![]() |
|
|---|---|
|
|
Home Page Contact Us Upcoming Events Dues/Donations |
2012 Man of the Year
Bishop Neal Buckon graduated from Gesu Elementary School
in University Heights and Cathedral Latin High School.
He continued his education at John Carroll University,
earning a Bachelor of Science Degree through his
participation in the ROTC program at Carroll.
“Even before
college, I knew I wanted to be in ROTC,” Bishop Buckon
says. “It wasn’t something that was popular at the time
with Vietnam, but my grandfather and other family
members served. I felt every citizen ought to consider
being of service.”
In May 1975, he was recognized as a Distinguished
Military Graduate, appointed as a Regular Army Officer,
and served in both the Infantry and Transportation
branches of the U.S. Army. As a member of the Infantry,
he served as Rifle Platoon Leader and Weapons Platoon
Leader with the 1st Battalion, 46th Infantry, 1st Armor
Division, Erlangen, Germany; and Battalion S4 and
Company Commander with the 3rd Battalion, 19th Infantry,
24th Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Georgia.
As a member of the Transportation Corps, his
assignments included serving in Mannheim Germany as a
Platoon Leader and Company Operations Officer with the
28th Transportation Battalion and as a Platoon Leader
and Transportation Officer in the Headquarters and
Headquarters Company of the Allied Command Europe,
Mobile Force (Land) (AMFL) (including deployments to
Denmark, England, and Norway).
Following seven years of active duty, he resigned his
commission and traveled to more than 100 countries.
Inspired by these travels Neal entered
the
ministry. He earned a Bachelor
of Arts degree in History from Cleveland State
University, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy
from Borromeo College of Ohio. He later received a
Masters of Divinity degree and a Master of Arts degree
in Church History from Saint Mary’s Seminary in
Cleveland, Ohio.
Following his graduate theological studies, he
was ordained a priest in May 1995 for the Diocese of
Cleveland and assigned to Saint Margaret Mary Church in
South Euclid, Ohio. While in the seminary, he served in
the U.S. Army Reserve as a Chaplain Candidate and was
subsequently accessioned into the U.S. Army Chaplain
Corps in 1996. His
Chaplain assignments included locations around the
world.
Some of the locations and
deployments were:
Cleveland,
Ohio (including a deployment to Bosnia); Fort Stewart,
Georgia; Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Baghdad, Iraq;
Heidelberg, Germany; and Fort Sill, Oklahoma.
He served his last
assignment as the Eighth United States Army (EUSA)
Chaplain for Current Operations and Catholic Chaplain in
Yongsan, Korea. His awards
include the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, the
Meritorious Service Medal (2 Oak Leaf Clusters), the
Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation
Medal (3 Oak Leaf Clusters), the Parachutist Badge, and
the Ranger Tab.
U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel Neal J. Buckon retired on
December 31, 2010 after 28 years of distinguished
service in the military.
Three
days later, His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI named him
Titular Bishop of Vissalsa and Auxiliary Bishop to the
Most Reverend Timothy P. Broglio, Archbishop for the
Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA.
Bishop Buckon’s appointment was announced in Washington,
D.C. on January 3, 2011 by Archbishop Pietro Sambi,
Apostolic Nuncio to the United States.
He explains his role as auxiliary bishop in the
Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA. “Archbishop
Broglio reorganized the areas of responsibility for his
four auxiliary bishops. I will be his vicar for the
Western United States, situated in San Clemente,
California, traveling to 95 military installations in 18
western states, including Hawaii and Alaska. The
Archdiocese for the Military Services includes the
Catholic service members and their families on Active
Duty in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force. In
addition to celebrating annual Confirmation Masses at
these installations, I will support the Catholic
Chaplains by answering questions, resolving issues, and
talking through difficulties to find solutions. I will
also provide pastoral care to those serving in the
military and their families.
I will be working with the Catholic Chaplains to
sustain the spirituality and souls of those in our Armed
Forces. As I
serve God, I am also serving this great nation and the
brave service members of the U.S. military,” Bishop
Buckon states proudly.
Bishop
Buckon notes, “Christianity is a very powerful thing
because it is the love of God. As bishops, we select our
own coat of arms and motto. I selected the motto of
Cathedral Latin, opere et veritate, which means “in deed
and in truth.” In the letter of John 3:19, Jesus says,
‘Little children, do not merely talk about love. Let us
serve in deed and in truth.’ This is a wonderful message
for our military. It has strengthened and encouraged me
since my Latin days.”
On Feb.
22, Buckon was ordained a bishop during a ceremony at
the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate
Conception. Neal asked three friends and former
Cathedral Latin alumni to serve as deacons at his
ordination Mass on February 22: Bruce Battista ’71, of
Holy Rosary Church, Little Italy; John Wenzel ’65, of
St. Anthony of Padua, Fairport Harbor; and John Sferry
’63, of Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist.
Why? “Because they were Latin grads,” jokes
Bishop Buckon with a laugh.
“They are good friends, and we’ve worked together
or stayed in close touch all these years.”
Bishop
Buckon is a native Clevelander and is the son of John
(deceased) and Rita Buckon. His siblings include Liz
(deceased), Nancy, Jane, Marie, Leo ’73 and Paul ’76.
He currently resides at Our
Lady of Fatima Church in San Clemente, CA.
Click here to view
our past "Men of the Year"
|
|
COPYRIGHT ©2013 I CONTACT WEBMASTER