Fr. Vincent Capodanno, the Grunt Padre - LWVCD
by Lewis Williams OFS
Title
Fr. Vincent Capodanno, the Grunt Padre - LWVCD
Artist
Lewis Williams OFS
Medium
Painting - Drawing, Pastels, Watercolor, Acrylic And Oils
Description
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4:30 am, September 4th, 1967: the Que Son Valley, South Vietnam. Another hot, humid day begins to break. A routine security sweep quickly turns ugly. The dark sky suddenly explodes to life with enemy fire. 2500 North Vietnamese Regulars rapidly engulf the 500 men of D company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines. Nothing about this day will be routine.
Father Vincent, hearing that his beloved “grunts” were in need, moved out with M Company at 10:00am. His 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines did not employ till 4:00pm. The battle raged throughout the endless day. The field littered with men. That was why Father Vincent was there: the men. The fearful and the wounded found comfort in him. In spite of the several, severe injuries he received, Father continued to answer their call. He carried no gun, but did carry Christ. As a “Christ-Bearer”, his stuffed pocket overflowed with medals given to his men as reminders that they, too, carried Christ. Father Vincent guarded these men, his gifts, with his life. Near sunset that day, he left safety to aid a small group of Marines whose position was being overrun. An NVA machine gun blast caught him 27 times in the back. His work was done.
Born to an Italian Catholic immigrant family, his call to religious life found fulfillment with acceptance into Maryknoll and was ordained a priest, June 14th, 1958. The ordination gift from his parents was a silver chalice marked with four symbols of sacrifice: an Indian bending over a fire; a human sacrifice; a priest offering bread; and a lamb bleeding into a chalice. These universal symbols of consecration and reconciliation framed his life and work.
Six and a half years missionary service in Taiwan, and sixteen months tenure as chaplain in Vietnam earned him the respect of the marines and the name, the “Grunt Padre.” The effect he had on the men he served has never ended. This icon honors the priest and the men. Like the chalice of his life, it is offered in hope to consecrate and reconcile their sacrifice.
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March 8th, 2016
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