FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: Fr Vincent Capodanno ~ November 24, 2014

Our Troops Rock! Thank you for all you do!

For the freedom you enjoyed yesterday... Thank the Veterans who served in The United States Armed Forces.

Looking forward to tomorrow's freedom? Support The United States Armed Forces Today!

~ Hall of Heroes ~

Fr. Vincent Capodanno

Info from this website.

Servant of God Vincent Robert Capodanno (February 13, 1929–September 4, 1967) was a United States Navy chaplain and a recipient of America's highest military decoration - the Medal of Honor - for actions during the Vietnam War.

Vincent Capodanno was born in Staten Island, New York, on February 13, 1929. He graduated from Curtis High School in Staten Island, New York and then attended Fordham University for a year before entering the Maryknoll Missionary seminary in New York. He was ordained a Catholic priest in June 1957.

Father Capodanno's first assignment as a missionary was with aboriginal Taiwanese in the mountains of Taiwan where he served in a parish and later in a school. After seven years, Father Capodanno returned to the United States for leave and then was assigned to a Maryknoll school in Hong Kong. Father Vincent Capodanno's relatives now reside in Delaware & Florida, the youngest known is his great nephew who is a successful banker in Florida Ross Capodanno.

In December 1965, Father Capodanno received his commission as a lieutenant in the Navy Chaplain Corps. He was assigned to the First Marine Division in Vietnam in April 1966.

At 4:30 am, September 4, 1967, during Operation Swift in the Thang Binh District of the Que-Son Valley, elements of the 1st Battalion 5th Marines encountered a large North Vietnamese unit of approximately 2500 men near the village of Dong Son. The outnumbered and disorganized Company D was in need of reinforcements. By 9:14 am, twenty-six Marines were confirmed dead and another company of Marines was committed to the battle. At 9:25 am, the commander of 1st Battalion 5th Marine requested further reinforcements.

Father Capodanno went among the wounded and dying, giving last rites and taking care of his Marines. Wounded once in the face and having his hand almost severed, he went to help a wounded corpsman only yards from an enemy machinegun and was killed. His body was recovered and interred in his family's plot in Saint Peters Cemetery, West New Brighton, Staten Island, New York.

On December 27, 1968, then Secretary of the Navy Paul Ignatius notified the Capodanno family that Lieutenant Capodanno would posthumously be awarded the Medal of Honor in recognition of his selfless sacrifice. The official ceremony was held January 7, 1969.

Father Capodanno's official Medal of Honor citation is as follows:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as Chaplain of the 3d Battalion, in connection with operations against enemy forces. In response to reports that the 2d Platoon of M Company was in danger of being overrun by a massed enemy assaulting force, Lt. Capodanno left the relative safety of the company command post and ran through an open area raked with fire, directly to the beleaguered platoon. Disregarding the intense enemy small-arms, automatic-weapons, and mortar fire, he moved about the battlefield administering last rites to the dying and giving medical aid to the wounded. When an exploding mortar round inflicted painful multiple wounds to his arms and legs, and severed a portion of his right hand, he steadfastly refused all medical aid. Instead, he directed the corpsmen to help their wounded comrades and, with calm vigor, continued to move about the battlefield as he provided encouragement by voice and example to the valiant Marines. Upon encountering a wounded corpsman in the direct line of fire of an enemy machine gunner positioned approximately 15 yards away, Lt. Capodanno rushed a daring attempt to aid and assist the mortally wounded corpsman. At that instant, only inches from his goal, he was struck down by a burst of machine gun fire. By his heroic conduct on the battlefield, and his inspiring example, Lt. Capodanno upheld the finest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the cause of freedom.

On May 19, 2002, Capodanno's Cause for Canonization was officiallywidth="200"><

b> opened, and so he is now referred to as a Servant of God.

In May 2004 the Initial Documentation was submitted to The Congregation for the Causes of Saints with CatholicMil acting as Petitioner and Father Daniel Mode named Postulator.

On May 21, 2006 a Public Decree of Servant of God was issued by the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA. The statement was made by Archbishop Edwin F. O’Brien in Washington D.C.

Memorials

USS Capodanno

USS Capodanno (FF-1093) was named in honor of Lieutenant Capodanno. The Capodanno was commissioned September 17, 1973 and was decommissioned July 30, 1993 and sold to Turkey. It became the first ship in U.S fleet to receive a Papal Blessing when it was blessed by Pope John Paul II in Naples, Italy, July 4, 1981.

