The Amerigo Vespucci Society (AVS) of Long Branch - New Jersey, held its annual Tripe Dinner this past October 21st. The historic traditional dinner originally began over 60 years ago by the late Thomas Gagliano Sr., a stone mason who arrived from the small town of Miglierina which is located in the province of Catanzaro in the Calabria region of Italy.

He settled in Long Branch - New Jersey and built a house in 1925, on the corner of Rockwell Avenue and Vanderveer Place. His son, the late S. Thomas Gagliano, was a retired attorney and a former New Jersey State Senator. The Senator and his sons would participate in the annual tripe event each year which has grown into a local 'who's-who' in the community.

This year, the Gagliano sons honored their late father (Senator Gagliano) once again by attending the dinner which the society held specifically in the month of October to celebrate Italian-American Heritage month.

This year's event was special according to AVS President Joseph Mossa who stated, "The 'Gagliano Family Tripe Dinner' was once again held during Italian Heritage month. Our society cherishes the celebration of all things Italian, including this historic society dinner." Society Vice President, Frank Crupi, Esquire stated, "events such as this remind us of the traditions that Italian immigrants who legally came to the United States brought with them. Without the knowledge of the English language and without significant education or resources they persevered. They were close to their faith and their families while facing cruel discrimination and economic hardships." Society member Michael Veritas stated, "I was very close to the late Senator Gagliano and attending this dinner is a way for me to honor him and his family. He was a role model to many of us." Tom Gagliano's son John stated, "My father is surely looking down with pride, knowing we are keeping his tradition and the tradition of our grandfather alive."

Dignitaries and VIP's that attended includes New Jersey Superior Court Judge Albert Rescinio, Monmouth County Commissioner Director Thomas A. Arnone, Monmouth County Commissioner Ross Licitra, Monmouth County Commissioner Dominick “Nick” DiRocco, Monmouth County Fire Marshal Fred Migliaccio, Long Branch City Mayor John Pallone, Long Branch City Councilman Mario Vieira, Ocean Township Councilman Rob Acerra Sr., Aberdeen-Matawan Municipal Judge Michael Celli, Father John K. Butler (Pastor of Saint Michael's Roman Catholic Parish in Long Branch NJ), and Father Anthony Sirianni (Pastor at St. Helena Roman Catholic School and Church in Edison NJ) who led the group in prayer, actor Joseph R Gannascoli (who played the fictional character Vito Spatafore on the HBO series The Sopranos), and last but not least the Gagliano family.

AVS Board Member Joseph Sirianni was the head of the kitchen detail this year. Joseph was assisted by several fellow AVS members, including AVS President Joseph Mossa, Joe "Chief" Valentino, Frank DeVito, Joseph Valentino, Fred Migliaccio, Carmine Tarantino, Frank Valentino, John Nastasi, and Jeff Federici. While tripe is the main course the meal also included an antipasto, a pasta dish, cheese cake, and cannoli's & cookies supplied by Caputo's Pastry Shoppe (located in Long Branch New Jersey), coffee, espresso, and an abundance of various Italian wines and spirits.

For those who aren't familiar with Tripe, it's the lining of the cow's stomach. Cooking the tripe, over 120 pounds (54 kilograms) of it, involves a long process which includes the soaking of the tripe, cleaning it, cutting it up, and then boiling it. Of course the Tripe is then added to homemade Italian tomato sauce and some diced vegetables for that extra great flavor. The process of cleaning the tripe alone can take up to half a day. Chef Sirianni takes artistic liberty and puts his own unique spin on the dish and adds ingredients to accentuate the flavors. Chef Sirianni stated, "Leading the effort in the kitchen for this event is a large task. Preparing dinner for one hundred men while honoring the tradition and legacy of Tom Gagliano is special. Being one hundred percent Italian gives me the motivation and willingness to do all I can to make the event special." The event provides an opportunity for the guests, mostly of Italian heritage, to join together for an evening of authentic traditional southern Italian food. Many also take advantage of bringing plenty of their own homemade wines. The room was filled with laughter, stories, and tradition. Many of the men who attended fondly remember attending this event with their fathers and grandfathers.

The AVS takes its name from the famous 15th century Italian explorer and map maker. The AVS has a long history dating back to its founding members in 1875 who all originated from Calabria Italy. The organization was originally established as a mutual aid society where Italian men could congregate, escape from discrimination and anti-Italianism that began during the period of large-scale Italian immigration during the late 19th century. Since that time the society members have made it a priority to assist each other and their families when there was/is no other place to turn. Today, the AVS continues to be a mutual aid society as well as a 501(c)3 organization assisting individuals and organizations in the community and providing educational scholarships. They are active in combating pervasive negative stereotyping and defamation of Italian Americans in the media and promote the extraordinary history and accomplishments of Italians and Italian-Americans. They also promote the admiration, general appreciation and love of Italy, its culture, society, arts and people. The AVS joins other local and national organizations in promoting Italo-philia and combating anti-Italianism.