Posted on 10/21/2017 5:20:48 PM PDT by marshmallow
He didn’t have to be there, not in that place and at that time. But there he was. He could have been back at the base in Da Nang, waiting for the soldiers to return, and no one would have given it a second thought. But he chose to be with the men.
In actuality, he didn’t even have to be in Vietnam at all. His tour of duty had ended months before, and so he could have been home in America. But he asked for, and was granted, an extension. How could he not be with the young men he had come to know and love as brothers? And, so, when the Marines, his Marines, went into the countryside to seek out and confront the enemy, there was no way he could not be there. They would need him, and he would not let them down. He never did.
He did not carry a weapon, although he could have. Instead, he carried the love of Christ to everyone he encountered. And if all hell broke loose, and men were wounded, he would ignore the bullets and mortars and give first aid and comfort, and, if necessary, he would give them the Last Rites of the Church. For he was a Catholic chaplain, and fifty years ago, he gave his life readily, just as Christ had.
His name was Vincent Capodanno. Born in 1929 on Staten Island, he was one of nine children. For the Capodannos, life revolved around the local Catholic church. It was a time when priests were excellent examples of devotion and manhood, and there was no shortage of vocations. Masses were always well-attended, and during Christmas and Easter, there was standing room only.
When Vincent was in high school, he thought he might.....
(Excerpt) Read more at catholicjournal.us ...
one of my SPECIAL saints. Father Capodanno, pray for us!
Great heroism.
Much like Emil Kapaun.
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