Veterans Road field naming back on agenda

The Veterans Road field naming returned to the Town Board agenda on April 28, and emotions remain high over whether the field and gazebo’s official name properly honors the service members it was intended to recognize.

For decades, Yorktown residents of all ages have visited the field and track on Veterans Road behind the Albert A. Capellini Community and Cultural Center for everything from walks and soccer practice to outdoor movies and concerts.

But few may realize that the name commonly used for the area has long been a point of contention for local veterans groups.

Over time, visitors have sometimes shortened the name to Jack DeVito Memorial Field and Track—or simply Jack DeVito Field—dropping “Veterans” from its full name of Jack DeVito Veterans Memorial Field and Track, as posted on the sign alongside the park.

DeVito was a community fixture in Yorktown from the 1950s until his death in 1993 and served in the 56th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Brigade during the Korean War. He was the “son” in the family business, A. DeVito and Son, and was active in youth programs through the Lions Club, the Yorktown Athletic Club and initiatives for children with special needs. He received the Lions Club’s highest humanitarian honor, the Melvin Jones Award.

Veterans groups say that using DeVito’s name for the field could create the impression that he is being singled out among the many Yorktown men and women who have served, including those who made the ultimate sacrifice. However, because DeVito contributed so much to the community, people on both sides of the issue agree that he deserves recognition. They are now seeking a clearer way to phrase the dedication so that both DeVito and local veterans receive appropriate and balanced recognition.

“Let us honor all veterans at Veterans Field,” Maj. Michael Sheridan said.

Others believe DeVito, who was a pillar in the community, deserves recognition by name for his role in beautifying the town. The challenge, they say, is balancing both goals in one place. The problem is combining the two goals in one place.

Sheridan, the chairman of the Veterans Advisory Committee (VAC), said the problem is not going away; in his view, it continues to get worse.

He was joined by Carl DiLiberto, another committee member, before the Town Board at its April 28 meeting at Hart Library.

The VAC submitted a resolution in January to the Town Board. The Yorktown Heights Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8328 and Yorktown American Legion Post 1009 formally asked that portions of the field and park be renamed to honor all veterans.

“We have not heard from the Town Board since then on this decision,” DiLiberto said, adding they now feel called to revisit the matter.

“At this time, since there's no official name for the past 32 years, we are requesting that the current sign be removed and replaced,” he said.

A suggestion to call it YCC Field was raised, but later in the meeting Parks Superintendent James Martorano said that naming would be inconsistent. He added the issue may apply to other parks and could be an opportunity to review naming town-wide.

In January, Supervisor Ed Lachterman advised the DeVito family and the Veterans Advisory Committee to connect and reach a consensus before returning to the board. The two sides did not reach an agreement.

On April 28, Sheridan and DiLiberto asked the board to revisit the topic and said members of the American Legion, VFW and Yorktown Lions should recuse themselves from the vote. That would leave Lachterman to step in only if a tie-breaking vote is needed.

Recreation Commission Vice Chairman John Campobasso said the town is in a difficult position.

“This is not an easy one,” he told the board. “We owe everything to these gentlemen and the ladies that served, but the DeVitos have done a lot for this town, and on the park side, we rely on them a lot.”

The board continues to review the issue. It is unclear when the matter will return.