December 2012 • First Call 1

Chris Urban, Commander December 2012 Jack LaPaglia, Membership

First Call!The American Legion Utica Post 229

Utica Post 229 • 409 Herkimer Rd., Utica, NY 13502 • 315.793.9377 • www.uticapost229.org

Post Meetings are first Thursday of the month at 7:30 p.m. (optional dinner at 6:15)

Inside

Commander’s Call 2New Members 299 Year Old Applauded 3 Kids Christmas Party 3Chaplain 3Veterans Day 4WWII Vets at School 6Auxiliary 7

december1 Dinner Dance4 Bingo, 6:30 pm5 Bloodmobile, noon-56 Monthly Dinner, 6:15 Post Meeting, 7:30 pm Auxiliary, 7:30 pm10 Vietnam Vets of Am., 111 Bingo, 6:30 pm15 DAV, noon 28 Bingo, 6:30 pm

The December dinner dance features a Christ-mas buffet, open bar and music by Sonny Farrar on Saturday, Dec. 1.

Social hour gets un-der way at 6 p.m., with dinner at 7. Music and dancing is 8 to midnight. Cost is $22 per person. To make a reservation, contact Chair Rose Co-niglio at 735-9091 or Post 229 at 793-9377.

HONORING THE SACRIFICES OF VETSA crowd of veterans and family members turned out for Veterans Day ceremonies Nov. 11 at monuments around the city. Color Guard units from Post 229, the PLAV and Viet-nam Veterans of America (above) participated. SEE PAGE 4.

Post Honors Firefighter, EMT of Year

JFK STUDENTS HEAR WWII VET, DONATE FOODPost member Phil Capraro spoke of his World War II combat experiences at JFK Middle School, and students donated food for homeless and jobless veterans. SEE PAGE 6 & BACK COVER.

Fire Chief Russell Brooks, left, with Fire-fighter of the Year Joseph Puleo, cen-ter, and EMT of the Year Brian Bova at Post 229 on Nov. 1. SEE PAGE 2.

dinner dance Is Saturday, Dec. 1

First Call • December 20122

Commander’s Call

Chris Urban

for a GREAT 2012, and I’m looking forward to an even better year in 2013, thanks to each and every

A BIG THANK-YOUTO OUR MEMBERS!

I want to thank every member of Utica Post 229

member. Merry Christmas and

Happy New Year. For God and Country...

Welcome aboard to our latest new and transferred members:

Andrew FlorentineDennis BrancomeDavid CozzaThomas J. Riordan IV

Give the Gift of Membership

Quota: 575Paid to date: 429Percentage: 74%

*** Membership is the

lifeblood of the American Legion. Have you renewed yours? Do you have family members in the military? Do they belong? If you’re looking for a special gift for Christmas, why not give the gift of member-ship, or renew someone’s membership dues for 2013. It’s a great way to say, “Thank you for your ser-vice”. For this $35.00 dues payment, they will also get the American Legion magazine every month for a year, which is packed with information for military veterans and their families. So what better way to say “Merry Christ-mas”? Just give us the word and we will send out a spe-cial Christmas card along with their membership card, saying the gift was from you!

We would love to make quota by Dec. 31. Help us achieve our goal by send-ing in your dues now.

Welcome Aboardby jack lapaglia

POST HONORS FIREFIGHTER, EMTA paramedic who was

recognized for valor in re-moving and treating a victim trapped in a house fire, and a firefighter cited for his com-munity service and fire pre-vention efforts were honored by American Legion Post 229 as Emergency Medical Technician of the Year and Firefighter of the Year during ceremonies at the Utica Post Nov. 1. The honorees are:

• EMT of the Year Brian Bova, a firefighter/paramedic who has been with the Utica Fire Department since April 21, 2003. He became a certi-fied paramedic in September 2001, prior to joining the department.

• Firefighter of the Year Jo-seph Puleo, who joined the Fire Department on April 21, 2003. He also became a

certified paramedic in 2004.Utica Post 229 Com-

mander Chris Urban and Law-and-Order Chair Paul Wojcik presented the awards.

“The first criteria (for the awards) is strength, cour-age and bravery on the fire ground,” noted Fire Chief Russel Brooks.

He went on to cite Bova’s “perseverance, dedication and commitment,” and said Bova has received numerous citations and letters com-mending him for bravery and professionalism. For example, when a victim was trapped inside a burning home, Bova “assisted with a quick interior fire attack,” Brooks said. “The victim was removed from the home and then evaluated and treated for smoke inhalation.”

