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2010 Marks the 75th Anniversary of the Catholic War Veterans of America
 
The Department of New York of the Catholic War Veterans of America is proud to be a part of this
organization and prays that God grants us another 75 years of service to God, Country and Home!!!!!
  
 
RIGHT REVERAND MONSIGNOR EDWARD J. HIGGINS, L.L.D.
  
EARLY HISTORY OF THE CATHOLIC WAR VETERANS
(Excerpt taken from the booklet written about the Catholic War Veterans by Sister Mary Matthias, RSM)

Ever since the close of World War I, America had been threatened by the so-called political heresies commonly known today as the "Ism" movement, their purpose to destroy Christianity. Incidentally, up until this time the Catholic Church in America had, strictly speaking, no militant veterans organization made up of men and women who had served their country in time of war. It is true that the Knights of Columbus saw to the needs of Catholic soldiers in camps and behind the battlefield. However, the Knights of Columbus is not a veterans' organization, but rather a lay organization, commissioned by the United States Government to render services to Catholics in the Armed Forces of the United States of America.
   
Our Holy Father, Pius XI, warned the world of the dreadful disaster and danger of the "Ism" movements. In response to this warning, aimed directly at Communism, the Reverend Edward J. Higgins, Pastor of the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Astoria, Long Island, New York, determined not only to heed the Pope's plea, but also to do something about it. Father Higgins, who had served as a commissioned Lieutenant Chaplain in the United States Army, had discovered that Catholic servicemen and women had very little organized voice in national matters that concerned their God, their Country and their Home. He knew that without some sort of organized action, the Catholic Veterans could not, as a specific group, voice their approval or disapproval on any matters of grave importance. Thus, Father Higgins conceived the vital need for an organized Catholic veterans' group. It was due to his priestly guidance, together with the worthy efforts of Past National Commander, John M. Dealy, that the Catholic War Veterans' of the United States was incorporated under the laws of the State of New York on May 19, 1935.
   

In May 1935, Father Higgins journeyed to Rome and while there had a private audience with Pope Pius XI. Father Higgins informed his Holiness of what he had thus far accomplished in organizing and establishing the new veterans' group. He elaborated, too, on his plans and hopes for the future of this organization. Pope Pius XI was pleased with and intensely interested in this new drive for Catholic Action. The Holy Father did not fear for the future of the organization, but, mindful of the Lord's own words.

Richard Dugal - Commander, Department of New York

Reverand Anthony Dell'Anno - Chaplain, Department of New York
 
If you have any photographs or stories about the founding and history of the CWV, please send them to Webmaster Brian Collinsworth at briancollinsworth@hotmail.com so that they can be incorporated into this 75th Anniversary Celebration Page!