Weather | Sports | Forums | Comics | Classifieds | Calendar | Movies
Charles Salvaggio Jr., 69, says a tragedy like the terrorist attacks brings out the best in our country.
By CAROLYN HOPKINS
© St. Petersburg Times, published October 30, 2001
HUDSON -- Charles Salvaggio Jr., a former Marine, law enforcement and security officer, has been a public servant since 1947.
Even in high school, he served in the Marine Corps Reserve in Rochester, N.Y. When the Korean conflict broke out he was 18. He enlisted in the regular Marine Corps and served in Korea, the Mediterranean and Europe, receiving an honorable discharge in October 1953.
Salvaggio, 69, is proud of his fellow Americans and their response to the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11.
"I haven't seen such a reaction of Americans coming together since I was a teenager before World War II," he said.
"At the onset of a tragedy like the WTC, Americans will come together, but as time passes history has shown that they become complacent. I hope this doesn't happen, and maybe it won't, because this time, it is different. A direct attack like this has never happened in our homeland.
"I believe it is necessary for every citizen to take extraordinary measures for their own security today," he said.
After his discharge from the Marines, Salvaggio went to work with the Rochester Police Bureau, retiring after almost 21 years. Then he accepted a position in Kodak Park's security division, where he was responsible for a $12-million budget. He retired in 1988 but returned as a paid consultant and executive protection security officer for the chairman of the board. He also conducted classes on bomb threats and bomb recognition.
In 1990, he was hired by the United States Marshal Service as a Special Deputy United States Marshal. He was named court security officer and was involved in many federal trials. He also instructed bomb threat classes for the Western New York Federal Court Security Officers. The U.S. Marshal's Star and inclusion in the American Police Hall of Fame are among many honors he has received.
After he "finally, really retired" in 1995, he and Marian, his wife of 42 years, moved to Hudson. She is geriatric nurse who works part time for Hospice of Pasco.
Salvaggio is president of the Rochester, N.Y. and Vicinity Club, is a volunteer instructor for the AARP 55-Alive Driver Safety Program and recently was elected junior vice commandant of the Holiday Detachment 567, Marine Corps League of New Port Richey.