In the Forte home, Veteran’s Day isn’t celebrated just once a year ? it’s an everyday event.
That’s because there’s a special room on the second floor of their East St. home dedicated to numerous family members who’ve served in the United States Navy ? 10, to be exact.
John joined the navy at the young age of 17 and served during the Vietnam War. His father, George Forte, served during World War II.
Mary’s father, Floyd Sczepanski served in the Coast Guard under a division of the navy during World War II, as well as his two brothers; and her grandfather, Anslem Mitchell, served during World War I. She also had two cousins in the navy, one of whom died from wounds he received fighting in Vietnam.
The Fortes also have two nieces in the navy, one who is an intelligence officer for the reserves and one who is currently attending the United States Naval Academy.
Ironically, the Fortes daughter, Angela Ball, was called by a recruiting officer for the army her senior year in high school. Needless to say, she didn’t join.
Mary said she began to create the Navy Veteran’s Room nine years ago to ‘honor my husband.?
‘He likes us to remember the day he got out of the service and likes to be honored on Veteran’s Day,? she said. ‘It’s important to him that he served his country and that he willingly did that.?
Painted in blue, the cozy room, which also doubles as a guest room, is filled with numerous pieces of history.
On a wall shelf hangs a cream-colored duffel bag that belonged to Mary’s father. Using a black pen, he would write out everywhere he traveled to on his tour of duty.
Alongside the old, faded photos of family members in uniform hang certificates of discharge, a 60s era navy recruiting poster and a neatly folded American flag, given to the Fortes after the death of John’s father, sits on the bed.
One might say the main focal point in the room is the glass-framed display holding John’s original navy uniform top, which was given to him as a gift by his daughter.
A look back
When John looks at the recruiting poster hanging in the Navy Veteran’s Room, he remembers why he wanted to join the service.
It seemed only natural for him to join. It was his ‘duty.?
‘It was interesting because everybody that I knew, as far as adults, had served in World War II. So, if you were to meet any man who hadn’t served in (the war), he would’ve been an oddity,? he said.
After attending boot camp in 1966, John was assigned to the USS Galveston and was deployed in 1967 to the Mediterranean Sea to keep the threat of the Soviet Union at bay.
When the Vietnam War began, he was deployed to Vietnam on the destroyer ship Alfred A. Cunningham and had the job of ‘searching the sky for incoming missiles, rescuing downed pilots and providing naval gunfire support.?
For the most part, John enjoyed his four years of service in the navy, saying ‘it was a good experience for me.? The only part he didn’t enjoy was getting a ‘cold, seawater wake up call.?
‘The destroyer was 30 years old and my bed was under the rear hatch…so every time the fantail went under, water would pour down on me,? he said.
After his service to the navy was over, John received two Vietnam service medals, one national defense medal and a certificate of recognition for service during the Cold War, signed by Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld.
Because being on the ship ‘is like a floating home,? John still keeps in touch with those ‘family members? who also served on Cunningham through the Association of Tin Can Sailors website
A different war, a different time
Mary’s father, Floyd, on the other hand, was part of a war that remains one of the most significant wars in history.
Her father’s tour of duty during World War II was cut short due to temporarily losing his eyesight.
‘At the time, they had offered him the Purple Heart and he said ‘no,?? Mary said.
But a few years ago, Floyd, who is now 84, decided to write Congress and was able to get the medals, which also included a Silver Star, he deserved.
At the time of the war, Floyd was also serving alongside two of his brothers. One, named Bernie, was on a ship that took prisoners of war.
When all the prisoners were released, Bernie came upon a journal and photo album of a Japanese man who was captured on his ship.
Fifty years later, he found a woman at a local college who was traveling to Japan and was able to find the gentlemen who had lost his belongings.
‘When he got the book back he bowed down to the ground and just sobbed,? Mary recalled. ‘He came over to Midland (Michigan) and personally thanked my uncle for saving the book all those years.?
Thank you, Mr. Soldier
Whenever Mary’s father’s out in public, she said it’s not uncommon to hear teenagers, men and women thank him for serving his country.
‘My dad’s hat says ‘World War II Veteran,? so almost every time he goes out, people thank him,? she said.
The respect citizens show veterans is what makes John and his father-in-law proud to have served.
‘It is such an awesome thing to offer to give your life for your country and for freedom,? John said.