BY ERIC POOLE [email protected] | 0 comments As American Legion members go, Dean Custozzo admits he’s on the young side. Custozzo, 48, of Ellwood City, is a past post commander for Ellwood City American Legion Post 157 — an organization whose membership age demographic tilts toward 70-year-old Korean War veterans and 80-something World War II vets. And the Iraq War veteran would like to see that change. Custozzo, a Navy reservist, was deployed in 2005-06 to Kuwait as part of a law and order detachment in support of the Iraq War, and again for a short tour in 2008. “You have all the stories from the members from World War II until now,” Custozzo said about being an American Legion member. “It’s never been a dull moment.” More to the point, he said younger veterans who haven’t joined the American Legion should. The organization offers networking opportunities, support for employment and veterans affairs services. “We might meet once a month, but we support each other all the time,” Custozzo said. On a professional level, Custozzo benefitted from that support himself. He now works as a police supervisor on the 910th Air Wing base near Pittsburgh International Airport. Previously, he had been an officer in Franklin Township and worked for a time as police chief in Freedom. “I smile every day when I go to work,” he said. “I have such a great group of guys who work with me,” he said. And as a federal police officer for the Department of Defense, Custozzo is secure that his employer is supportive of his ongoing Navy reserve duties. He is in the process of shifting his military occupational specialty from law enforcement to cryptology. Custozzo, now a petty officer first class in rank, said the change will give him greater advancement opportunities. His new duties are going to involve analyzing classified photographs. In the meantime though, Custozzo remains committed to the local American Legion post, and to helping it grow. He said the Legion gives members the opportunity to keep serving — through projects like the youth baseball team and annual essay contest — even after they take off the uniform. “It brings back that sense of purpose,” he said about legion membership.
Posted on: Tue, 02 Jul 2013 14:23:18 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015