War veterans keep the faith

It took three years of fundraising, meetings and planning, but, in the end, World War II veteran Sam Caporossi is very proud of the results.

"I got a lot of flack from other veterans, who said, 'Where were you 30 years ago?' and I say, 'You're a veteran, too; where were you?'"

Mr. Caporossi was referring to the World War II memorial that now stands at the intersection of State Street and Kingsboro Avenue in Gloversville. The former Navy sailor spearheaded a committee of fellow veterans and city representatives who pitched in to raise $80,000 to purchase and install the memorial, which has graced the corner since Veterans' Day, 2002.

Veterans

Fulton County's sentiments are now set in the stone that is the area's only memorial to the Second World War; but every third Thursday of the month, Mr. Caporossi also participates in what could be called a living monument.

As a member of the Catholic War Veterans, he gathers with other ex-servicemen to socialize, raise money for community causes, support local churches and remember old times.

According to Richard Dugal, a Vietnam vet who is the New York State Vice-Commander of the Catholic War Veterans, the organization's goal is to provide veterans with a society that "parallels the others, like the VFW, but which supports the Church" and its causes.

Serving still

At a national level, CWV members participate in pro-life activities, march in parades, speak up in support of the armed forces and priests, and advocate for hospitalized veterans.

CWV commanders and affiliates also issue resolutions on issues affecting the Church: war, the education of youth in American history and traditions, and the sexual abuse scandal.

In Gloversville, regular Bingo games provide funds for Girl and Boy Scout activities. They also give scholarships to teens for the Albany diocesan Christian Leadership Institute, and help fund YMCA programs as well as summer camps run by 4H and the Jewish Community Center.

And every Memorial Day for the past 50 years, members hand out American flags in remembrance of the war dead.

Seeking members

"It's a very worthwhile organization, and a great group of men and women," said Gloversville post commander Michael DiMarco Jr., a retired Air National Guard member who served at Stratton Air Force Base in Schenectady for 30 years. He is a parishioner at St. Mary of Mount Carmel parish.

That's why it's sad to see the Gloversville contingent "getting on in years," he said. "Most of them are World War II veterans and Korean War vets, mostly in their seventies and eighties."

While many Gloversville natives are serving in the military, none seem to want to join the CWV, he noted. He speculates that this could be part of the changing attitude toward veterans since the end of World War II. While vets of that war were met with parades and adulation, Korean War veterans were sometimes ignored and Vietnam vets were openly reviled.

Mr. Caporossi, who joined the CWV directly after leaving the Navy, doesn't know why younger veterans don't seem to be coming forward to join.

"They don't have any interest in it," he said. "They don't want to belong to any club at all associated with veterans. If they do, it's not around here. They come out of the service, and they want to forget the service."

But the status of the CWV in the Diocese is far from dire. According to Mr. Dugal, the organization is planning a new post in Schenectady. They envision that it will be named after Archbishop Joseph Ryan, a late Albany priest who was once head of all military chaplains.

(Once a year, members of the Catholic War Veterans meet in their respective states to elect officers and share their stories. This year's New York State convention was held last week in East Durham. For information about Catholic War Veterans, call Andrew Aiezza, Chapter commander, 439-3554.)

(5/22/03) [[In-content Ad]]