Once upon a time my parents took us--my sister, brother, and me--to the movie theater. I don't remember the title of the film, but I do remember this: when the National Anthem played my father stood up in attention, and we all followed his lead. We were the only ones in the theater to stand, each one of us with our hand over our heart. I remember feeling a little exposed--I was, after all, a young teenager burdened with all that teenage angst--but mostly what I remember feeling was pride. Pride for my dad, for our country, and for the fact we were the only ones in the movie theater to stand during the National Anthem ...
Our sons love to hear stories of their Nonno when he was in the Military -- stories like his grueling training as one of the oldest guys in OCS (Officer Candidate School); how he met my Mom while stationed in Verona and courted her; the time he forcibly removed a fellow (drunken) officer who was being offensive to a woman at a dinner party; or the stories (some of them truly frightening) of when he served at the Demilitarized Zone in Pamunjon, Korea when tensions between the North and South Korea were at an all time high.
Then there was the unbelievable coincidence of being interviewed and photographed by an Italian journalist sent to do a story on the tensions in Korea, with the feature article subsequently published in Italy (with photos of him and extensive quotes) to the incredible joy and pride of our Italian relatives (my Nonna carried the magazine with her and showed it to everyone).
And our boys are very impressed that he can still tap out messages in Morse Code.
We love you, Dad.
We love you, Nonno.
We're all very proud of you.
Our sons love to hear stories of their Nonno when he was in the Military -- stories like his grueling training as one of the oldest guys in OCS (Officer Candidate School); how he met my Mom while stationed in Verona and courted her; the time he forcibly removed a fellow (drunken) officer who was being offensive to a woman at a dinner party; or the stories (some of them truly frightening) of when he served at the Demilitarized Zone in Pamunjon, Korea when tensions between the North and South Korea were at an all time high.
Then there was the unbelievable coincidence of being interviewed and photographed by an Italian journalist sent to do a story on the tensions in Korea, with the feature article subsequently published in Italy (with photos of him and extensive quotes) to the incredible joy and pride of our Italian relatives (my Nonna carried the magazine with her and showed it to everyone).
And our boys are very impressed that he can still tap out messages in Morse Code.
We love you, Dad.
We love you, Nonno.
We're all very proud of you.
10 comments:
My father was with the Army in Korea and I will be forever proud of him. I miss him this day a little more than I usually do.
Blessings to your family.
Amazing pictures Bia!!
We are all proud to have a special uncle in USA!!
See you soon Dwight and happy Veteran Day!!
Your nephews half italian and half canadian.
Maria, noi abbiamo ancora l'articolo pubblicato sulla rivista italiana. Se non ce l'hai, ti mando una scansione!!
Le foto sono bellissime e in una preziosa scatola di fotografie della nonna, ci sono tutte!
Bacioni
Dear Maria,
Thank you very much. You are also very special to me (as are your younger sister and brother) Love, Dad
Mi sono commossa rivedendo le foto. Dwight era ed è un super fustone e noi tutti siamo orgogliosi di lui e di quello che ha fatto.
Ti ringraziamo caro Dwight e ringraziamo anche tutti quei giovani che sono morti e che ogni giorno rischiano la loro giovane vita nel nome della libertà.
Per noi hai sempre rappresentato il "grande sogno americano" e anche per questo sei il nostro eroe.
Dad, I am always so proud to tell people that "My Dad is retired military." We love you!
mammamia che bello che sei Dwight!!!!! anche io voglio sentire qualche bella storia!!! per esempio di quando eri in Korea!!!!! l'aspetto l'anno prossimo!!!!!!!!!! ciaoooooo!!!!!!
mammamia che bello che sei Dwight!!!!! anche io voglio sentire qualche bella storia!!! per esempio di quando eri in Korea!!!!! l'aspetto l'anno prossimo!!!!!!!!!! ciaoooooo!!!!!!
Please extend our appreciation to Nonno, too! So handsome in his uniform. :)
I love these photos, what a great family you are to celebrate your Dad's military service. My husband was in the Navy and we really love to shower our appreciation of that on Veterans Day!
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