WWII spirit of Christmas

As an octogenarian, each Christmas is another bonus holiday, much like my U.S. Navy World War II Christmases of 1943, 1944 and 1945, never knowing whether you would see the next one.

Remembering those Christmases and the few opportunities I had to attend church services, I found that church services can be held anywhere during wartime. One of the most unique services I ever attended was under a big, grass thatched roof pole building in the Philippine Islands.

Growing up Catholic, I always feared confession, because it was a great “mischief deterrent” especially during the Great Depression. Don’t steal, don’t lie, don’t miss church on Sunday. Live a saintly life.

sins forgiven

In March 1945 en route to the April 1945 D-Day Invasion of Okinawa with over 500 U.S. Marines aboard, even confession changed. The Marines had a Catholic chaplain who conducted a Catholic service in our big tank deck. There were well over 100 in attendance and with a wave of the chaplain’s hand, he gave the entire group complete absolution. He forgave all of our sins so we could go to Communion.

I could not have committed many sins, since I had not had liberty in over a year.

I firmly believe my faith pulled me through World War II, Even though I missed many services through no fault of my own. You don’t need a church service to pray, because it can be done in lonely silence, with concentration.

My main exception to that was, when as a member of my three man 20 mm anti-aircraft gun crew, I had to stay focused on the job at hand concentrating on shooting down the Japanese Kamikaze (suicide) planes, not prayers.

Michael J. Lacivita is a Youngstown retiree and a member of the Ohio Senior Citizens Hall of Fame and Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame.