| The archives of the Guest Book from the old father-capodanno.org site. 2005 Capodanno GuestbookDennis Stephen McKeon Staten Island, New York 7/7/2005 His heroism is something that will be remembered always. Those of us who served in country can only wish we had the strength he displayed to his fellow "grunts". Steve Lovejoy Modesto, Ca 7/4/2005 I received a Letter from "Catholics in the Military" I was reminded of the quest to have Father Capodanno presented for Sainthood, of which I wholeheartedly agree!! He saved my life!! 4 Sep. 1967, Operation Swift. I was one of several that the "Grunt Padre" rescued. I can't help financially but if my testimony will help even in a small way, let me know. Vinnie B Hanson, MA 6/21/2005 Have never realized that a Navy Chaplain received the Medal of Honor... He is a true Hero! Semper Fi..Vinnie B. Karen Rodriguez Houston, TX 6/1/2005 Wow…What a soldier for Christ... Thanks for sharing his story. Peace and Love in Christ, Karen Mary A. Benson Groton, Ct 5/31/2005 I thoroughly enjoyed the movie on EWTN about Father Capodanno. I plan on buying the book by Father Mode. I'll be praying for sainthood for Father Capodanno. God Bless all of you connected to this web site. God Bless Father Mode and his new assignment. May he be safe. My prayers are with him. Mary Benson Steve Greiwe West Harrison, IN 5/25/2005 Father, I heard your story on the radio. Reverend Capodanno was fine follower of Christ- a true image of God. Is there a possibility that he could be canonized as a saint? I did not get to here the whole show, so maybe that is what you were speaking about? I do have one more question; my father was a WWII Vet. He was one of nine survivors of a battle ship. How and where did you get the information from the military about these men? You have done fine work here! God's Peace, Cassidy Kaduna, Kaduna 5/19/2005 I'm impressed with what 'ur doing. Keep up the good work. Carl DiMaria Belleville, IL 5/16/2005 No Greater Love... We have tried to honor Fr. Vincent on our Marine Corps League web site at http://www.cdimaria.com/chaplain_moh.htm May he rest in eternal peace! Deacon John M. Bresnahan Lynn, Ma. 5/10/2005 My son is in the military (U.S. Army 3rd Infantry Regiment) and the Father Capodanno story will make a perfect sermon for Mass the Sunday before Memorial Day. Renella St Martinsville, LA 5/1/2005 A wonderful site, very inspirational...It was sent to me by a friend I met online...I can’t thank him enough....I recommend this site. What a true hero and saint- I am sure he is. May God bless us all! My husband is a veteran of the first Gulf War and retired with 22 years of service, Army National Guard, 256th Birgard out of LaFayette, LA. I showed him this site and mist came to this strong soldier’s eyes. Thank you again, Ray. I hope to talk to you soon. Always your friend, Renee Vic "Doc" Perez Juneau, Alaska 4/25/2005 As a Navy Corpsman I served with the Padre and considered him a friend. I was due to rotate out of Vietnam when the word came down that he was killed in action. They were anxious to get me out of the field and on my way home in one piece, so they gave me the Padre's medical and dental records to locate him and identify him at Danang where all the KIA's were being sent. They also sent my replacement with me and told me to do the best that I could and to keep going until I was safely home. Operation Swift took a terrible toll, and I was unable to locate the Padre before I left. The rest of the story is for the family to tell. I lost my original St. Christopher's medal that the Padre had given me in the field, and it was later replaced by the family. I was asked to write a letter to the brother and it can be viewed if you go to Google.com and type in Vic "Doc" Perez. I wear the St. Christopher medal around my neck and it will be there till the day I die, that way I keep the Padre and my friend alive in my heart, always! David Erbstoesser Bismarck, ND 4/25/2005 As a Army Veteran of 3 years with 13 months in Korea I had the privilege of tracing all the MOH Recipients from the Vietnam Wall in DC And of course one was Vincent R Capodanno. Phillip Paulino Hilo, HI 4/10/2005 The Marines I served with in Nam hold Fr. Capodanno's name with the highest honor. When others argue whether humans are capable of the highest form of altruism I will remember the padre. Proud to have his name on Hawaii's casualty list! Barry T Borton Bartonsville, PA 4/5/2005 I found this site while searching the web and realized that here