From time to time, The Massapequan Observer will feature a student interview with senior visitors at the Massapequa Park Senior Center. Here, Kasha Siwik, an 8th grade student at Our Lady of Lourdes in Massapequa Park, chats with Vincent Cullen and his wife, Annamarie.

I interviewed an interesting and nice couple, Vincent Cullen, age 78, and his wife Annamarie, 74. They were good enough to share some experiences in their lives.

Vincent Cullen grew up in Brooklyn. He came from a family of seven children. He lived during the Depression. He said that there was much more discipline back then in raising children than there is now. One chore that he despised was shining everyone's shoes. His father would check them every time. If they were not perfect, he would make him do it again and again.

Mr. Cullen served in World War II. He went into the service after high school. He went through the V5 program and became a fighter pilot. He flew planes off an aircraft carrier in the South Pacific. When he was aboard the carrier, his ship was hit by a Japanese kamikaze/suicide plane, which hit the control center of the ship. He compared this to the suicide planes that hit the World Trade Center on Sept. 11.

He stayed in the reserve while in college on the G.I. Bill. He said that the government was very helpful to returning veterans and paid for their education. After the war, Mr. Cullen got married to Annamarie in 1949. Before Mr. Cullen got married, he told his father of his intentions. His dad asked him how much money he had and he said, "$200." Life was not as materialistic back then. A person did not need as much money at that time to get married.

They have been married for 52 years, and during that time, they had 12 children and 30 grandchildren. Mr. Cullen continued on in the reserve, retiring as a Commander, and also owned a construction company for over 45 years, supporting his large family. Mrs. Cullen worked for many years with her husband in the business. She is presently a secretary working in Senior Services in Catholic Charities.