Two Women....

Today I read two articles, when stood side by side both women mirrored each other, maybe not in style, but in the way they lived their lives. The women are: Eleanor Mondale and Kara Kennedy.

Both women were from prominent political families. Both women campaigned for their fathers, and both women had cancer. Both women lived life on their own terms, with dignity, grace, and a love of life that would not stop them even when several operations for lung cancer sidelined Kara for a while, and an in-operable brain tumor shrunk with chemotherapy and radiation sidelined Eleanor for bit. Both women fought the cancer and won, Kara surviving, accepting the "Presidential Medal of Freedom" for her father. Eleanor turned to radio broadcasting until the cancer reared its ugly head again. Neither woman went down without a fight. 

My heart goes out to both families that lost a daughter, a sister, a mother. The world lost two women who did their very best when faced with adversity. Both women are role models for children of politicians today. Rest in peace Eleanor and Kara. 

Remembering 9/11...

Today is 9/11, it is a day this nation will NEVER, EVER forget. Like those who remember where they were when the attack at Pearl Harbor happened, I know that there is not any one of us who does not remember where we were when this attack happened. Like FDR stated in his famous radio address during WWII, "...this is a day that will live in infamy...". It will, we as Americans have become resilient, we have shown the world that while we are a "melting pot" we are AMERICANS, we fly one flag, we support and defend the constitution of the United States of America, and WE LOVE OUR COUNTRY. 


In know I will never forget where I was, how I felt, how I watched as the second plane hit the second tower. How when I went home I tried calling my cousin who worked for the WTC Properties, but could not reach him, we finally found out a few hours later he was not in the building, thank God. I watched as firefighters, police officers, rushed in while everyone else was rushing out. I watched as the buildings crumbled, crushing everything in it's path, and covering the area with grey blanket of dust. I remember, praying rosary after rosary for those in the buildings, the  people trying to do their jobs, the children who went to school across the street, and in all that carnage I saw the church which stood not damaged in any way. It gave me hope. Hope that there were survivors, hope that whomever did this would be caught. 

Then another report came, a plane crashed into the Pentagon. The Pentagon, the symbol of our armed forces, the symbol of the men and women who choose to put on a uniform and serve OUR country, OUR flag. I watched as firefighters once again rushed in as others ran out. Again, I prayed for survivors.

Then another report, of a plane going down in a field, crashing because four men chose to give up their lives to save another target in Washington, DC. These four men, came together, formed a plan, charged the cockpit knowing that they may not, would not survive but they would save lives. Again, I prayed. 

I called my daughter's school. The school was on "lock down" meaning that all of the school children were together in the gymnasium, some of them not knowing what was going on. But knowing "something" was very wrong. My girlfriend picked up her son and my daughter that day from school, she held both of them tight, that night as she watched the news with my mother and I she asked, "Why?" and I could not give her an answer. Today we know the answer to that question.

I put up my flag that day, I kept it up day and night. I bought socks and t-shirts that were given to the rescue people who came from all over the U.S. to do their part. They worked tirelessly for days and weeks looking for survivors, then looking for the fallen. I watched young men and women walk into recruiting centers to volunteer to serve our country, knowing full well they would be going to a war they may never come back from. I went to prayer services, I held hands with others as we prayed for those lost that day, and for the United States. 

I have not forgotten that day, I truly doubt I ever will. I shaped how I travel, how much has changed when I buy a train ticket. How much the New York skyline has changed. As the new "Freedom Tower" rises like a phoenix from the ashes, I will never forget being a teenager, standing at ground level and looking up at the twin towers at amazement. I will never forget how I feel when I walked by the new site, while it is amazing, for me it reminds me that we will never be "innocent" again.

To the Firefighters, EMT's, Police Officers, & Armed Forces, "THANK YOU". You are all in my thoughts and prayers this day and every day. 

Summer Vacation...

We all have written the essay, "What I Did On My Summer Vacation" at least once or more in our lives. I think I wrote it at least three times in grammar school with the same vacation. As a child growing up we (my family and I) visited with my mother's family in Columbus, Ohio. First of all I need to explain that my grandpa Dominic & my Aunt Rose came to spend summers with our family ever summer from the time I was very little, so the last two weeks of August were spent driving them home, seeing all my relatives, playing, swimming, riding a horse (my very favorite thing of all) and generally having a good time. When it was time to come home I always cried, I loved being in Ohio, to this day, I love visiting there. 

This summer I spent 1-1/2 days driving to southwest Missouri to celebrate my daughter's birthday with her. We spent the first part of our day at the salon having our nails done, and the evening & night at "The Track" in Branson where she and her nieces drove go carts, played laser tag, played arcade games, yes I even played some of the arcade games, bumper cars, and at the end of the evening I watched her & her niece strap themselves into a harness which would live them 100 feet into the air, and drop them. The name of this daredevil ride, "Ozark Mountain Skycaoster". Let me just say that while I admired my daughter's chutzpah at doing this, the mother in me was cringing just a little. Yes she screamed, as did her niece but all was well when they finally slowed down enough to get back to earth. Needless to say this is not for the faint of heart. I enjoyed being in Missouri and spending time with my daughter. I do miss being away from her and being part of her everyday life. But being able to spend time with her, hearing her laugh, knowing she is excelling in school and in life makes us being apart all worthwhile.

