I saw Fr. Mode's 1996 appearance on EWTN w/Mother Angelica. It interested me because my husband, William H. Finein, who passed last Dec. 20 from throat cancer, graduated from Bishop O'Connell HS in the '60's. I found my way to this website and the article about Fr. Michael Quealy. I believe God lead me to this article, on this day, for a reason unknown to me. I am a RCIA student, so all of this is new to me..not Christianity.. Catholicism. I will pray for Fr. Quealy and you, Fr. Mode and I will not forget November 8 and the journey I took today. God's Grace be with you.

I knew Chaplain Capodanno in Vietnam. I was a "No Preference" on religion so he sought me out a couple of times to find out why I had no preference and to encourage me to try Catholicism. I often saw him striding around the hill and sometimes on operations as I was with C Co. 1st Battalion, 5th Marines and he was our chaplain. I never did go to his mass as we were so worn out by 20 hour days, 7 days a week, I never even knew what day it was. I regret it and know I missed something, but i did chat with him a couple of times. My new baby is in intensive care and stops breathing. I have prayed to Chaplain Capodanno to watch over him .... My baby is doing much better. Thank you Chaplain for looking after my "littlest Marine" as you did your teenaged Marines in our hour of horror.

Ok. I've known the story of Fr. Capodanno for several years, now.

In fact, I first learned of his service from an EWTN video documentary

Thing is.... I would pretty much consider him out of sight, out of mind.

Except, until about 20 mins. ago-

The "idea" of him just popped into my head.

Of course, I went to the internet, and checked the dates; discovering today is the anniversary of his death.

I'm usually not one who's big on divine signs, and I am certainly NOT someone who's remotely fastidious /astute with dates, anniversaries etc.

Yet, this one seems to have had a pervasive effect upon me.

As Richard Dreyfus said in Close Encounters.

"This means something"

The man, thru his selflessness and unassuming example, is truly deserving of the eternal recognition (if not earthly canonization) of sainthood.

And that's not just because he's from New york, and a Fordham Alum, HA!

Otherwise, Let every thought be a prayer . . . .

I served with India Co. 3rd Bn 5th Marines from March 1967 to April 1968. I also fought on operation Swift. Prior to Ops Swift, I had complained to Senior Officers about the lack of spiritual comfort in the jungles, since we were in the bush & jungles on a continuos basis. July 1967 a Chaplain got off a helicopter in a very hostile area of the jungle. He set up a cross on a fallen tree in a small clearing. He held services as gunfire was all around. Chaplain Capodanno lifted my heart and soull with his words and prayers. It has been 44 years, but I will never forget the relief I felt. Chaplain Capodanno did make a difference!

I remember a hot Sunday in 1966 in Chu Lai RVN. I was a member of Delta Company 1st Battilion 5th 1st Mar Div. FMF on Hill 54 north of Chu Lai. I had gone to Dental at 'B' Med. and stayed over the weekend. (Goofed Off) Someone said there was Mass being said in the chow hall. "B" Med had great chow compared to "C" Rats on the hill. I told the guy no thanks I wanted to get some sleep. The guy talked me into going. Turns out it was Padre Capodanno.

"Life is good "

My father, who died in August 2008, was a WWII USAAF combat veteran. He read the "Grunt Padre" and was deeply impressed by Fr. Capodanno's story. As his mind became fogged with Alzheimer's disease he kept asking me "Who was that who was killed?" and I would answer "Father Capodanno" and then tell my dad how Fr. Vincent died. My father would always start swearing (!) and I would assure him that Fr. Capodanno has forgiven the man who killed him. We must have had this exchange a dozen times. A few months before my father died I gave him a Father Capodanno holy card and read the prayer to him. At the words "comfort the wounded and dying on the field of battle" he burst into tears. Although my father was a Presbyterian, I pray that his soul will be aided by Father Capodanno's prayers.

I am a Vietnam veteran who served in country from 1966 until 1971 in various places. I did not know Fr. Capodanno personally but was shocked to hear of his death, told to me by the chaplain at Cam Ranh Bay. I read the account of his death and subsequent coverage of his being awarded the MOH in the Stars and Stripes some months later. I believe that his example and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, brought me to the Catholic church in 1978 and my being relieved of the horrors of PTSD as the years passed. Thanks be to God for heroes like Father Capodanno. I will pray for his elevation to the honors of the altar.

Father Vincent Robert Capodanno ASSEMBLY 3167 in Harrisburg PA is praying for sainthood for Father Capodanno.

I have begun praying to Fr. Vince for the cure of a young woman who is dying of a brain tumor.  She is the mother of a one-and-a-half-year-old-son.

 If any will join me in prayer, I'll be so grateful.  Ever since I heard of Father (on EWTN) I've felt his loving, protective presence.

