News-Info-Alerts

Re: Memories of war Still Linger

To: ALL

From: Andi Wolos & Bob Necci

(POW-MIA InterNetwork)

Date: November 11, 2002

"Memories of war linger
*'It still hurts,' says former POW Joseph Sangermano

By Pete Beisser
Maryland Times-Press

OCEAN CITY -- When Joseph Sangermano stands to address the 166 members of the Ocean City American Legion this Veterans Day, all of his 60-year-old memories of military service will resurface.

Because memories of being a POW during World War II are so graphic, Sangermano says he may not be able to finish his speech without breaking down into tears.

The memories are just too vivid for the 80-year-old veteran even today, more than 57 years after his release.

"It hurts still," Sangermano said. "You'll never forget it. But sometimes it's good to talk about it."

As the commander of the Maryland East Chapter of the POW/MIA organization, Sangermano helps support other returned prisoners of war and their families. His organization tries to get POWs of all ages to talk about their ordeals of being held with the only people who can relate. The 40 members meet about four times a year to catch up, discuss their experiences and get information about benefits to which they're entitled.

Sangermano says he wants to help others to know about the government aid that is available for aging veterans' medical needs. The poor conditions his captors kept him under combined with the malaria that he contracted while serving and a serious leg injury he sustained have plagued the local veteran for decades.

"It's affecting our health," he said. "We're in bad shape now. We're losing about 1,000 (World War II veterans) a day. If the veterans ask for help, they'll assist them in any way that they can."

Sangermano was one of 130,000 soldiers taken prisoner during World War II. From 1946 to 1947, he spent a difficult year in Stalag VIIA and Stalag IIB, two German labor camps, working in fields picking potatoes and fixing German railways from sunrise to sunset.

"You were basically a slave," he said. "They were really gambling with our lives. They didn't care about us. They used you for as much as they could."

When he enlisted in the army, Sangermano was a bright-eyed 18-year-old. He weighed 140 pounds. After the Russian army liberated his camp, he returned home at a scrawny 90 pounds. His return home was difficult because loved ones believed he had died. Up until five years ago, Sangermano says he was still listed as killed in action on a plaque in his hometown of Ambridge, Pa.

"Things just weren't the same," Sangermano said. "People change. It wasn't as warm as it used to be before I went into the service."

Although life eventually settled down for the retired clothing designer, Sangermano gets by today with the help of Helen, his wife of more than 56 years, their two children and three grandchildren. By sharing his experiences with others, Sangermano says he believes that he can help others become aware of the lasting effects that many suffer from serving their country.

"It's like a nightmare and you just got up," Sangermano said. "You'll never forget it. Even today, I feel I'm one lucky guy. I'm one lucky guy to be alive."

Reach Pete Beisser at 410-289-6834, Ext. 21, or pbeisser@smgpo.gannett.com.


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