Today a great American is being laid to rest. He wasn’t famous for being a military, political or business leader. He was famous for just being an incredible father. My father was like millions of fathers across America who possessed unique traits, which seem alien to many people today. To understand my father you would first have to know the background that he came from.
My father was born in Italy to a wealthy family, but after Fascism came to his country it ruined his family. At the age of fourteen he lost both of his parents but cared for by his loving aunt. At age sixteen he went to work in the shipyards to help support his family before enlisting in the Italian navy. During World War II he served on an Italian battleship, which found him fighting in many horrendous battles in the Mediterranean, including the Battle of Taranto. This is the battle in which the Japanese studied extensively planning the attack on Pearl Harbor.
After the war, my father immigrated to the United States with very limited English, the clothes on his back and only a grade school education. Thus he began his life in America. At that time there was no language assistance. You either learned the language and adapted or you struggled with day-to-day life. However, he learned English by going to the movies and having his willingness to speak the language.
Like millions of other fathers across America, he raised his family, paid his taxes and went to Little League games. However, the most influential aspects he did was teach his children if you want something you have to earn it, nobody will give you something for nothing.
My father, with his limited education, placed a premium on education. He wanted his children to have a better life than he did. He realized education was the ticket to a better tomorrow. Therefore, his diligence in having his children educated or have a skill which would be marketable.
The values my father instilled in us was to have a strong work ethic, a concept which seems alien to some of today’s generation. But to him this proved an invaluable lesson to us as we perused our career choices.
He gave back to America by bringing his culture, determination to thrive, and teaching his children the honor of being an American. Three of his sons served the United States Military in major combat operations to include Lebanon, Grenada, the Persian Gulf, Iraq, and Afghanistan. One is still proudly serving in the United States Marines.
A great American is being laid to rest today. He symbolized the millions of fathers across the nation who instill determination, pride and family values in their children. America needs more fathers like mine!
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