For (at least) the past three years, at our annual Catholic Charities’ “Caritas Gala,” in addition to showing our gratitude and celebrating our honorees, we have been privileged to see and hear a presentation on the “Missing Man Table” (or “Fallen Soldier Table”), honoring the women and men who serve our country in the military and remembering especially those who never returned home. You can watch a video presentation on the “Missing Man Table” given by Val Digiacinto, “Veteran Partner of the Year,” and hear from one of our 2024 Caritas Honorees, veteran Richard Vohden.
As I attended the 2026 Caritas Gala last week, we gave thanks for our 2026 Honorees (for more information, see our Beacon coverage), and gave thanks for all the wonderful work that is done every day by the leaders, staff, and volunteers of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Paterson, also giving thanks for the incredibly generous support of our donors, I was particularly grateful for all that is done by Catholic Charities and our partners to honor, serve, and support the women and men who have served and continue to serve our country in our armed forces and military.
As we will celebrate Veterans’ Day on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026, I encourage readers not only to watch the “Missing Man Table” video, but to go to our Catholic Charities website to learn about the many ways that we are supporting and honoring our veterans, especially through our “SSVF” Program:
“Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) Program provides supportive services to Veterans with very low income who are literally homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Veteran families are provided a range of supportive services designed to promote housing stability….” ccpaterson.org/veterans
In many ways, it is hard to imagine that someone who has served our country would end up being homeless after returning from service, but many veterans struggle with the transition upon their return home to “civilian life.” We have a special responsibility to help and serve these brothers and sisters who have served us by serving our country.
Especially in recent years, as I have attended Catholic Charities events and learned more about our outreach to veterans and their families, I have been very grateful to learn about the partnerships that Catholic Charities has with military, government, and other community organizations, as we strive to work together to serve and support our veterans. One of the organizations that stands out is Welcome Home VETS of New Jersey. I encourage you to go to their website and learn about their mission: “To provide care for New Jersey soldiers, veterans, and their families in need. Immediate and long-term assistance is provided through our organization and our Strategic Partners.”
When you click on what the organization is “about,” you will learn:
“Welcome Home Vets of New Jersey (WHVNJ) is an entirely volunteer, nonprofit organization dedicated to helping our service men and women overcome obstacles in their return to civilian life. America asked these stalwart men and women to possibly die in its defense, and yet, when they return home, the support provided is often inadequate. We strive to provide former service members from all conflict eras legal assistance as well as help with access to medical services, housing, and jobs….”
You will also learn about their membership, goals, history (WHVNJ was “created on July 24, 2009, when it became evident that GI’s returning from Iraq and Afghanistan and their families who remained behind in New Jersey had very important and unmet needs.) and much more. I am very glad to know that Catholic Charities of Paterson is a close and active partner with WHVNJ.
I presume most readers are aware that Veterans Day is commemorated in the United States on Nov. 11 because it marks the anniversary of the armistice that led to the end of World War I. You can learn more about the history of Veterans Day on the website of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, including:
“In November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following words: “To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…” History of Veterans Day.
I believe that it is a “happy coincidence” and providential that, as our country celebrates Veterans’ Day on Nov. 11, the liturgical calendar of the Church celebrates the Feast of St. Martin of Tours, the patron saint of soldiers. “(St.) Martin became a Christian catechumen and was baptized when he was 18. It was said that he lived more like a monk than a soldier. At 23, Martin of Tours refused a war bonus and told his commander: “I have served you as a soldier; now let me serve Christ. Give the bounty to those who are going to fight. But I am a soldier of Christ …”
The Church has a detailed account of the final hours of St. Martin’s life on earth, as he went to his eternal reward (more than 1,600 years ago) on Nov. 8, 397. “As death approached, Martin’s followers begged him not to leave them. He prayed, “Lord, if your people still need me, I do not refuse the work. Your will be done.” (See: Office of Readings – Memorial for Saint Martin of Tours, Bishop) He was a good and faithful soldier to his last breath. On this Veterans Day, let us offer a special prayer of gratitude for all the good and faithful soldiers who have served and continue to serve our country and for all who help to welcome and support our veterans, as they return home.
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