Military Service Saluted

By Gene Doremus

Walter Will hands Doug Capraro a plaque recognizing his military and community service during the July Patriotic Concert by the Community Singers. All active military and veterans at the concert were thanked for their service. Doug’s wife, Jo-Ann, seated, met Doug at Utica College.

Note: Gene Doremus was the presentor in July during the Community Singers’ annual Patriotic Concert. As part of the evening, Doug Capraro of West Winfield was recognized for his military and community service. This is what Gene said about him that night.

Doug Capraro was born Feb. 25, 1946 in Lackawanna, New York, the very beginning of the Baby Boom generation.

He was placed in Father Baker’s Our Lady of Victory Orphanage in Lackawanna.

When he was six months old, Helen and Tony Capraro of Marcy adopted him.

He attended Whitesboro Central schools and graduated in the Class of 1964, and then off to Utica College graduating with a business degree in 1968.

It was at Utica College he met JoAnn. With a degree in hand, he went to work in the amily business: Valley Tool and Manufacturing.

Doug’s career path seemed set.

But, just two years in, the Vietnam War, the Draft, and Providence intervened.

It was 1970, the war was at its peak, and the birthday lottery system had just started.

Doug’s number was 179.

Doug loved his country and accepted the probability of serving in the military.

But unlike other veterans, Doug was not combat oriented. ...