A Journey From the Bronx to Orangetown to Europe to Orangetown !

In 1943, the US Army took over 2,000+ acres in Orangetown to create the world's largest Port of Embarkation, from which 1.3 million GI's would cross the Atlantic Ocean to fight the nazi army in the world's largest war in history. It was named "Camp Shanks" and was nicknamed "Last Stop USA", because many of the 1.3 million never returned home at all. Many are buried in France.

This short story is about one man named John Crinnian from my childhood hometown, the Bronx, who enlisted in the Army in September 1944. After his basic infantry training, John came to Camp Shanks in Orangetown and then Europe to serve in a light machine gun squad in General George S. Patton's iconic 3rd Army.

Traveling across war-torn Central Europe and the Rhineland under the command of one of the most incredible Generals in all the wars of the world, General George S. Patton had to be unforgettable.

John survived, too many did not. John returned home with a Victory Medal European Theatre of Operations, a Campaign Medal with 2 Battle Stars, the Army of Occupation, the Bronze Star and Combat Infantry Badge. These tell his war story.

Eventually, John became an Orangetown resident for the second time, this time not to cross an ocean to fight, just to drive to Florida to retire.

As one of the Co-Founders of the "Rockland Homes for Homes" Charity, which holds the Deed to the very last parcel of Camp Shanks which awarded to us in keeping with a Federal Law that it could only be used to serve the homeless, I am so proud to be a resident of Orangetown.

I am sure we won the award by declaring that this very historical sacred military parcel of earth would be dedicated to homeless Veterans. Our vision is it being a living memorial to those who did not return home, In 2008, we built 8 affordable supportive apartments on the property, which have set a national example for saving and rebuilding lives. It should also be known how this community has been so very kind, generous and supportive of the formerly homeless Veterans.

Learning that we are only 2-3 months away from starting to add 14 more apartments. John's widow, my close neighbor, Joan, reminded me of how much Camp Shanks meant to veterans like John. He had a private modest pride in going through Camp Shanks as one of the 1.3 million GIs. John handed down his love for America and people who served in its military. This resulted in his Grandson Ryan, becoming a Marine and serving five years in the very dangerous Middle East.

To learn more about the Rockland Homes for Heroes and its current expansion, go to www.rocklandhomesforheroes.org and be sure to see its Donor Wall.