Woods at Cedar Run veteran has a story to tell

CAMP HILL, Pa. - May 21, 2015 - PRLog -- Samuel Ammirato is among the most popular residents at The Woods at Cedar Run senior living community because of his outgoing personality and an ability to vividly recount stories from his childhood in Italy to his service in World War II to a lifetime spent in Pennsylvania communities such as Uniontown and Harrisburg.

    At age 95, Ammirato typically is among the first to greet visitors to The Woods, which is located in Camp Hill. “He is always willing to share his stories with those who want to hear them,” said Julie Seifried, Activities Director at The Woods.

    And, what stories Sam has to tell. A veteran of World War II, Ammirato is proud to have served his country. He is among a group of veterans who were recognized this week as part of a Memorial Day commemoration at The Woods at Cedar Run.

     An Italian native, Ammirato said his most vivid memories of his childhood are of the annual grape harvest in the rural area of Cosenza, Italy. He watched the men pick the grapes and pile them in baskets, which the women then carried from the vineyard on their heads.

    “The grapes were scattered into a large swimming-pool sized concrete tub and older women hiked up their skirts and stomped them with bare feet to release the juices,” Ammirato recalled.

     His family moved to America when Sam only was 9 years old so that his father could work in the coal mines in Western Pennsylvania. He struggled with the English language as a child, but credits one of his grade school teachers for moving his desk next to hers, enabling him to better grasp the new language.

    After his school days, Ammirato worked for a brief time on the first section of the Pennsylvania Turnpike before he enlisted in the U.S. Armed Forces. During World War II, Ammirato served in the U.S. Army Air Corps as a crewman on a C-47 Skytrain. The crew was responsible for evacuating the sick and wounded as well as delivering supplies.

    “Since the planes flew at such high altitudes, the crew was required to wear very heavy clothing to stay warm during the flight,” recalled Ammirato, who logged 800 airtime hours during his 2 ½ years in the South Pacific and  Australia. “When you were on the ground, you could fill a bucket with sweat, but when you got up in the air, you’d be freezing.”

    He was stationed in the Pacific Theater during the war because Ammirato requested that he not serve in the European Theater because of his Italian heritage. “Sam told us natives of certain islands had acquired a taste for SPAM,” Seifried said, recalling one of Ammirato’s stories about the canned meat provided to servicemen. “This worked out perfectly for those stationed there because Sam said they would trade their SPAM for bananas from the natives.”

  While stationed in Australia, Ammirato learned that the teacher who helped him with his English was about to marry. “Sam sent her a wedding present from Australia to show his thanks,” Seifried said.

    Upon his discharge as a staff sergeant, Ammirato returned to Uniontown where he met his wife, Rosalie, through an old school friend. He began working at her family’s corner grocery store and eventually operated the business. During those years, Sam and Rosalie had two children, Caroline and Sam Jr.

    Eventually Sam took a position with PennDOT as a permit supervisor. After his retirement in 1985, he and his wife travelled to his native Italy. The couple was married 53 years until Rosalie’s death.

    He remains active at The Woods. His favorite hobbies include woodworking and building models, such as airplanes and cars that often were given to his grandchildren. Sam once handcrafted a grandfather clock.

    “Sam is a special gentleman who often is one of the first people visitors will see upon entering The Woods at Cedar Run,” Seifried said. “We thank him and all of those who have served our country during this Memorial Day holiday.”