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Showing veterans some love

Van Zandt residents honored

By William Kibler 4 min read

Tony Febbo has experienced misfortune during his 82 years.

A son died eight years ago; his wife was afflicted with Alzheimer's for 11 years before her death seven years ago; and he had part of a foot amputated after an infection due to diabetes, forcing him to live for now in a nursing facility.

One might have expected complaints as Febbo detailed his life at the Community Living Center at Van Zandt VA Medical Center, following a Valentine's Day event Tuesday to honor CLC residents.

But that wasn't the case: "I've been fortunate," Febbo said. "I had a good job, a good family, (and) I'm lucky to be here getting this kind of treatment."

Febbo enlisted in the Army at age 20 in 1960, so he wouldn't get drafted.

"I don't know why they took me," he said, self-deprecating. "I didn't know nothing."

His father told him to go into the Army or get a job: "But you're not living here for free."

The Army sent Febbo to Roccasecca, in central Italy. Vietnam was not yet a full-blown U.S. war.

Febbo was an ammunition supply specialist on the base. It was a desk job -- not difficult, Febbo said. He got lots of leave time.

Nevertheless, he grew up during that period, because "when they tell you to do something, you do it," he said.

It helped that his parents had prepared him with a strict upbringing.

By the time he got out two years later, "I was not a smartass kid anymore," he said.

While in Italy, he never visited his father's ancestral town in Sicily, which he still regrets.

"I wish I had done that," he said. "I was too stupid."

Back home in Altoona, he got a job driving a truck for Automotive Supply Co.

One day, in 1969, he was walking past the old Penelec building on 19th Street, saw they were taking job applications and applied to work at PPG in Tipton.

The company hired him.

He'd been making $1.65 an hour at Automotive; he started at $2.41 with PPG.

His first weekend, he made time-and-a-half for Saturday and double-time for Sunday.

He got $300 in his next paycheck.

"I couldn't believe it," he said. "I thought I died and went to heaven."

He worked at PPG 41 years, making "phenomenal money," eventually retiring from the company.

During his time there, he learned various processes, including tempering of glass in a furnace, and he became a designer of glass components for after-market cars.

He married Julia in 1966.

They had two sons, Michael, who would be 56 now; and Tony, 57, who runs a bar and restaurant in Scranton.

He didn't want to put Julia in a nursing facility, after her Alzheimer's began, so he and other family members took care of her at home.

Eventually, she couldn't talk or walk.

But she knew him.

"I loved taking care of her," Febbo said. "She was a joy."

Alzheimer's can turn some people mean, he said. Not Julia.

"I was fortunate to have her that long," he said.

He's been at the Van Zandt CLC for 2.5 months, and may need to remain for six or eight more, he said.

"The food isn't bad. (But) I love the staff," he said. "I love the place."

His eyes began to glisten.

Spokeswoman Amanda Hite was listening and walked away.

She returned with a couple of tissues and handed them to Febbo.

Febbo and several other CLC residents Tuesday received certificates and pins from Van Zandt Director Derek Coughenour, recognizing them for serving in their respective branches of the military.

The veterans also got Valentine's Day gift bags, including handmade cards from elementary school students.

"I want to be sure you feel appreciated, loved and supported here,"

Coughenour told the men.

Coughenour also recognized the contributions of volunteers who work at the hospital.

Mirror Staff Writer William Kibler is at 814-949-7038.

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