 God bless you all-

Kathy

Although I was glad the Giants won, I cringed everytime I heard them referred to as heroes. I want my kids to have real heroes so we are learning about Father Capodanno. As I read the guestbook, I am humbled. Thank you, men and women, for your service to our country. God bless you.

My brother served in Viet Nam in Special Forces. He died a few years back and I thought about him today reading and listening to some of the nice things about the Padre and started to cry when I thought maybe my brother hadn't been in Gods good grace at the time of his death. Then felt so ashamed when I looked at the Chaplains face he seemed kinda sternly concerned. Then I remembered my brother saying how God and he were at peace with one another. A peace I haven't heard him talk about much at all, then I looked at the face of the chaplain again and I tell you true he looked like he had a little smile this time as if expressing everything is alright dont worry. My shame left and I felt really good. I hope God uses this missionary mightily still as He did when he was alive. And even more because he is with our Lord now and has a lot more of His attention.

Thanks for this webpage,

Grazias2    

You may call me anytime to speak to about Fr. Vinnie

 Tel#1-781-686-9295

 Address  32 Birch St

          Dedham, Ma 02026

          Joseph R. Consentino

          Master/Sgt of Marines

When I was wounded and my wounds were healing I drove for Father Vinnie for approx 2 months mostly on weekends, we would try to get to outposts by jeep so he could say Mass for his grunts and fellow Marines. I then went back to Tanks and he rode on my tank a few times when we were bringing out ammo or food and water to grunts. He was a funny person and when my mom sent what I called Italian care packages, Fr Vinnie would always get some pepperoni, salami or prealone or some red sweet peppers. Does anyone know that him and a Chaplin Brock would comaderre

a small observation plane and fly over outposts taht he could not reach and throw what we called God Sock packages down (white socks,writing paper, envelopes,chewing gum and a prayer card with other articles I can not remember. What I do remember is when the word came down he was killed and scuttlebut was the VC had cut him up some what. I heard their was some payback? I just know his picture is sitting in front of me with a candle burning so I can look at him at night when I get the shakes or aniexty attacks.

Well enough of this, for the people who never had the honor to meet him you missed one hell of a Man.

My name is Kenneth L Fields. I was a L/Cpl machine gunner with the 1st Platoon of Mike Company 3/5 the day of September 4, 1967. During the night of the 4th, my platoon had been moved back into a company perimeter and at about 2100 hours a group of Marines carrying a body in a poncho stopped to lay the poncho beside my fighting hole. Wondering who the KIA was I opened the poncho to reveal a man laying face up with his head tilted slightly to his right...Thinking it was an officer, I reached for his collar to see what rank and that is when I saw the gold cross. It was a Chaplain. I was struck at how peaceful he looked in death.... During the early morning light myself and 3 other men carried Chaplain Capodanno to an awaiting helicopter. I did not know Chaplain Capodanno personally but did received Communion from him at one time in the field and attended some of his services. One thing I would like to point out. Official Marine Corps history states that the 4 Marine companies were surrounded by between 800-1,500 enemy. Your site states 2,500 enemy. In August of 2004, myself and about 10 other men from Mike Company that were on Operation Swift took a tour back to the knoll battle site. In accompany with us were two 2nd NVA Division Colonels and two 2nd NVA Division Sgt. Majors. One of the Colonels was the operations officer for the 2nd NVA Division and remembered the Swift battle quite well. When asked about the NVA numbers, he said that they were wrong. He said that he had 4,000 troops actively assaulting us with another 6,000 troops in close ready reserve. Only momemts before their (NVA) final assault it was cancelled by their division HQs as they were taking too many casualties. Had they made a final coordinated assault, the likelihood of success would have been almost 100% as we probably could not have held them off considering our spread out positions and lack of ammunition. I was down to only 100 rounds for my machine gun.

I grew up in Mariners Harbor, Staten Island, and attended PS 44 with Vinnie. I was also a member of St. Michaels & St. Clements Parish. I worked with Vinnie at the CYO Summer Day Camp on Staten Island. I left the Minor Seminary at Cathedral College and entered Manhattan College.

I would like to obtain a relic of Father Capadanno to work for the cause of his beatification & eventual cannonization. If any member of Vinnies family recalls the Pandullo family from Mariners Harbor, I would like to be in touch with them.

My husband Captain Vincent J.Venanzi served with Father Vincent Capadono and spoke very highly of him he was very near when Father Capadono was wounded, my husband passed away recently of Bone Cancer, may God Bless bothe of them.

         Catherine L. Venanzi

My son Elijah is being confirmed this year. He read The Grunt Padre and has taken the name Vincent as his confirmation name... Wonder of wonders!  Father Mode instructed me when I was entering the church some 16 years ago. God bless!