Little Falls chorus honors military

Joseph Lee, cantor at Holy Family Church in Little Falls, served in two branches of the military during Vietnam, as a Marine and an Army Green Beret.

"I was what a lot of people would call a spy," he said of his time in the Marines, when he studied at the Defense Language Institute as a Russian linguist. "It was the 1960s and I was an African-American Marine speaking Russian," he said with no small sense of irony.
After his six years in the Marines were finished, he entered the Army and was trained as a Green Beret. While there he served as the director of the Green Beret Chorus.

Mr. Lee pointed out that he was the last director of the chorus, as the Army decided that Green Berets shouldn't sing.

Now, in a form of poetic justice, Mr. Lee will be part of a 40-voice choir performing in honor of veterans on Nov. 9 at Holy Family.

The concert, titled "Of Faith and Freedom," is an unusual ecumenical effort to honor local veterans, said Mary Puznowski, music minister at Holy Family.

Mrs. Puznowski heard the music performed while at a music conference over the summer.
"I was inspired by the music," she said. "The narrative and music brought tears to my eyes."

In addition to the singers, there are musicians who include a piano player, trumpeters and a bagpiper, she said. Participants range in age from teenagers to those in their 80s, she said. Several veterans' groups will be present at the concert and all will be recognized.

Mrs. Puznowski was surprised by the number of people who wanted to participate.
"I think it touched a nerve," she said. "We are lacking in this area of support for our veterans. There was a need and desire to do something."

Other local churches were enthusiastic about joining the effort. Jane Malin, choir director at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Little Falls, said her whole choir decided to participate in the event.

"This concert is our gift of thanks to our veterans," she said. "It is merely a fraction of what they have given to us and for us, but it is our way of honoring them on this Veterans Day when we are a country at war."

Family at arms
Mrs. Malin's father and uncles served in the military. Her step-son just returned from his third deployment in Iraq. In her full-time work, she is surrounded by military families.

"I was thrilled when Mary notified me that she was organizing this," she said. "In my job as an industrial engineering consultant, I am currently working for SRA International, doing all military contracts on Army bases in the Northeast. 

"I am so privileged to be surrounded by these men and women who serve our country," Mrs. Malin continued. "It is humbling to drive on post through the barricades and guards required to keep them safe.

"I see the soldiers' dedication and passion every day, and it is an honor to know that in some small way I'm helping them through my work efforts."

Funds for vets
Mrs. Puznowski said the concert is free to the public. The choir raised funds to purchase the music and for other expenses. During the concert the audience can make a free will offering to benefit the Welcome Home Initiative, Mrs. Puznow-ski said.

The Welcome Home Initiative is a non-denominational, faith-based charity run by the Christ the King Center, an Episcopal retreat center in Greenwich. The Welcome Home Initiative provides support to those who have suffered physical, psychological, or spiritual trauma in combat.

Mr. Lee is looking forward to the concert. "The music is very moving stuff," he said. "You find yourself humming it. It's nice, well-written music."

Joining with the other members of the choir has been a positive experience for Mr. Lee.
"The concert is good for the Mohawk Valley," he said. "It's been fun for me. It's the most fun I've had singing."

("Of Faith and Freedom," a concert to honor veterans, will be held on Nov. 9 at 3 p.m. at Holy Family Church, Little Falls. For more information, contact the parish at (315) 823-3410.)

(11/06/08)