This special event will take place on Friday, January 19th at 11 AM at the American Italian Heritage Museum - 1227 Central Ave - Albany, NY 12205. Daniel P. McCoy, Albany County Executive will present our the museum a flag that flew over the U.S. Capitol in honor of Father/Chaplain Anthony Sidoti. Fr, Sidoti receive the Silver Star, the Purple Heart and numerous other commendations. Many of you may have know him when he was pastor of St. Anthony Church and later St. James (Albany, NY). It is an honor to have this flag in our military room. A reception will follow, desserts.

Father/Chaplain Anthony Sidoti was ordained as a priest on May 18, 1940 in Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Albany by Bishop Edmund F. Gibbons. He first served as associate pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Gloversville for two years before entering the United States Army to serve as a chaplain from 1942-1946. During the War, he served in the European Theatre and received the Silver Star, Purple Heart and numerous other commendations.

Upon his return to the Diocese, he served as an associate pastor at St. Mary's Parish in Frankfort for two years before serving as the associate pastor at St. Anthony's Parish in Albany from 1948-1963. In 1963, he was named the administrator of St. Anthony's. Father Sidoti was named as the pastor of St. Anthony's Parish in Albany in 1966 and served there until 1970. From 1970 until his retirement in 1990, he served as the pastor of St. James Parish in Albany. He was the first director of the Bishop's fund and served as director from 1955-1966. He was appointed as Diocesan Consultor from 1969-1970.

In 1948, Fr. Sidoti became the division chaplain for the 27th Infantry Division of the New York Army National Guard. In 1957, he was promoted to full colonel in the N.Y. Army National Guard and served in the capacity of the staff chaplain for the entire State of New York Army National Guard. In that position, he was the adviser to the commanding general of the guard on all matters pertaining to religion, welfare, morals and morale for the approximately 26,000 guardsmen. He also supervised the work, training and activities of all guard chaplains.