Bova resides in Utica with

his wife and three children.Chief Brooks praised Fire-

fighter Puleo not only for his “hard work and dedication as a firefighter,” but also for his community service and fire prevention efforts.

“Just as important as sup-pression of fire is preventing fires,” Brooks said. “He’s our prevention guy.” The chief gets calls from teachers, principals and parents, rav-ing about Puleo’s work with school children. He also rep-resents the department on a volunteer basis at many com-munity events.

Puleo resides in Deerfield with his wife and three children.

The awards ceremony fol-lowed a dinner attended by Legionnaires, auxiliary mem-bers, and the families of both honorees.

Firefighter Joseph Puleo (3rd from left) and EMT Brian Bova are flanked by District 5 Commander Bill Parks (left), Paul Wojcik, and Post Commander Chris Urban (right).

December 2012 • First Call 3

The Magi brought their priceless giftsThat night of long ago

And laid them by the little KingAsleep in manger low.

And yet their gifts of royal wealthDid pale that holy night

As they gazed upon the Christ ChildGod’s gift of love and light.

God sent His gift of love for allOne of eternal worth,

The most precious gift He had to give;The blessed Savior’s birth.

DECEMBER NOTABLES12/1 1955 Rosa Parks refused to give up

her seat on a bus12/3 1775 The first American flag was

raised aboard the USS Alfred12/7 1941 Pearl Harbor attacked12/8 1941 The US entered WWII12/14 1799 George Washington died12/16 1773 The Boston Tea party occurred12/21 1620 Mayflower pilgrams landed at

Plymouth, Mass.12/25 AD 336 the first recorded Christmas

celebration occurred

Chaplain’scorner

Paul Wojcik

KIDS PARTY DEC. 15, SIGN UP BY DEC. 5Utica Post 229 will host its annual

Children’s Christmas Party from noon to 2 Saturday, Dec. 15, with refresh-ments and a gift from Santa himself for children up to 10 years of age.

A sign-up sheet will be in the post lounge through Dec. 5. Reservations are necesssary so Santa’s helpers will know how many gifts to bring.

The party is free for children and grandchildren of Legion Family mem-bers.

Adults will be asked for a $2 donation for the scholarship fund if they plan to partake in refreshments.

ENTHUSIASTIC RENEWALMembership Chair Jack LaPaglia wanted to share this letter from a long-time

Legionnaire enthusiastic about renewing his membership:

I paid my 2013 dues. In fact, I’m an earlybird. I have been an associated mem-ber of Post 229 since I was 12 years old and a member of the Junior Drum and Bugle Corps.

After WWII I became a member of the post and I was enlisted again for the Korean War. So I’m proud to be a member of Utica Post 229. I was in the ETO (European Theater of Operations) for over a year.

-- Justin R. Belfield (I’m now 96.)

Over 200 members and guests feasted on an Italian buffet at the Early Bird/25th Anniversary Dinner Nov. 16 at the post.

They gave a rousing round of ap-plause when Post Commander Chris

World War II Vet Gets Ovation

Urban (center) announced that, at the age of 99, World War II veteran George Harrer (left) was the oldest member present.

He came with his wife, Virginia, who is 92.

Color Guard Honors3 Deceased Members

The Utica Post 229 Color Guard will be honoring three deceased members -- Ray Sin-noit, John Punzi and Bob Pinto -- during the 2012-2013 season, reports Color Guard Chair Tony Palladino.

First Call • December 20124

One television news report called it the Veterans Day Bus Trip.

But it was a trip to six monuments around Utica on Nov. 11 to remember the sacrifices of veterans.

“As much as Veterans Day is im-portant for honoring the sacrifices of veterans, it’s for families who sacrificed, too,” Utica Post 229 Commander Chris Urban told one TV reporter. He pointed to the “anguish of families” worrying about a loved one in harm’s way. “Every veteran is someone’s son or daughter, mom or dad, neice or nephew.”

Coordindated by Utica Post 229 in partnership with other veterans orga-nizations, the annual observance began with a wreath-laying and prayers at Utica Post. Then veterans and auxiliary members packed the Centro Bus and headed to the Soldiers and Sailors Mon-ument at Oneida Square, where Utica Mayor Robert Palmieri and World War II Bronz Star and Purple Heart recipi-ent Phil Capraro placed the wreath.

