a 36-year History” is released, which Calif., premiere of “Charlie Wilson’s War.” serving in the U.S. Navy in 1956, career in politics. details Wilson’s behind-the- attaining the rank of lieutenant. scenes involvement with the Soviet-Afghan War. 1982 Congressman Wilson meets with Pakistani military leaders who tell him of their need for weapons to thwart a Soviet takeover of Afghani- stan. Using his position on the House Appropria- tions Subcommittee on Defense, he steers nearly $1 billion to the Afghan Mujahideen.

1989 After 10 years of war, February 10, the last Soviet troops leave Afghanistan. 2010 After experiencing When asked during an 1996 shortness of breath, interview on television After being re-elected to Wilson, 76, is news show “60 Congress 11 times, serving transported to Memorial Minutes” what led to the 24 years, Wilson steps down Health System of East Soviet withdrawal, from office. Three years later, Texas. He is pronounced Pakistani leader Gen. he marries former ballerina August 2009 dead at 12:16 p.m., from Muhammad Zia ul-Haq Barbara Alberstadt. A new veteran’s clinic opens, named after Wilson for cardiopulmonary arrest. replied, “Charlie did it.” his efforts on behalf of men and women in uniform.

Denise Hoepfner and Maggie Voss/The Lufkin Daily News