Veterans Day is a time of remembrance for Americans, and the archdiocese joins in this observance. Through their military service, veterans make a significant contribution to the freedoms we enjoy in the United States. Alongside that service, those called to the priesthood have a special experience, serving both God and country.<\/p>\n
A number of past and present Archdiocese of New York clergy have served as chaplains, including Cardinal John O\u2019Connor, who served as a Navy chaplain for 27 years, before later becoming Archbishop of New York in 1984.<\/p>\n
For this Veterans Day, The Good Newsroom spoke with members of the Archdiocese of New York or alumni of the archdiocese who have served their country on this Veterans Day.<\/p>\n
Monsignor Joseph P. LaMorte, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of New York, and member of New York Air National Guard for 40 years as chaplain<\/p>\n
\u201cTwenty-five percent of the people you encounter would be Catholic, and that\u2019s not the case in a parish where 100 percent of the people are Catholic. So, 25 percent were in need of spiritual assistance from their own denomination. Most of the men and women in service weren\u2019t really connected with their own parish so this was a good opportunity to sort of bring parish life into their lives,\u201d he told The Good Newsroom in an interview.<\/p>\n
Monsignor LaMorte joined the Air Force Reserves directly after his time in seminary, transitioning from a chaplain candidate to a full chaplain. After his four-decade career with the Air National Guard, Monsignor LaMorte retired in 2012 with the rank of lieutenant colonel, calling it \u201cthe longest thing I ever really did.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pluralism was a concept that was on Monsignor LaMorte\u2019s mind for much of his service, as his role as chaplain had him working closely with many other faith leaders to help serve Air Force personnel.<\/p>\n
\u201cDuring the years I had spent as a chaplain, it was a great opportunity for me to work side by side with Jewish and Protestant chaplains\u2026 I was really introduced to ecumenical and interfaith dialogue hands-on by being partners with the other faith groups.\u201d<\/p>\n
Reverend Monsignor Thomas P. Sandi, administrator of the Historic Holy Trinity Catholic Church, retired pastor, and retired active-duty Air Force chaplain<\/p>\n
\u201cI was for those 24 years given an opportunity to give them balance in their lives when they really needed it. I was very lucky to have been in the service between the end of the Vietnam War and the beginning of the Iraq War. So, we were during a time of peace,\u201d Monsignor Sandi told The Good Newsroom.<\/p>\n
After being ordained in the archdiocese in 1973, he was assigned to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish on Staten Island and served as their pastor for three years. In 1976, he volunteered as an active-duty chaplain in the Air Force. During his 24-year career, Monsignor Sandi served at 12 different locations, both domestically and in Europe. His assignments tookt him to the Pentagon, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Boston College as an Air Force Institute of Technology student.<\/p>\n
In 2000, he was honorably discharged from the Air Force in the rank of lieutenant colonel and returned to the Archdiocese of New York. Now having reached retirement age, he serves as the administrator at Church of the Holy Trinity on the Upper West Side of Manhattan.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think the discipline I learned at the seminary\u2026 gave me the discipline to go into the Air Force. So, one hand helped the other,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Father Peter A. Pomposello, St. Joseph\u2019s Seminary graduate, and active-duty Army garrison priest chaplain at Fort Bragg in North Carolina<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a great privilege to be with soldiers because if you think of the typical American soldier, 18 or 19 years old, and they\u2019re away from home for the first time, and we bring home to them. Their home and church are with us. We want to encourage them to continue their faith; to come to church; and continue to live the sacramental life.\u201d<\/p>\n