As part of the We Honor Veteran Program, our VNA and hospice volunteers arrived at the residential facility of Mark Cosmedy, to honor and recognize this 99 year old World War ll Navy veteran. They quickly became aware of his warm and engaging personality. After introductions were made, he shared a quote by Will Rogers which he clearly lived by: A stranger is just a friend I haven’t met yet. He was thrilled to learn we were able to include two of his sons, Buddy and Rich on Facetime during his interview.
When asked About his military service, Mark tells us that it had a lot to do with his own father’s example. He speaks of his father voluntarily joining the United States Army shortly after immigrating from Greece to fight in honor of his new country during World War 1. ln turn, Mark’s parents were proud of him. They supported his decision to enlist in the Navy under the rank of seaman at the age of 17 and join his countrymen during World War 2. At that time his father’s commitment to patriotism was further exemplified when he left his job to support the war effort to work in a defense plant facility.
During the two years that Mark served in the Navy, he was stationed on the USS Sherburne when it was primarily based in Okinawa. Some of this ship’s responsibilities included troop and cargo transport.
We asked him if he had any specific wartime experiences he would tike to share with us. He tells us he was asked that same question some years back when his pastor invited him to talkin front of a group of people interested in hearing about his service. He realized at that time that what he prefers to talk about was all, the emotions and feelings he encountered at the end of the war. He has vivid memories of entering San Francisco Harbor upon returning from Okinawa with his fellow surviving countrymen. The joy, gratitude and warmth of the people as they tined up along the Golden Gate bridge and filled the bay with small boats and greeted and welcomed home those that stood for their country. He remembers the stillness and reverence as every member on deck stood in salute before disembarking from the USS Sherburne one last time.
Following the end of the war, he returned to New York City where he was able to apply his skills learned in the Navy and began working in a boat yard. He was working there during the famous incident in 1956 when the Italian luxury liner the SS Andrea Doria was accidently struck by the MS Stockholm during a heavy fog off Nantucket, MA. Tragically the Andrea Doria sunk with loss of life, but the Stockholm returned to NYC and Mark was on the crew who repaired the vessel. before being returned to commercial service.
During his interview, a dear friend of 15 years stopped by unexpectedly. Mark was delighted and exclaimed, “l didn’t know we were having a party today!” His friend reminded Mark of additional, highlights in his life to include winning pool tournaments in the Navy, being a professional softball player in NYC, being an accomplished classical guitar player and that he started his own 2 record company once he stopped working in the boat yard. He can be credited with promoting the song “Eres Tu” when it was performed by the singing group, Mocedades, and rose to the top of the billboard charts during the 70s.
Mark further describes a full Life which includes being married to his dear late wife for 65 years and raising 5 children together. His legacy continues with 14 grandchildren and I great grandchildren. He shares that his time spent in the Navy was a profound experience which he carried with him for the rest of his Life.
At the conclusion of our interview with Mark Cosmedy, we realized that he had lived up to the quote by Will Rogers that he initially shared with us. We felt Like we were no longer strangers, and we were the ones who were honored to meet him and gratified to be able to listen to his life stories.
