Those who reside at the New Jersey Veterans Memorial Home in Vineland were surprised with two gifts Nov. 13.
Father Matthew Weber and members of the Catholic War Veterans Post 1578 (Immaculate Conception Memorial) presented two framed images: Venerable Emil Kapaun and Servant of God Father Vincent Capodanno. Father Weber, pastor of Holy Cross Parish in Bridgeton and chaplain of Post 1578, also celebrated Mass.
“Fathers Kapaun and Capodanno are the true heroes that we ought to promote today and in the future,” Father Weber said. “Their sacrifices were heroic examples of Gospel love.”
Father Kapaun, ordained in 1940 as a priest of the Diocese of Wichita, Kan., served as a military chaplain during World War II and the Korean War. He became a prisoner-of-war in North Korea, but continued to minister to fellow POWs. He got sick and died in 1951.
Father Capodanno was serving as a Navy chaplain in Vietnam when he was wounded during a North Vietnamese ambush in 1967. He continued to provide medical and spiritual aid to Marines in the middle of the gunfight. He was struck by 27 bullets and died. He was 38.
“In presenting the lithographs to the Vineland Veterans Home, we, as Catholic War Veterans, hope that the examples of these two chaplains may inspire in all veterans pride in their service and a hope that, even in war, love can prevail. Even in the darkest moments, light can still shine,” Father Weber said.
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