The Cappetta family of Spencerport has been involved in the military since 1940. Sal (Salvatore) Cappetta, a disabled American Veteran who served two tours in Viet Nam, said that the military has always been important to his family. His father and two brothers both served in the armed forces, Sal was a Marine and then joined the National Guard, and his three children are all in the National Guard. "This family's a bit patriotic," he said. "The whole family has a sense of duty and purpose. This country's been great for everyone; (we want to) ... give something back."

Sal has recently retired from the National Guard after 25 years. He left as a Sgt. First Class. He was first in the Marines serving two tours in Viet Nam from 1965-67. He said he re-enlisted because all of his unit either died or was wounded. "There were only two of us left and the other went home. We were annihilated on March 26, 1966."

However, after Viet Nam, he joined the National Guard when he realized that despite his disability from Viet Nam, he could be part of that group. "Because I was a disabled vet, I did not think they'd let me back in."

Now, three of Sal's four children are in the National Guard. Asked if he thought that child number four, Sally, 15 would also enter the military, he said, "I think so."

His daughter, Cathy, is part of the 427 Support Battalion. She is going to SUNY Brockport where she is in ROTC and majoring in physical education. The 1997 Spencerport High School graduate says that she will probably not be asked to serve in the near future, because she is a college senior and close to getting commissioned. They would rather she enter after commissioning.

Her two younger brothers are also in the National Guard. Tom, is a Specialist in the National Guard. He is a freshman at SUNY Brockport and was a 1999 graduate from Spencerport High School. Chris is 17 and left for basic training two weeks ago. He is at Fort Knox and is a private, first class. He graduated last June from Spencerport High School.

Asked if he was worried about his children in light of the recent terrorist attacks, Sal replied, "Of course! I hope my kids aren't called ... I hope nobody's kids are called."

He said that the terrorist attacks brought a lot of his experiences back to him. "I feel for these people (the firemen and policemen in New York City) ... what they will go through later on - post-traumatic stress ... after a couple of weeks. I feel sorry for these guys. I know what they will be going through. Unless you've seen bodies like that -- arms and legs all over ... There is a lot of stress. I saw a lot in combat. I've been through things where people have been blown apart. My unit (in Viet Nam) was the most decorated unit. It (the terrorist attacks) brought it all back."

About the fact that three of his children have entered the military, Sal said, "I guess for all their growing up years, they knew that I liked it and followed what I did." Cathy said that it was "partially because of my Dad. He had gotten a lot out of it. I enjoy physical activity and this is just a different challenge ... and it pays for school."

Referring to the latest nation crisis, Sal said, "I wish I could go ... I (guess) I am giving back through my kids."

Sal and his wife, Sandra, a school bus driver for the Spencerport School District, and their family reside on Trimmer Road in Spencerport.