October's Veteran of the Month - Mario Politi

Mario Politi grew up in Benson Hurst, Brooklyn, and graduated from High School in 1949.  At the age of 19 he joined the United States Navy and went to boot camp in I Newport, R.I.  Upon Completion of basic training he was assigned to the U.S.S. Tarawa, a CV#40, Essex Class air crafts carrier bloody 1943 Battle.”  In the early 1950s, she was redesignated an attack carrier (CVA) and then an antisubmarine warfare carrier (CVS), and served tours of duty in the Far East during the Korean War.  The ship was 887 feet long, or as Mario says, it was the biggest ship I ever did see, and carried over, 100 aircraft; Corsairs (F4U's) and the AD Douglas Sky raiders, propeller driven planes that were modified to carry a radar man.  That was Mario’s role.  He says that learning to take and land from the deck of a Navy Ship was an experience he would never forget….That big ship looked mighty small from the air.”  After the Korean Peace Armistice was signed (1953), the U.S.S. Tarawa toured the world for another year.  All together Mario served 4 years in the US Navy, 1950 to 54.  Following his discharge from the US Naval Base in Treasure Island, CA, he returned to civilian life and followed my way back to college under the G.I. Bill (Art Center in L.A.) where he studied art and illustration.   He returned to New York and settled in Oakdale, where he has live for 45 years continuing his career as an artist and teacher.  He taught Art at Connetquot and Sayville High School for over 20 years and continues to teach to this day.  He gives private lessons, and holds classes at adult education centers, libraries, assisted living facilities and other venues.  His work continues to be shown at various venues around Long Island and he can often be found selling his work at local art shows.

 

Mario has been a member of VFW Post 433 for close to 20 years,  he is proud of the fact that he is the oldest active member we have, and we are proud to have him as a member.   At 83 years young, he is an inspiration to us all.   Serving as the Post Surgeon, Mario is instrumental in organizing the Post’s  two annual events for hospitalized veterans:  The summer bar is cue which is held in June, and the Holiday dinner, which is held in December.   These dinners are Post 433’s most popular events, every year between 40 and 50 veterans from the VA Hospital in Northport, the State Home in Stony Brook and, most recently, the local assisted living facilities (the Arbors and this year The Bristol), transport the veterans to our Post, where Post members and community members serve them delicious meals, pass out gifts and provide entertainment.  Its’ a great event and we truly appreciate Mario’s help in getting it organized. 

 

Mario also coordinates the Poppy Drive every year, and he is one of our most successful fund raiders, collecting donations that support these events for our local veterans.  In fact, if you think Mario looks familiar, it may be because you’ve seem him walking along Main Street in Sayville during the Memorial Day Parade with his basket of Poppies.   He’s been doing in close to 20 years.

 

Post 433 thanks the Sayville Rotary for recognizing Mario’s contributions to our community by naming him the Sayville Rotary Veteran of the Month.