Here's how you know
 **Official websites use .mil** .mil
 **Secure .mil websites use HTTPS** lock () https://


Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 Toggle navigation
            
            
            
            
            National Guard
                        Always Ready Always There
                    National Guard
            
            Search National Guard:
                        Search
                    Search
                        Search National Guard:
                            Search
    Home

    News
    
        Guard News

    Overseas Operations

    State Partnership Program

    News Features

    RSS Feeds

    Press Releases

    Transcripts

    Features
    
        Features by Year

    Posture Statement

    State Partnership Program

    Special Features

    About the Guard
    
        How We Began

    Air National Guard

    Army National Guard    
    
        DEERS Soldier Journey

    Leader Development Program

    History and Heritage

    I am the Guard

    NGB Official March

    Leadership
    
        CNGB

    VCNGB

    SEA

    DANG

    DARNG

    Joint Staff    
    
        J-1

    J-2

    J-3

    J-4

    J-5

    J-6

    J-7

    J-8

    Personal Staff    
    
        Inspector General

    General Counsel    
    
        Special Victims Counsel

    Public Affairs

    Executive Support Services

    Legislative Liaison

    Special Staff    
    
        Office of the Provost Marshal

    Office of the Joint Surgeon

    Director of Acquisitions

    Small Business Programs

    Chaplain

    Senior Leader Management Office

    Diversity Equity Inclusion

    Comptroller

    Resources    
        National Defense Strategy Implementation Guidance

    Community Engagement

    FOIA

    Fact Sheets

    Helpful Links

    Image Gallery
    
        News Images

    Graphics

    Historical Paintings

    Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

    Legislative Liaison

    Small Business Programs

    Social Media

    State Websites

    Videos    
    
        Featured Videos

    On Every Front

    2019 Videos

    2020 Videos

    2021 Videos

    Suicide Prevention

    Family Programs

    Environmental

    Trial Defense Service

    Holistic Wellness Challenge

    Contact Us  Home
  News
  News Features
 
 Download
 Details
 Share
 NEWS
 Guardsmen honor World War II veteran on his 99th birthday By Spc. Marla Ogden
                New York National Guard
 HASTINGS-ON-HUDSON, N.Y. – Wearing a Dodgers baseball cap and a pin that read, “It’s my birthday,” World War II veteran and Purple Heart recipient Joseph Casaburi was greeted by four New York Army National Guard Soldiers on his 99th birthday. Casaburi, who served as a private first class, was saluted by four members of the 53rd Troop Command on Dec. 8 outside Andrus on Hudson Senior Care Community. They wished him a happy birthday and thanked him for his service. Casaburi returned the salute, with tears in his eyes. “You’re all a surprise,” Casaburi said. “I feel so proud and humbled to see these men and women in uniform show up for me ... it’s overwhelming.” Casaburi, known as “Uncle Joey” to his family, served as a member of the United States Army Air Force from 1942 to 1946 and was deployed to Germany on the front lines of World War II. One of the Soldiers who salted Casaburi, Staff Sgt. Jonathan Pietrantoni, assigned to 53rd Troop Command, said he was honored to show his support. “Uncle Joey set the bar, something that we all aspire to,” Pietrantoni said. Pietrantoni was joined by Sgts. Suhkreet Kaur and Sammie Martinez, and Spc. Marla Ogden. The Army was invited by the Casaburi family to celebrate this occasion. “He always said that being in the Army was the best years of his life,” said Cora Roman, Casaburi’s daughter. For his service, he received the Purple Heart, the American Service Medal, the European African Middle Eastern Service Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal. He received the Purple Heart for his service in Germany, where he was struck in the leg by a mortar fragment while on the front lines. Casaburi still has shrapnel in his body. “If you wanted to meet Superman, that’s Uncle Joey,” said Andrew Lawrence, Casaburi’s nephew. “He survived WWII, the Korean War, and survived COVID-19 at 98-years-old and is now turning 99 today.” This year for his birthday, Lawrence wanted to arrange a special surprise for his uncle after having survived his battle with the coronavirus and being away from his family for an extended period. “It’s hard because when you lose family contact and don’t get to experience daily life, you tend to slip a little,” Lawrence said. “So, this surprise will get him through the last of it and keep him fighting until he can come home.” The Soldiers were honored to attend. “It’s inspiring to see him with a smile on his face after having gone through so much,” Kaur said. “It motivates me to stay positive during these times.” “It was a rewarding and fulfilling experience to honor such a remarkable person and Soldier,” said Martinez. Casaburi was not only surprised by the Guard members, but also the Hastings-on-Hudson police and fire department, mayor, and Channel 12 News. “I love this country and our military,” Casaburi said. ..."Let’s end this virus so I can see everyone next year at my 100th birthday.”
 SHARE
 PRINT
 How the National Guard is helping
  Photos of the National Guard response
  Guidance from the CDC
  U.S. response
  White House-CDC response
 New York National Guard
 Purple Heart
 World War II
 COVID-19
 North Carolina Guard Welcomes New Zambian State Partnership State Partnership Program • yesterday
 Vermont Army Guard Soldiers Attend Brazilian Mountain School Overseas Operations • yesterday
 Idaho Air Guard Conducts Panther Shadow Exercise Guard News • yesterday
 Guard Leaders Stress NCOs Role in State Partnership Program State Partnership Program • yesterday
 Massachusetts Guard Helps Host Crisis Leadership Seminar Guard News • 2 days ago
 2024 (33)  2023 (107)  2022 (121)  2021 (119)  2020 (203)  2019 (208)  2018 (165)  2017 (164)  2016 (109)  2015 (52)
 Home
 Site Map
 Privacy & Security Policy
 Link Disclaimer
 Web Policy
 DOD Information Quality
 DOD Open GovernmentFOIA
 No FEAR Act
 Accessibility/Section 508
 Contact Us
 Army Guard Careers
 Air Guard Careers
 USA.gov
                    
Staying Connected
    XYouTubeFlickrFacebookInstagram
                 
                
                

Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil