TEMPERANCE — Though the Catholic War Veterans Harold J. Johnson Post 1958 formally meets only once a month, these men’s dedicated service to the community goes far beyond monthly gatherings.

Ken Tomczak, commander of the post that meets at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Temperance, recently participated in his 50th military funeral of the year Sept. 6.

His devoted presence at military funerals is an example of what the Catholic War Veterans of the United States of America, Inc., (CWV) is all about.

“We don’t talk about what we did, but what we can do,” said Tomczak, 78, who was recently elected commander of the CWV Post 1958 for the fifth year in a row. He is also active in the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW).

The Catholic War Veterans of the United States of America, Inc., was founded May 19, 1935, by Msgr. Edward J. Higgins, with permission from Bishop Thomas E. Molloy of the Diocese of Brooklyn, N.Y., for his parishioners who had served in World War I. A Catholic War Veterans Auxiliary was also formed and received its charter that December.

The first post was named Astoria Post #1, and in July 1940 the CWV was officially recognized as a veterans organization by the United States Veterans Administration.

President Ronald Regan granted the CWV a congressional charter on Aug. 17, 1984; they were the 59th group to receive a federal charter.

Tomczak said at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, most, if not all, of the CWV members also belong to the Knights of Columbus.

“We’ve got a good parish and all the Knights and the Catholic War Veterans work together,” said Tomczak, who founded the only Monroe County CWV post in 2010. “That’s why we’re successful.”

Douglas Scavio, chaplain for the post — which means he leads prayer before and after the monthly meetings — explained that the CWV sponsor a special pot roast dinner annually, benefitting the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System.

“The money goes right to the veterans,” he explained.

Scavio said the majority of Post 1958 members are within the ages of 55 to 80. Presently, the post has about 25 members, being a “relatively new post.”

“I joined the Catholic War Veterans about a year after it was formed,” explained Scavio, who turned 65 on Sept. 11.

Scavio is also deputy grand knight of Our Lady of Mount Carmel’s Local Council 8902 Knights of Columbus. He said it can be difficult to get people to join the different organizations — “(but) I don’t mind; I’m retired” — though those involved are quite active.

He also holds the position of Post 1958’s judge advocate, making sure the organization’s guidelines are always followed.

An activity unique to the CWV is bringing American flags and flowers to graves of veterans at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Resurrection Cemetery. Because it is a private cemetery, the items do not have to be removed from the graves at a certain point; the CWV members make visits to be sure everything looks neat and fresh.

The Catholic War Veterans also put on military funerals, such as the one Tomczak just helped arrange. He said doing this is crucial, and CWV members attend when they can.

“You need 17-18 guys to put it on the right way,” he said. “You have all five flags — the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard — plus the American flag and post colors. You have seven riflemen, three volleys, a bugle, a chaplain and two flag holders.”

It takes quite a few to put it on, he admitted, and expressed a welcome to any and all Catholic veterans, of any age, to consider joining.

“We’re not big, but we’re very charitable,” he said.

 

Help veterans

Join the CWV’s Post 1958 for an Oct. 17 pot roast dinner at Our Lady of Mount Carmel’s parish hall from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. All proceeds to benefit needy and disabled veterans. Adults ages 13-65: $10; seniors ages 65+: $8; children ages 12 or younger: $5. Additional donations gladly accepted. Contact Ken Tomczak for more information.

 

Catholic War Veterans

• To join, a man must be an American citizen, practicing Catholic, and have served at least 90 days of active duty or less than 90 days due to a disability incurred in the line of duty, and possess an honorable discharge and/or be currently on active duty. This includes the U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Air Force (including reserve and National Guard) and the Merchant Marine. Merchant Marine service must have been during the period of Dec. 7, 1941, to Dec. 3, 1946.


• Our Lady of Mount Carmel’s Harold J. Johnson Post 1958 in Temperance is open to all men who are in these categories. For more information, contact Post commander Ken Tomczak at (734) 854-2561. This Post meets at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, 8330 Lewis Ave., Temperance, MI, 48182, on the fourth Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. in Room 3.