Congressman Brian Higgins presented Korean War veteran Angelo Ciraolo, of Niagara Falls, with the medals he earned while serving in the U.S. Army 69 years ago. Ciraolo was born in Grotte, Sicily, in 1928. At the age of 2, he and his mother, Diegia, came to the U.S., joining Ciraolo’s father, Philip, in search of a better life. Like many Italian immigrants, the family settled into the section of Niagara Falls later known as “Little Italy.”

The family built a house on 18th Street and Ciraolo attended Niagara Falls High School. After the Korean War broke out, on Dec. 12, 1950, Ciraolo joined the Army. Family members soon followed, with brothers Patsy and Vincent both providing dedicated service in the military, as well.