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Launched in 2020 to remember the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II, NIAF is recognizing Italian Americans who sacrificed, served and defended peace, freedom and democracy during the war through the #IAWW2Heroes initiative.  This entry is a special submission from John Messina in honor of his late grandfather. Giuseppe (Joe) Messina was bo...

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Launched in 2020 to remember the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II, NIAF is recognizing Italian Americans who sacrificed, served and defended peace, freedom and democracy during the war through the #IAWW2Heroes initiative. This entry is a special submission from Nancy Federico in honor of her late father. Antonio (Tony) Francis Federico w...

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Benjamin Portaro is closing in on a milestone achieved by fewer than 1% of Americans: He will mark his 100th birthday next month. But it almost ended 76 years ago for the Harrison Countian who was born in Italy, came to Anmoore as a toddler and went on to fight for the United States in the Battle of the Bulge. It was in that desperate fight to stop...

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Patrick Tropea sings karaoke, creates beaded poodles to sell for St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, plays cards and bocce. What is unique is he does all this as he prepares to turn 100 Feb. 26. Certainly the pandemic has kept him home, other than going to routine doctor appointments and venturing out to get the coronavirus vaccine. But girlfriend Paul...

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A granite monument in the farmlands of Kansas has revived a forgotten history for the descendants of one of Lyndhurst’s favorite sons. Dedicated Saturday afternoon outside of Hill City, Kansas, just north of small town called Bogue, the oversize tombstone pays tribute to Lt. Paul Capaccio and five other U.S. Army airmen. The six died roughly one mi...

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Launched in 2020 to remember the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II, NIAF is recognizing Italian Americans who sacrificed, served and defended peace, freedom and democracy during the war through the #IAWW2Heroes initiative. This entry is a special submission from Submitted by Anthony Jr. and Janine Venezia in honor of their father. Anthony...

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One of six children, Louis (Lou) Mirabelli was born in Chicago. His parents, Enrico and Mariane (Mirabelli) Mirabelli, emigrated from Cosenza. The growing family moved from apartment to apartment in the vicinity of Taylor Street and Hermitage. “It seemed like every time the people would raise the rent, my father would say, ‘OK, let’s pick up our fu...

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An 81-year-old former Alpine veteran who won plaudits for serenading his COVID-affected wife outside her hospital window in November is now entertaining his fellow COVID patients in another nearby clinic near the northern Italian town of Piacenza. The former member of the crack 'Black Plumes' regiment, Stefano Bozzini, is playing his accordion for...

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Launched in 2020 to remember the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II, NIAF is recognizing Italian Americans who sacrificed, served and defended peace, freedom and democracy during the war through the #IAWW2Heroes initiative.  This entry is a special submission from Max Scoli, who is currently a Senior at the University of Michigan in honor...

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To remember the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II, NIAF is recognizing Italian Americans who sacrificed, served and defended peace, freedom and democracy during the war. This entry is a special submission from Timothy Garille in honor of his father. “My father, [George Garille] told me that out family was living in Hoboken, N.J., and list...

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