While on my return to upstate New York, I stopped in Columbus, Ohio. I was able to spend time with my son (there are NO "steps" in my life or home!) and his mom. We got to spend time talking, laughing, and enjoying a few adult beverages along the way. His mom and I were able to have breakfast together two mornings which was nice because we have become friends over the years. The other two days I spent with a young lady I babysat when I was a teenager, who became a new mom recently. I was able to hold her son, who is a joy. I was able to have supper & dessert with one of my aunts, and visit with another. When I left on Friday morning, I was again feeling the same way as I did as a child, a feeling of leaving the best place on earth (okay so I am not a fan of I-270, the 670 or the 315, but I still love Columbus). 

My summer vacation reminded me that it is nice to take time to visit places of our childhood. Yes it changed, the city is larger, my family has moved from the familiar places where I once played are now new places for me to visit. I drove through Worthington, Short North, Clintonville, Westerville, and by The Ohio State University.

This vacation I spent time doing the things I wanted to do for a change: read a book, watch the sunrise, watch the sunset, drive home leisurely, enjoy my time with my family and friends. Vacations should be this way at least once in a lifetime. 

Sports Legends....

This blog was originally written the weekend of Jeter's 3000th. I didn't realize it never got posted!!! Sorry

This weekend Derek Jeter, of the NY Yankees did something no other Yankee had ever done, made 3,000 hits while wearing the only uniform he ever has, pinstripes. While you could see he was overjoyed in having done so, his celebration on the field and off were low-key, jsut as everything he does is. While many of my friends who know me, know that while I don't embrace the Yankee's as my favorite team, I do however possess a certain fondness for Mr. Jeter. He is truly a gentleman.

Another of my favorites is Cal Ripken Jr., while many players don a uniform and play, he played every game because it was his "job". He missed the birth of a child, because it was his "job" to be with his team. He treated playing baseball, which in his own words he "loves" as his job.

David Beckham, while I really do not follow soccer, or the scandal sheets. I do know he is married to one of the "Spice Girls". They both have appeared on the covers of magazines, more because of their celebrity, and less because of gossip.

Serena & Venus Williams, are two women all girls should look up to. While being extremely talented on  the tennis court, they are sucessful off of it as well. On occassion one might read about them being seen at a posh restaurant or nightclub.

It is too bad that more of our children's heroes could not be more like these sports firgures. With money comes great responsibility. 

I am Italian-American

Next time you're watching a rerun of the Sopranos and think Italian-Americans are all about organized crime remember this (see below) .

I am an Italian American 

My roots are deep in an ancient soil, drenched by the Mediterranean sun, and watered by pure streams from snow capped mountains. I am enriched by thousands of years of culture.

My hands are those of the mason, the artist, the man of the soil.

My thoughts have been recounted in the annals of Rome, the poetry of Virgil, the creations of Dante, and the philosophy of Benedetto Croce.

I am an Italian-American, and from my ancient world, I first spanned the seas to the New World. I am Cristoforo Colombo.

I am Giovanni Caboto known in American History as John Cabot, discoverer of the mainland of North America.

I am Amerigo Vespucci, who gave my name to the New World, America

First to sail on the Great Lakes in 1679, founder of the territory that became the State of Illinois, colonizer of Louisiana and Arkansas, I am Enrico Tonti.

I am Filippo Mazzei friend of Thomas Jefferson, and my thesis on the equality of man was written into the Bill of Rights.

I am William Paca, signer of the Declaration of Independence.

I am an Italian-American; I financed the Northwest Expedition of George Rogers Clark and accompanied him through the lands that would become Ohio, Indiana, Wisconsin and Michigan. I am Colonel Francesco Vigo.

I mapped the Pacific from Mexico to Alaska and to the Philippines, I am Alessandro Malaspina.

I am Giacomo Belinimi, discoverer of the source of the Mississippi River in 1823.

I created the Dome of the United States Capitol. They call me the Michelangelo of America. I am Constantino Brumidi.

In 1904, I founded in San Francisco, the Bank of Italy now known as the Bank of America, the largest financial institution in the world, I am A.P. Giannini.

I am Enrico Fermi, father of nuclear science in America.

I am Steve Geppi, founder of Diamond Comics, the largest distributorship of comics on the planet.

I am the first enlisted man to earn the Medal of Honor in World War II; I am John Basilone of New Jersey.

I am an Italian-American.

I am the million strong who served in America's armies and the tens of thousands whose names are enshrined in military cemeteries from Guadalcanal to the Rhine.

