Please join me in supporting the request to name a United States Navy vessel after Father Vincent Capodanno, one of the most highly regarded chaplains ever to serve in the United States Armed Forces.

 Known for his compassion, humanitarianism and kindness, Father Capodanno was considered a soldier's chaplain -- he wore fatigues, carried a pack and ministered to the sick and dying on the field of battle.  Never one to fear personal injury when his comforting words, wisdom or simply his presence were in need, Father Capodanno lost his life on the battlefields of Vietnam.  On Monday, September 4, 1967, while comforting a wounded Marine, the enemy fired 27 shots into his back.  In recognition of Father Capodanno's enormous contributions, accomplishments and sacrifice, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, making him only the third Vietnam-era chaplain to receive this honor. More recently, on May 21, 2006, nearly forty years after his death on the battlefield of Vietnam, Capodanno has been publicly declared Servant of God, the first step towards canonization. 

On November 17, 1973 a frigate was named in his honor.  The USS Capodanno (FF 1093) was part of the United States Navy for almost twenty years, before it was decommissioned and subsequently turned over to Turkey.  It is in light of this transfer that I seek to keep Father Capodanno's spirit and memory alive by naming a new Navy destroyer in his honor.  In 2001, I sent a similar letter to the Secretary of the Navy with the signatures of over 100 Members of Congress.

It is a difficult job to comfort those who are dying.  It is truly brave to provide such comfort in the heat of battle and in the face of one's own death.  Yet, it is clear that Father Capodanno undertook this challenge willingly and eagerly. For these reasons it is important to honor his memory and devotion to this nation.

Please join me in supporting this cause, for more information or to sign on please contact C.W. Estoff at 5-3371.

                                                                                    Sincerely,  
                                                                                    VITO FOSSELLA
                                                                                   Member of Congress

Also provided was this sample letter to the Secretary of the Navy:

The Honorable Donald C. Winter
Secretary of the Navy
1000 Navy Pentagon
Washington , DC 20350-1000

Dear Secretary Winter:

We are writing to respectfully request the naming of a United States Navy vessel after Father Vincent Capodanno, one of the most highly regarded chaplains ever to serve in the United States Armed Forces.

Father Capodanno exemplified the best qualities of his family, his hometown, his Church and our Nation.  Father Capodanno, as he was known on Staten Island , was born on February 13, 1929.  He was the youngest child of a proud Italian-American family.  Father Capodanno was not the first soldier his family could be proud of -- all three of his older brothers, James, Albert and Phillip, served during World War II. 

Known for his compassion, humanitarianism and kindness, Father Capodanno was considered a soldier's chaplain -- he wore fatigues, carried a pack and ministered to the sick and dying on the field of battle. On Monday, September 4, 1967, while comforting a wounded Marine, the enemy fired 27 shots into his back.  In recognition of Father Capodanno's enormous contributions, accomplishments and sacrifice, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, making him only the third Vietnam-era chaplain to receive this honor. More recently on May 21, 2006, nearly forty years after his death on the battlefield of Vietnam, Capodanno has been publicly declared Servant of God, the first step towards canonization. 

It is a difficult job to comfort those who are dying.  It is truly brave to provide such comfort in the heat of battle and in the face of one's own death.  Yet, it is clear that Father Capodanno undertook this challenge willingly and eagerly.  His presence on the battlefield reassured those who were healthy.  More importantly, it inspired the wounded to persevere.  Father Capodanno's voice was the last many heard; his face, the last many saw, and his touch the last many felt on this Earth.  Father Capodanno was and remains an inspiration to many.

On November 17, 1973 a frigate was named in his honor.  The USS Capodanno (FF 1093) was part of the United States Navy for almost twenty years, before it was decommissioned and subsequently turned over to Turkey.  It is in light of this transfer that I seek to keep Father Capodanno's spirit and memory alive by naming a new Navy destroyer in his honor.  I hope the timeless lesson taught by Father Capodanno will serve as an inspiration to the men and women of our Armed Forces.  Father Capodanno was a hero to the soldiers he served with and to the people of his hometown, Staten Island , NY.  Father Capodanno exemplifies the highest ideals of the Navy and our Nation. 

Thank you for your attention to this important matter.                                                    

                                                                                                                                                  Sincerely,
                                                                                                                                                  [Your Name here]