Joseph Pontoriero is a Staples High School freshman. Nearly every day, he passes VFW Joseph J. Clinton Post 399 on Riverside Avenue. His grandfather is a Vietnam War veteran who meets friends every Thursday for lunch and camaraderie.
For Veterans Day, Joseph wanted to see the events VFW had scheduled. He was amazed to find the organization had no website.
Many youngsters would say, “too bad.” Joseph said, “I’ll create one!”
Joseph Pontoriero
VFW officials were happy to have him — and his many years of programming experience. Joseph spent hours designing a custom site. Now he spends hours more maintaining it.
“He exceeds our expectations every time,” says Post 399 quartermaster Phil Delgado.
“Joe is not content to use a drag-and-drop template. He’s dedicated and determined. He writes and customizes everything manually, and helps drive visitors to our website.”
The site includes photos; news about coat and blood drives, support of a medical dog project, holiday parties and more; a calendar with upcoming events; the dining room menu; sign-ups for the e-newsletter — even a biography of the post’s namesake, Pvt. Joseph J. Clinton.
Joseph makes time for the VFW alongside many other activities. He’s been a junior board member of Westport Maker Faire (now Maker Faire Connecticut) for 4 years. As a Westport Library MakerSpace volunteer, he’s helped teach people of all ages how to 3D print. In his spare time, he enjoys playing golf — and the bagpipes.
Veterans of many conflicts are grateful for Joseph’s service to VFW Post 399. Now the rest of Westport can honor this Unsung Hero too. Just click here — vfw399ct.org — and enjoy!
(To nominate an Unsung Hero, email dwoog@optonline.net)
VFW Joseph J. Clinton Post 399, on Riverside Avenue.
Love to see stories like this one honoring our local hero’s – young and old – and this special young man. Has made a very big impact and difference in these veterans lives too. ❤️
Great story. At Joseph’s age, on a winter afternoon I would probably just be hanging out after school listening to music. Good for him!
Awesome story!
The VFW has a special place in my heart as well. My grandfather was a regular there for many years before his death in 1993. He was Poppy chairman for a lot of those years and I even got to be poppy girl and ride on a float in the parade one year. I haven’t been there since I moved out of town 20 years ago but I remember a wall of old pictures and my grandfather is in quite a few of them.
Great job Joseph! I’m glad to see someone appreciate the VFW as much as I do!
Thanks Dan. This is a 2 for the price of 1 article. Great local hero story, great job by Joe; and good to know the VFW has a website
Who knew that the VFW restaurant is OPEN to the public?
While I’m guessing there are folks that do know, I’m pretty certain in saying that many more DO NOT know.
Let’s get the word out!
More competition to go up against the many sub-par restaurants locally would be a good thing.
I did do a story about it! Last summer: https://wp.me/pscs0-oRn
That’s a great website ‼️🇺🇸