was a man who epitomized what being a servant of Christ was all about. I was inspired by his story and his life Thank you Gerri Rajski Addison, IL 3/28/2005 I just finished reading the Grunt Padre and I am inspired by Father Vincent's life. Howard A. Kalish New York City, New York 3/23/2005 I am not a Roman Catholic but I heard about the heroic story of Father Vincent Robert Capodanno, Maryknoll Missioner many years ago when I made a visit to the Maryknoll headquarters at Maryknoll, New York. I am, as was Father Capodanno, a native New Yorker and a native of New York City also. He was raised in Staten Island and I was raised in Washington Heights in upper Manhattan, just south of the New York gateway to the George Washington Bridge and a walk of a mile or two straight up Fort Washington Avenue from the Mother Cabrini School and Shrine. Father Capodanno and Father Damien DeVeuster, the Sacred Hearts priest who missioned to the lepers on Molokai and eventually contracted Hansen's disease (leprosy) and lost his life as a result, are both models to me of heroic and saintly service to their God and to their brothers and sisters created in the image of God. May I be so blessed and fortunate to serve others in whatever endeavors I undertake with some portion of the charity and compassion these two men, Father Capodanno and Father DeVeuster. Mark J. McGrath Tampa, FL 3/23/2005 Mel Gibson should make a movie about this holy priest. This story is too important not to be told. The world needs to see Fr. Capodanno's example, and understand that this is what Catholic priests are supposed to be. Dick Smith Westerly, Rhode Island 3/21/2005 Back on 2 October 2000, RAY HARTON, who was the last Marine to receive the Last Rites from Father Capodanno who served with 5th Marines. Ray made a post to my friend on his Vietnam site, 1st Lt. Carl William Myllymaki, CO of Echo Company,3rd Recon, 3rd Marine Div who was killed in Quaint Tri Province on 2 Oct 68. He also mentioned Father Capodanno in his post to my friend. I went out and had to read, The Grunt Padre. I was moved by the book and told Lt. Myllymaki's mother of the book. She read it and passed it on to her family. We have intentions of visiting the Newport War College which dedicated the Catholic Chapel there in Father Capodanno's memory. I have read all the posts in Fathers memory. The crew members who served on his ship had to be honored. To my knowledge it is the only Navy Ship every blessed by the Pope. Father Capodanno should be canonized along with many other Maryknolls. They sacrifice so much, reading the posts from Nigeria, other Maryknolls are passing on Father Capodanno's devotion to his Marines. Antonia J. Boyd Steubenville, Ohio 3/20/2005 Fr. Capodanno please intercede for us! Father William Keebler Penfield, Illinois 3/19/2005 Without question, Father Vincent is a Saint. His total self-giving in union with Christ's Cross will some day result in his canonization. May that day soon arrive! Alan Russo Lowellville, Ohio 3/14/2005 Although I never had the honor to serve in the military, I have always respected those that did. Father Capodanno was a great Christian and soldier. He is an inspiration to me as a man and a Catholic. He truly is a Saint in my book and I hope that he will be canonized before too long; all Christians need to hear his story. As a councilman in the small village where I live, I hope to have an opportunity to address a group of Veterans and citizens during our annual Memorial Day services and I intend to let all those there in attendance know of Father Capodanno, a priest, a hero, a Marine and a man. No greater love.... Kathleen Fitzgerald 3/13/2005 In 1969 I was fortunate to receive the Vincent R. Capodanno Memorial Merit Scholarship which helped greatly in my college education. Thank you. My father John L. Fitzgerald had been with the 1st Marine Division in 1st AmTrac Battalion from February 1944 to November 1945, and later served in Korea. Albert Romero SAN DIEGO, CA 3/10/2005 Hello. Talk about a true man of Christ Jesus. This is what I am talking about. I was moved by his love for the Marines. Wow. If there is a priest to emulate, this is the one. Letitia Drummond Cincinnati, Ohio 3/10/2005 What a godly man! The book "The Grunt Padre" should be must reading for all seminarian students. Father Capodanno is an example of a true priest-a true man of God. Laurie Nolan 3/5/2005 I have prayed daily to Fr. Vincent for my Marine son for almost eight years. I truly believe he guided and