New York City

In March 1971, the Knights of Columbus, Madonna Council in Staten Island sought to have a permanent public memorial honoring Father Capodanno. In October 1974, a bill was proposed to change the name of a three-mile (5 km) section of Seaside Boulevard to Father Capodanno Boulevard; a year later, the bill was passed by the Mayor of New York.

The city of New York declared July 3, 1976 "Father Capodanno Day" and held a Mass, followed by a parade that included the United States Marine Corps Color Guard, bands from the United States Navy and the United States Marine Corps, and Boy and Girl Scouts.

A monument was erected at the corner of Sand Lane and Father Capodanno Blvd on Staten Island. It is made of light gray Barre granite, stands 8' high and 4' wide and has a bronze plaque.

Saint Vincent Chapel, Taiwan

Saint Vincent's Chapel was the Capodanno family's first choice as a memorial. Within four months after his death, almost $4,000 had been raised by organizations such as The American Legion, The Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Knights of Columbus and the Marine Corps League. The Chapel, however, was not completed until 1993. It was built in the small mountain town of Thiankou with the help of Father Dan Dolan, another Maryknoller and Father Capodanno's former pastor when he was a missionary in Taiwan.

Capodanno Hall, San Francisco Bay Naval Shipyard

The San Francisco Bay Naval Shipyard dedicated Capodanno Hall on November 3, 1969. The hall serves as a Bachelor Officers' Quarters. Phillip Capodanno unveiled the plaque which describes Father Capodanno's heroic deed:

"Lieutenant Capodanno made the ultimate sacrifice ministering to the wounded and dying during savage fighting in Vietnam. He has become the third chaplain in our country's history to receive the Medal of Honor and the second Navy chaplain to be so honored".

Other memorials

    * Capodanno Memorial Chapel, Lakeside TQ, IRAQ
    * Capodanno Chapel, Que Son Valley, VietNam
    * Capodanno Memorial Chapel Naval Base, Newport, RI
    * Capodanno Chapel,Naval Hospital, Oakland, CA
    * Capodanno Street, Naval Base, Newport, RI
    * Capodanno Chapel, Camp Pendelton, CA
    * Modern sculpture, Piazza Capodanno, Gaeta, Italy
    * Capodanno Chapel, Ft. Wadsworth, Staten Island
    * Capodanno Building, Millington, TN
    * Capodanno Chapel, Marine Corps Air Station, Iwakuni, Japan
    * Catholic Chaplains Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington,
   VA
    * Fort Wadsworth statue, Fort Wadsworth Army Chapel School.

Please remember the Canteen is here to honor, support and entertain our troops and their families. This is a politics-free zone! Thanks for helping us in our mission!

We had about an inch back then, and it is long gone.

You guys REALLY need some insulation.

21 posted on 11/23/2014 5:48:24 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska (((~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)))

To: Kathy in Alaska; LUV W

Center> Hello Heroes

22 posted on 11/23/2014 5:48:48 PM PST by SandRat (Duty - Honor - Country! What else needs said?)

To: Kathy in Alaska

23 posted on 11/23/2014 5:52:57 PM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)

To: ConorMacNessa

In first....Mac grabs the gold!!

24 posted on 11/23/2014 6:05:00 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska (((~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)))

And in second....JJ snags the silver!!

25 posted on 11/23/2014 6:07:24 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska (((~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)))

To: Kathy in Alaska

Beautiful weather for a lovely church service this morning...except:

My Bass amp stopped working (had to plug into the PA($$$$)
My Harley is leaking oil and needs work ($$$$)
And Lynn-Dah has a UTI ($$$$$$$)

(I must be doing something right, otherwise I wouldn’t be under attack!)

26 posted on 11/23/2014 6:07:25 PM PST by left that other site (You shall know the Truth, and The Truth Shall Set You Free.)

To: left that other site

And rounding out the top three....ML bags the bronze!!

27 posted on 11/23/2014 6:14:53 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska (((~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)))

28 posted on 11/23/2014 6:16:52 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska (((~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)))

To: Kathy in Alaska

(((((Takes a Bow))))))

29 posted on 11/23/2014 6:25:30 PM PST by left that other site (You shall know the Truth, and The Truth Shall Set You Free.)