I am the steel maker in Pittsburgh, the grower in the Imperial Valley of California, the textile designer in Manhattan, the movie maker in Hollywood, the homemaker and the breadwinner in over 10,000 communities.

I am an American without stint or reservation, loving this land as only one who understands history, its agonies and its triumphs can love and serve it.

I will not be told that my contribution is any less nor my role not as worthy as that of any other American.

I will stand in support of this nation's freedom and protect against all foes.

My heritage has dedicated me to this nation. I am proud of my heritage, and I shall remain worthy of it.

I am an Italian-American.

~~~Many thanks to Sal Scalice who wrote this on his Facebook wall.~~

 I borrowed it because it is important to me that people know that being Italian-American is way more than "The Godfather", "The Soprano's", "Mafia" or anything else related to crime. It is a feeling of family, whether you live in Brooklyn, Chicago, Kansas City, St. Louis, or like me Syracuse, NY. It is the one thing no matter what part of Italy your parents, grand parents, great-grand parents came from you understand that "family" is just that, "family". We sit down to Sunday dinner together, talk loudly about the weeks events, share a meal that may include: Antipasti, Pasta, Wine, Italian Bread, Meatballs, Sausage, Sauce (or Gravy) depending on where you are from, Wine (Homemade is best!), laughter, friendship, and love. 

POLITICAL DISSATISFACTION...

"Poll: 79 percent of Americans dissatisfied with U.S. political system" it took a poll to tell me or anyone else that??? I didn't think so. The so called powers that be in Washing ton "think" they are doing a "good" job. I forgot, they were thinking again--of themselves, their cronies, their earmarks, their own agendas while everyday Americans are left holding the bag. Talk about holding the bag, before you leave office, you need to write a check (make sure it DOES NOT BOUNCE!) for the amount equal to what you placed into your "golden parachute" made payable to the Social Security Administration. Then you can write another check to your constituents for all of the money you spent without having their best interests in mind. 

WAKE UP WASHINGTON....Your days in office have a number on them, and for some of you there, after November 8th, you will need to clean out your desk, give out pink slips to your aids, administrative staff, and driver only making the unemployment figures go higher. But did you care about that while you were making deals, throwing parties, missing votes, and lining your pockets? I did not think so. But change will do you good. However, I truly doubt corporate America is ready for anyone as lazy as you. You see when you work for corporate America, you only get paid for the time you actually sit at your desk (or machine if you work on the line), get an hour for lunch,  one to two weeks per year vacation, and you may have to pay for your benefits (most employers cannot afford what you did to the healthcare system). By the way, you will have to navigate streets, subways, bike paths, or however you are getting to work. This means, being late doesn't cut it. If I have to be to work at 8:00 a.m. sharp so do you! There is no one to fetch your coffee, get your lunch, dry cleaning, send your wife flowers, or walk your dog. You see you made this bed, now lie in it!!! 

WASHINGTON, HEED THIS WARNING....LIKE THE BOB DYLAN SONG STATES, "...times they are a changing...". YOU HAVE BANKRUPTED THIS COUNTRY WITH YOUR SPENDING, YOUR LAVISH WAYS, AND VACATIONS. THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE TIRED OF HAVING TO WORK OVERTIME TO FEED THEIR FAMILIES, PAY BILLS, KEEP THEIR HOMES, CARS, PUT A CHILD (or CHILDREN) THROUGH COLLEGE. MANY PEOPLE ARE BARELY SCRAPING BY, WHILE OTHERS FEEL THEY ARE ENTITLED TO FOOD STAMPS WHILE CONTINUING TO DRIVE BMW'S, CADILLAC'S, LEXUS', MERCEDES, AND DRESSING BETTER THAN THE PEOPLE TAKING THEIR APPLICATIONS. WHAT ABOUT ALL OF THE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WHO CONTINUE TO COLLECT SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS WITHOUT EVER HAVING PAID INTO THEM?

Military Retirement Cut to 25%

This is a re-post from an ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE MEMBER: "The government took the militaries retirement plan... only get 25% now and it works towards your 401K that you cant touch until you're 68....no more 20 years and retire... :: MEANWHILE :: the politicians send us to war... make 6 figures & still get their 90% when they decide to retire... DAMN AMERICA ( more specifically DC .... ) You have brought me to a loss of words this time !"

Isn't it amazing that the people we elect have done this to the very people who keep us free? I think we need to re-visit this issue with our Congressmen & Senators to set them straight....THEY wear a uniform, THEY are proud to serve us, the AMERICAN people, THEY DESERVE EVERY DIME they receive in benefits and more. RETIRING members of our military should receive what they are entitled to which is: 50% of their active duty pay, PERIOD; lifetime medical and accessibility to any military installation to shop, watch a movie, bowl, golf, or have coffee with friends.

When are we going to learn America that those in Washington are out serve themselves, not the people that elected them. NO, I do not mean those who actually work, vote and do the right thing for their constituents. I am a firm believer in taking out the trash, I believe it is time we do so!!!

Now I will put away my soapbox...