protected him during his tours of duty in Afghanistan. I am so ever grateful that he is now back safely in the states with just minor injuries. Fr. Vincent is a great intercessor and I have recommended him to mother's of those serving overseas. Thank you, Fr. Vincent! Vicki Everman Iowa Falls, Iowa 3/4/2005 I found Father Capodanno on my brother's memorial, and never knew who my brother's chaplain was till then. He was killed 1 month after my brother Cpl. Ronald E. Johnson was killed in 1967. I have a face now and feel comforted to know the man that gave my brother Last Rites. Thank you Father. Michael Boxer Staten Island, New York 2/23/2005 As Jr. Vice Commander for Father Vincent Capodanno Chapter 1101 Military Order of the Purple Heart it is great to see all the people posting here with such wonderful words. We as members of Father Vincent Chapter 1101 are fortunate to belong to this great chapter named after Father Vincent. He lives with all of us. Frank Clark Pensacola, FL 2/23/2005 I served with M Co, 3rd Bn, 5th Mar. Regt. in Vietnam and had the GREAT honor of knowing Father Capodanno, Though not very well as I am Protestant. I do know that he was one of, if not the, bravest and caring men I have ever known. Michael Murray Canton, MI 2/21/2005 Hello: I was given Grunt Padre for Christmas by my best friend. I spent 8 years on Active Duty in the Marine Corps and was recently recalled to active duty for a year. I am a product of 12 years of Catholic schools and a first generation American. I could not put the book down and have found it to be one of the most religious experiences of my life. For whatever reason, I find myself thinking about Fr. Capodanno on a daily basis as I attempt to be a better father, husband, son, brother, and friend to those I come in contact with. I wish I had the privilege and honor of knowing Fr. Capodanno when he as alive but I am blessed to know his story and will share it with others in hopes that they too will learn from his example. Semper Fi and God Bless. Joanne Capodanno Queen Creek, AZ 2/16/2005 Thank you so much for the beautiful page dedicated to my uncle. I still recall going to Washington with Uncle Vin's extended family of about 100+ to witness the posthumous award. I am so touched by the other guests and their comments-My father Albert, Vin's brother is no longer with us, but my brothers John Capodanno, Thomas Capodanno, Vincent Capodanno and Robert Capodanno would be delighted at the tribute. My mother, Kathleen Manning Capodanno was close to her Brother-In-Law and I am sure will have a story or two to tell about our hero, who was, in life, a very down-to-earth, fun-loving human being. Thanks to all. I will let the rest of my family know about this effort. Regards, Joanne Jim McGunnigle Hicksville, New York 2/14/2005 There is a beautiful bronze statue of Father Capodanno kneeling and praying over fallen Marine. If anyone would like I can e-mail you some pictures of the memorial. God Bless Him and all our brothers and sisters Jim McGunnigle USMC RVN 67-70 F2/5 and H2/ Daniel Morgan San Diego, CA. 2/9/2005 I served onboard the U.S.S. Capodanno. It was a ship that was truly blessed. We all felt it. True and lasting friendships were formed, along with many happy and blessed times. I hope we all served to the best of our abilities and made him proud. Bruce Ramseyer Sidney,IL 2/4/2005 I was reading the Grunt Padre book and am now looking for the USMC video mentioned in it: "For Thou Art With Me". Any ideas? Thanks! :) Big Mike Martinick Papillion, NE 1/26/2005 I am A strong Catholic AND Father of 2 so far and a MARINE. ONCE A MARINE ALLWAYS A MARINE 10 years of it. I pray to make everyone know about him. And I pray to make him a Saint. Let me know if there is anything I can do for this cause. Big Mike Mark Ronan Denville, NJ 1/18/2005 I am almost finished with "Grunt Padre". An inspiring book that gives me hope as my nephew prepares for combat duty in Iraq. Keep him in your prayers as I will pray for the soul (and intercession) of Fr. Capodanno. Cindy Chambers Cleburne, Tx 1/12/2005 What a Wonderful, selfless man this Chaplain was. May God always Bless his soul, and those who died beside him. Steven Johnson Edina, Mn 1/8/2005 Reading Father Vince's story reminded me of Army Chaplain Father Fuller whom I met at Ft. Knox, Ky while having a medical review board. What an inspiration the Catholic Chaplains are for our military. I'll pray for Father Capodanno's intercession and recommend his story to all. |
|
|