To: Kathy in Alaska; StarCMC

Thanks, Galz, for another interesting story of a true American hero!

The chaplains have to keep all the other troops’ spirits up and faith alive, so they are VERY important!

30 posted on 11/23/2014 6:32:37 PM PST by luvie (All my heroes wear camos! Thank you David, Michael, Chris, Txradioguy, JJ, CMS, & ALL Vets, too!)

Drive carefully and enjoy!!

Thank you, Douglas, for your service to America.

31 posted on 11/23/2014 6:33:58 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska (((~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)))

Good evening, Pro...((HUGS))...ready for your trip to your sisters?

They all moved into their new house?

32 posted on 11/23/2014 6:44:05 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska (((~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)))

To: left that other site

A deserved bow. LOL!

33 posted on 11/23/2014 6:47:13 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska (((~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)))

To: Kathy in Alaska

Any updates on Arrow?

34 posted on 11/23/2014 6:49:28 PM PST by luvie (All my heroes wear camos! Thank you David, Michael, Chris, Txradioguy, JJ, CMS, & ALL Vets, too!)

To: Kathy in Alaska

Freep mail me to be on or off the Daily Bread ping list

Hope In Suffering

November 24, 2014

Read: 1 Peter 1:3-9

In this [living hope] you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials. —1 Peter 1:6

Bible in a Year:
Ezekiel 22-23; 1 Peter 1

When I opened my Bible to read Jeremiah 1 through 4, the subhead ascribed to the book startled me: “Hope in Time of Weeping.” I almost cried. The timing was perfect, as I was walking through a season of weeping over the death of my mom.

I felt much the same way after hearing my pastor’s sermon the day before. The title was “Joy in Suffering,” taken from 1 Peter 1:3-9. He gave us an illustration from his own life: the one-year anniversary of his father’s death. The sermon was meaningful for many, but for me it was a gift from God. These and other events were indications backed up by His Word that God would not leave me alone in my grief.

Even though the way of sorrow is hard, God sends reminders of His enduring presence. To the Israelites expelled from the Promised Land due to disobedience, God made His presence known by sending prophets like Jeremiah to offer them hope—hope for reconciliation through repentance. And to those He leads through times of testing, He shows His presence through a community of believers who “love one another fervently with a pure heart” (1 Peter 1:22). These indications of God’s presence during trials on earth affirm God’s promise of the living hope awaiting us at the resurrection.

Does Jesus care when I’ve said goodbye
To the dearest on earth to me,
And my sad heart aches till it nearly breaks,
Is it aught to Him? Does He see? O yes, He cares! —Graeff

We need never be ashamed of our tears. —Dickens

Insight

The apostle Peter wrote his letters to a church that was enduring persecution for their faith. Though the “various trials” they were experiencing (1 Peter 1:6) may not be the same type of trials we must endure, the source of the strength to endure is the same. We are not alone in our trials, and our endurance in them is not due to our inner strength. It is God Himself who strengthens us to endure. We are kept by the power of God (v.5), so that our faith praises, honors, and glorifies Christ (v.7).

35 posted on 11/23/2014 6:50:10 PM PST by The Mayor (Honesty means never having to look over your shoulder.)

I second what that guy said...I want a do-over!!

Cute, Sand. ((HUGS))

Shopping all done for Thanksgiving dinner?

36 posted on 11/23/2014 6:51:21 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska (((~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)))

To: Kathy in Alaska

Bronze is good, because, like me, it’s got BRASS!

37 posted on 11/23/2014 6:57:25 PM PST by left that other site (You shall know the Truth, and The Truth Shall Set You Free.)

To: Kathy in Alaska

Glad you like that, Kathy...((HUGS))

As far as I know it is...

38 posted on 11/23/2014 6:59:35 PM PST by SandRat (Duty - Honor - Country! What else needs said?)

Good evening, Salvation...lots of good reading in these links.

Thanks for sharing.

Are you ready for Thanksgiving?

39 posted on 11/23/2014 7:08:23 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska (((~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)))

To: ConorMacNessa

TAPS

RIP

SFC Michael A Cathcart, USA
3rd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne)

Amazing Grace

40 posted on 11/23/2014 7:11:53 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska (((~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)))

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794