BRICK – The life, times and World War II career of township resident Angelo Sciacca, who passed away at age 100, will always be remembered.
In addition to his military service in WWII, Sciacca had a unique relationship with the Army Reserve’s 99th Readiness Division, which oversees all logistics, facilities, and administration throughout the entire northeastern United States, headquartered at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst.
As the most senior veteran, he was part of the 99th Readiness Division family, his positive influence always celebrated as he often attended their ceremonies and events, including the U.S. Army’s 250th Birthday celebration in Philadelphia, having the honor of cutting the cake.
Sciacca said during an Oct. 16, 2024, historical interview with the command historian of the U.S. Army Reserve’s 99th Readiness Division, “I can’t complain; my life was good.”
Following that interview, he visited soldiers of the 99th at division headquarters at the Joint Base where he shared stories about his time in the Army and his life following military service.
“The Army is the best thing this country needs,” Sciacca said during his visit. “Thank you for doing what you’re doing.”
He captivated the audience, who were grateful for Sciacca’s time and presence, but were even more amazed with his recollection of his 100-year journey of life.
Sciacca was drafted into the U.S. Army as an engineer during World War II and he completed his basic training at Fort Dix, then shipped out to le Shima, Japan.
Before departing the division’s headquarters, the WWII veteran was dubbed an honorary “Checkmate” team member.
“He was more than that – he is a brother,” said Lt. Col. Chris Carbone, who serves as the staff operations and training specialist as a civilian for the Division.
“My husband refused to have Angelo’s remains brought to the funeral home without soldiers bringing him,” Janine Carbone, wife of Lt. Col. Carbone and friend of Sciacca noted.
Lt. Col. Carbone was adamant in honoring his brother-in-arms and took it upon himself to coordinate a dignified transfer of remains and took the lead in coordinating full military honors for Sciacca’s funeral with soldiers from the division and Fort Dix NCO Academy.
“I just can’t find the words, Angelo was a link to our past, a member of the greatest generation, and my hero,” Carbone added.
“It was his generation that answered the call of duty, shaping the world we live in today,” shared Pat Vazquez on Sciacca’s virtual tribute wall online. Sciacca proudly served, helping build and maintain airfields in the Pacific and when he returned home, he wasted no time getting back to the grind.
“I was home for one week before I returned to my job at Van Vaanderan,” Sciacca said during the historical interview. “It was important to me because it was important to my mom and dad.”
Vazquez added that when Sciacca returned to work as a machinist, he rose to the position of plant manager, and retired in 1962. “He embodied the best of the American spirit: hard work, resilience, and compassion.”
Carbone remarked, “I know his platoon was waiting at the Final Muster, completing their ranks again and he’s finally reunited with his sweetheart, Ann, and that makes me smile.”
Sciacca passed away last month and is survived by his son, Mark, and remembered by family and friends as a “spiritual patriarch who embraced an extraordinary positive outlook on life” according to his obituary.
“Until we meet again, your mission is complete, soldier,” Carbone added.
The 99th Readiness Division is responsible to more than 51,000 Army Reserve Soldiers in more than 550 units at 332 reserve-component facilities and 33 maintenance facilities in Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, Vermont, Rhode Island and the District of Columbia.