Next stop was the Vietnam Veter-ans Memorial on the Parkway, where Gold Star Mother Mary Wheeler and Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter President Tom Buono laid the wreath. Buono spoke in memory of Vietnam War Gold Star Mother Shirley Jones

VETERANS DAY ‘BUS TRIP’Honoring sacrifices of veterans and families

who passed away the previous month and who was a faithful participant in Memorial Day and Veterans Day activi-ties.

A little further up the Parkway was the POW/MIA Memorial. Retired Army Chaplain Col. Gary Howard and retired Chaplain’s Assistant Sgt. 1st Class Timothy Morrell prayed for closure for those still missing, and

representatives from several veterans groups placed the wreath. Later, after the ceremonies, Howard mentioned that the POW/MIA Memorial stood out for him this year. “There are so many unresolved issues,” with “hundreds of thousands of broken hearts that have not been able to receive any closure.”

The group then proceeded by foot a short distance to the World War I/

Post Commander Chris Urban gives interview to YNN TV reporter, recogniz-ing the sacrifices of both veterans and their families.

LEFT: Utica Mayor Robert Palmieri and Legionnaire Phil Capraro at Soldiers and Sail-ors Monument.

RIGHT: Gold Star Mother Mary Wheeler and Post 229 Member/VVA Chapter President Tom Buono at Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

December 2012 • First Call 5

World War II/Korean War Monument, where Post Commander Urban and Aux-iliary President Peggie Kohler laid the wreath.

Back on the bus, the group traveled to Purple Heart Park in West Utica, where Army Veteran Phil Capraro, Marine Corps Veteran Vin Egresits and former Air Force pilot Shirley Eadline from Con-gressman Richard Hanna’s office placed the wreath.

The final stop was at the All Veterans Monument at the main post office on PItcher Street, where County Executive Anthony Picente and Gold Star Mother Mary Wheeler placed the final wreath.

The group returned to Post 229 for lunch and comara-derie. Among the organiza-tions involved in the day were Military Order of the Purple Heart, Vietnam Veterans of American, Disabled Ameri-can Veterans, and Polish Legion of American Veterans (PLAV).

PLAV Auxiliary at the POW/MIA Monument.

Retired Army Chaplain Col. Gary Howard and retired Chaplain’s Assistant Sgt. 1st Class Timothy Morrell at Purple Heart Park.

Vin Egresits, Shirley Eadline and Phil Capraro prepare to lay a wreath at Purple Heart Park.

Mary Wheeler helped placed the wreath at the All Veterans Memorial at the main post office on Pitcher Street.

First Call • December 20126

By BOB STRONACH“Were you scared?” “Oh, God, yes,” Phil Cap-

raro replied to the Honor Society student at John F. Kennedy Middle School. “I was scared all the way” -- from Omaha Beach on D-Day, where he was shot in the leg, to the Siegfried Line, where he was bayoneted in the shoul-der in hand-to-hand combat with German soldiers, to the Battle of the Bulge, where he was literally blown out of his machine gun placement.

“If any soldier tells you he wasn’t scared, something’s wrong with him.”

He showed the 8th grade Honor Society students the three Purple Hearts he received, along with various other decorations, including two Bronze Stars for heroic action. “We got those for capturing Germans.”

Capraro, who fought with the 42nd Infantry Rainbow

WWII VETS VISIT HONOR STUDENTS

Division, was invited to speak to the Honor Society Nov. 13, along with World War II navy veteran Frank Zammiello, who described the nightmare of trying to shoot down a seemingly unending stream of kamikaze aircraft bent on destroying the light cruiser he was serving on.

The students had spent the previous week holding a food drive for needy veterans, and, following the talk by the pair

of WWII vets, they presented Utica Post 229 with 14 boxes jam-packed with non-per-ishables. “They collected 380 items of food,” noted Honor Society Advisor Linda Young.

During his talk, Capraro mentioned he didn’t remem-ber what happened to him at the Battle of the Bulge. All he knew was that the explosion blew off his dog tags and left him unconscious and disori-ented for quite some time. “I

woke up in a Paris hospital,” and, without his dog tags, he was listed as “John Doe.” The army even sent a telegram to his family that he was missing in action.

“Once in awhile I get flash-backs,” he said, with images of mortally wounded bud-dies startling him awake at night. Even though he joined the army at the age of 18 and didn’t finish high school, he told the students: “Your education is one of the most important things you can do in the world. It’s up to you to be your own person… to make your own way in the world… As a favor to yourselves, learn as much as you can.”

Capraro, who said he was “pushing 88,” also showed a picture of himself in his army uniform.

“This is me at 18 years old. Do I look the same?”

