Published: New York Catholic Newspaper May 28-2006

Refurbishment to Put More Focus on Father Duffy, Chairman Says

As chaplain to New York's 69th Regiment and Rainbow Division during World War I in France, Father Francis P. Duffy, became one of the most celebrated-and decorated-chaplains in U.S. military history. He was memorialized by Pat O'Brien, who played him in the 1940 film "The Fighting 69th." Also starring was James Cagney as a cowardly character who was inspired to "redemptive heroism" by Father Duffy's example.

A priest of the archdiocese, Father Duffy taught at St. Joseph's Seminary, Dunwoodie, and served as founding pastor of Our Saviour parish in the Bronx before going off to war in 1918. On return, he was made pastor of Holy Cross parish serving the Times Square area. After his death in 1932, New York Mayor Fiorello La Guardia renamed a part of Times Square as "Father Duffy Square" and erected a statue in his honor.

Duffy Square is probably best known as the crowded, hectic island where the Theatre Development Fund's (TDF) half-price TKTS Booth stands. Now, thanks to the work of three local groups-the Coalition for Father Duffy, the TDF and the Times Square Alliance-in cooperation with the City of New York, a new TKTS Booth and a refurbished Duffy Square are in the works.

Unveiled May 1, the plan calls for the TKTS Booth to be placed beneath a red glass spectators' bleachers overlooking the square and the statue. Information technology executive Bruce Meyerson, 63, a veteran of the Fighting 69th, took over in January as chairman of the Coalition for Father Duffy after the death of its guiding force, retired Major General Joseph A. Healey. He spoke about the project, and about Father Duffy, last week with CNY news editor Mary Ann Poust.

What is it about Father Duffy that made him such a battlefield legend?

Up to World War I, most chaplains remained in a secure area near the rear, at first aid stations, to minister to the wounded and dying. Father Duffy wanted to be with his men, whom he loved. Most of them he knew before they went to France. He was in the trenches at the front line. The military men told him to go behind the line. He refused. He was in every major battle of the war.

Why is it important for New Yorkers, and all Americans, to remember him?

You have a man here of tremendous heroism, tremendous compassion. It's not just his military history. He's honored for being a chaplain, a pastor and a soldier. He was born in Canada, but he was a New Yorker through and through and he was truly a patriot.

How will the renovation of Duffy Square promote this?

We're very excited about the renovation. The square will be cleansed, so to speak, of impediments to seeing the statue. A wrought iron fence around the statue will be removed. Now you can't get to the back of it. You can't see the back of the Celtic cross that lists all of his honors. Access is not easy. With the renovation, the whole area will look toward the statue. From the glass steps that will rise behind the statue, you will see the back of the Celtic cross. The second thing is, it will return the square to what it should be, a place to reflect, remember and honor.

Did the Coalition have input on the renovation design?

I just took over in January from my mentor, General Healey. He told me the Coalition had a lot of involvement with the other organizations and all had a great deal of interaction and, I would say, probably heated interaction. But everybody was truly drawn together in a spirit of cooperation and we accomplished everybody's goal. Ours was to have a place of reflection and remembrance and we think we've got that, even though it's in one of the most noisy, crowded places in the world.

When did you serve with the Fighting 69th?

The 69th is a National Guard unit. I served for 14 years, four of them as company commander under General Healey, from 1965 to 1978.

The Fighting 69th is serving in Iraq. What message do you think Father Duffy would have for the soldiers there now?

Actually, they're not there anymore. Their tour of duty ended back in November. But I think Father Duffy would tell them, ÔÔBe proud, don't be afraid of being afraid in battle, be true to yourself and your country.'' Let me tell you an anecdote. Joyce Kilmer, the poet who wrote ÔÔTrees,'' was killed fighting with the 69th in World War I. In his writings, he described the journey to Europe. He said the lines for confession with Father Duffy were longer than the lines in the mess hall. It was more important to the soldiers than food.

What will you be doing on Memorial Day?

There's a monument to the 69th in Calvary Cemetery (in Queens). The 69th Veterans Corps pays respects to the veterans. That's what I usually do, and as of now that's my plan for this year, although we were giving some thought to having a small ceremony at the statue too.

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