Poor Tom's Almanac: Katsaros exemplifies spirit of our veterans

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November 12, 2009

Tom Vartabedian

When John Katsaros talks, people listen. That's because he has such a compelling story to tell.

Katsaros' book, "Code Burgundy — The Long Escape," recounts how he was shot down after a reconnaissance mission over Germany during World War II. He tells of twice being captured by the Gestapo, thrown into dungeons and left to die; of the lifesaving aid given him by fighters in the French Resistance.

The book isn't so much about himself, Katsaros says, but is a tribute to all soldiers, those who returned and those who didn't.

On this Veterans Day, Katsaros stands proud, an 86-year-old Air Force veteran who defied every obstacle that crossed his path.

A week ago, he spoke at an event sponsored by the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association, an international Greek American advocacy organization. The audience, at the AHEPA housing facility on Buttonwoods Avenue, sat at rapt attention. His wife, Mary, ran the projector, putting pictures to the words.

The next day, he was at a Sons of Italy gathering to share his experiences. He's been across the country as a guest speaker, promoting his book with autographed copies, each time reliving the war as if it were yesterday.

State AHEPA officials attended last week's presentation, surprising Katsaros with a Man of the Year Award.

Had his two brothers been alive, no doubt the would have shared the tribute with him. Brother George served this city dutifully as mayor, a businessman and big band leader; brother Sotiris was principal of Haverhill High School and dedicated his life to education and our students.

After his discharge, Katsaros returned to Haverhill for a life in the business world. The military still had him listed as a POW.

"I had them fooled," he smiled to his audience. "I outlived the doctors who cared for me."

One of those doctors was a Jewish physician also in hiding as he tried to escape the Nazi soldiers.

Twice after his capture by the Gestapo, he escaped with the assistance of the brave Free French Resistance, which hid him over a three-month period and nursed him back to health. He fled to the north of France, then south to the Pyrenees, and to freedom, only to be locked up by the Spanish Constabulary. Katsaros' medical treatment in France while on the run is owed to a Jewish doctor while he was hiding from the Gestapo in the cellar of his clinic. With the insistence of the Free French Underground, punctuated by a pistol to his head, the doctor performed three surgeries within three days on John's gangrenous arm to save it — and his life. As the talk comes to an end, a headline from The Haverhill Gazette flashes on the screen: "John Katsaros missed death."

These days, you'll find Katsaros at Haverhill Country Club, still involved with the real estate world and making annual jaunts to Ocean Ridge, Fla., with Mary. He's well connected with the city's Greek population and the service organizations.

"I was lucky," he says. "I had God on my side."

His talk ends with these words: "Cherish the freedom."

A retired reporter and photographer for The Haverhill Gazette, Tom Vartabedian contributes this weekly column.