“Yeah, you do!” one girl shouted.

Thanks to a food drive by the National Honor Society at John F. Kennedy Middle School, Utica Post 229 donated 14 boxes of non-perishable food to the Central New York Veterans Outreach Center in Utica on Nov. 16.

“The students wanted to help veterans, and we know the Outreach Center works directly with homeless and jobless veter-ans,” noted Utica Post 229 Vice Commander Jim George, who is coordinating a Legion food drive for both the Outreach Center and Community Food Bank.

Phil Capraro chats with Honor Society students Alia Shara-an and Alexis Wadsworth (right) at JFK Middle School.

POST DONATES FOOD TO VETERANS CENTER

Utica Post 229 Vice Commander Jim George (left) delivered 14 boxes of food donated by JFK Middle School students to the Veterans Outreach Center in Utica. Those who helped unload the food into the center’s pantry were, from left, center volunteers Henry Brown and Ronnie Willis, and center staffers Zlatko Musedinovic and Teresa Favo-Schram.

December 2012 • First Call 7

AuxiliaryPeggy Kohler, president

By Rose A. Coniglio

Our membership quota for the 2012-13 year is 202. To date we have 118 paid members paid. We’re 58.91 per-cent of quota.

If you haven’t paid your 2012 dues yet, please do so when paying your 2013 dues.

Dues are now $20. Make checks out to American Legion Auxil-iary Unit 229 and send to:

Rose A. Coniglio607 Jay St., Apt. C2Utica, NY 13501

Membership:time to renew

Chaplain’scorner

Marie Dodge

Don’t Let Go of Hope

Hope gives you the strength to keep going when you feel like giving up. Don’t ever quit believing in yourself.As long as you believe you can, you

will have a reason for trying. Don’t let anyone hold your happiness intheir hands; hold it in your own, so it

will always be within your reach. Don’t measure success or failure by

material wealth, but by how you feel. Our feelings

determine the riches in our lives. Don’t let bad moments overcome you.

Be patient, and they will pass. Don’t hesitate to reach out for help; we

all need it from time to time. Don’t run away from Love, but towards

love; because it is our deepest joy. Don’t wait for what you want to come to you.Go after it with all that you are; knowing

that life will meet you half way. Don’t feel like you’ve lost when plans and

dreams fall short of your hopes. Anytime you learn something new aboutyourself, or about life, you have progressed. Don’t do anything that takes away fromself-respect. Feeling good about yourself

is essential to feeling good about life. Don’t ever forget how to laugh or be tooproud to cry. It is by doing both that we

live life to the fullest.

Author Unknown

President’s MessagePeggie Kohler

Dear Auxiliary Members,

It was nice seeing everyone at the Early Bird dinner.

Iwant to thank everyone for their help getting things together for Veterans Day.

Please don’t forget all our veterans this Holiday Sea-son.

Ladies don’t forget goodies for meeting night.

Yours in service...

POST HOLDSFOOD DRIVE

Post 229 is having a food drive for the Utica Community Food Bank and Veterans Outreach Center during Decem-ber.

“Please bring your canned and non-perish-able goods to the post,” noted Vice Commander Jim George.

Auxiliary Makes Memorial Donation

Auxiliary Unit 229 gave a donation of $100 to the Montgomery Experience in memory of Jimmy Aney, grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Jim Hag-gerty and beloved son of Celeste Aney.

-- Theresa Jensen

VETERANS DAY SALUTES

First Call • December 20128

Utica Post #229The American Legion

409 Herkimer Rd.Utica, NY 13502

First Call is a monthly publication of Utica Post 229 American Legion,

409 Herkimer Rd., Utica, NY 13502, whose mission is to serve veterans, members and local communities.

Yearly membership includes First Call, published 10 times a year.

Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage

-PAID-Utica, NY

Permit No. 566

Since its founding in Paris in 1919, The American Legion has been an advocate for America’s veterans, a friend of the U.S. military, a sponsor of community-based programs for young people and a spokesman for patriotic values.

Editor: Robert Stronach. Send news, announcements and photos to FirstCall@uticapost229.org.

JFK MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS DONATE FOOD FOR VETS

Eighth Grade National Honor Society students at JFK Middle School gather around 14 boxes of food they donated to Post 229 for homeless and jobless veterans. In front are: Alia Sharaan and April Soe. In the rear, from left, are: Yenthanh Le, Jude Andrews, Dominique Bebibino, Laylay Mar, Eneliza Retamar, Alexis Wadsworth, Chloe Ross and Reem Nagi.