Veteran Stories

Vic Cadice, of Jefferson City, Missouri-US, recalls admonishments from his father that included staying out of trouble as not to defame yourself, your country, your family name, and remaining focused on earning a good education.

Vic Cadice, of Jefferson City, recalls admonishments from his father that included staying out of trouble as not to defame yourself, your country, your family name, and remaining focused on earning a good education.

These teachings were the result of his father’s experiences in his native Italy and were highlighted by two brothers serving on separate continents for the same cause during World War I, along with a fascinating immigration story.

Gaspere “Jasper” Cadice was born Dec. 17, 1898, in the historic city of Marsala in western Sicily in Italy. When he was only 10 years old, Jasper’s father traveled to the United States to find employment and earn enough money to bring over his wife and four children.

Born in Sicily in 1898, Jasper Cadice’s immigration to Missouri was delayed with the outbreak of World War I and his service in the Italian (Allied) army. He later met the sister of an Italian grocer in St. Louis, and married and raised three sons. (continue reading)

Stefano Bozzini, an Italian army veteran, serenaded his wife at her hospital window to show his support, despite not being able to visit her due to local coronavirus restrictions.(watch the video)

This story deserved to have a happy ending—but, tragically, it wasn’t to be. Earlier this month, footage of Stefano Bozzini serenading wife Carla from outside a hospital in Italy went viral. Bozzini was filmed playing songs he said told their love story in the courtyard of the hospital in Castel San Giovanni. Carla was discharged after the video melted hearts around but world, but, according to The Guardian, she has now died. Carla was 74 and the couple had been married for 47 years. She spent over a week in the hospital getting tests for cancer—the hospital doesn’t treat COVID patients but visitors aren’t allowed inside in case they bring in the virus, so Stefano comforted her from outside. The husband, who used to be in the Italian army’s mountain infantry, said he had lost his “alpine star.” (read more)

On Nov. 15, 2012, five men sat down for dinner at Ted’s Montana Grill in Crystal City, Virginia. Dressed in shirts and ties, they could’ve easily passed for old friends or business partners, reminiscing on days past. Their friendly conversation gave no hint to the fact that just two decades earlier, three of these men were enemies in the first Gulf War.

It was the first time former Navy pilots Bob Wetzel, 60, and Jeff Zaun, 58, had seen Layth Muneer since the deserts of Iraq in 1991, when their plane was shot down and Muneer, a former major general in the Iraqi Air Force, stopped search parties of Iraqi security forces from killing them.

Muneer brought order to the chaotic capture of Zaun and Wetzel, had them taken away in his personal car, and treated them well, Zaun said. The treatment deteriorated only after the POWs were transferred to Iraq leader Saddam Hussein’s secret police in Baghdad.

About two decades later, the general came to the United States seeking asylum, and with the help of a friend, eventually reconnected with Zaun, who has met him several times – often with Wetzel – to talk about the war that brought them together.

Now, almost another decade later, Muneer, 74, is still in the U.S. and struggling to be granted asylum, let alone get a green card. Wetzel and Zaun are committed to helping their captor-turned-friend become a citizen.

Muneer, whose son now serves in the U.S. Army, “did what he was supposed to do, treating us like POWs,” Zaun said. “I don’t have any animosity. We’re friends now.” (read more)

James Chapman, an army veteran who served during World War II in the South Pacific has just turned 100. During his military service and aftermath, he experienced the trauma, witnessed many tragedies, and went through numerous challenges of life. Continue reading…