SIAMO UNA FAMIGLIA
CONGRATULATIONS TO AMHS MEMBER ROBERT D’ONOFRIO AND HIS NEW WIFE LAUREN
Robert D’Onofrio and Lauren Barkay were married on July 22, 2016 at the National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica in Royal Oak, MI. Lauren’s grandfather, Dr. H. John Barkay, walked her down the aisle; and the couple was surrounded by family and friends from 14 different states. A reception followed at the Italian American Cultural Society in Clinton Township, MI with food and dance that paid tribute to their Italian, Greek and Lebanese heritage. The couple will honeymoon in 2017, with plans still to be made.
EMIGRATION ANALYST FROM ABRUZZO HONORED BY AMHS
Goffredo Palmerini, President of the Center for Emigration of the Abruzzo Region, and a leader of other organizations such as the National Association of Families of Emigrants, met with members of AMHS on October 13 and again at midday October 14. The October 13 meeting was a supper with current and past officers of AMHS, and was held at Osteria da Nino.
At the dinner, Goffredo, who affectionately and informally is often referred to as “Ambassador of Abruzzo to the World,” received a certificate of honorary membership to AMHS in recognition of his work on behalf of Abruzzo. Lucio D’Andrea presented the certificate of honorary membership. Goffredo expressed his gratitude, and he eloquently pointed out the uniqueness and beauty of the Italian culture and elaborated on how the love of this culture was carried abroad by Italian immigrants from Abruzzo and elsewhere, and was shared with their descendants, He thinks that this is why there is such a real interest in Italian culture and heritage nowadays. He also mentioned the economic benefits that Abruzzo can derive from closer ties with his children scattered throughout the world, particularly through tourism, and the pride that the Abruzzesi in Italy can feel because of the overall success of their compatriots abroad.
During this meeting there was also some discussion of Goffredo's latest book, Le radici e le ali (The Roots and The Wings) which, like his other work, is a true embodiment of the old saying, honor the past, celebrate the present, and embrace the future. On October 14, Goffredo met with Lucio, Edvige, and Joseph (Joe) D’Andrea, so that he could renew his old acquaintance with Joe, and to reflect on Joe's book “Monongah: 100 Years of Oblivion”, on the Monongah mining disaster of 1907. They also toured Washington National Cathedral, which made quite the impression on Goffredo. Joe was in Washington to attend the NIAF Gala.
He came with Luca Lugini who, with Bernardo Artieri, were studying at the University of L’Aquila at the time of the earthquake in 2009. Goffredo Palmerini was responsible for submitting the proposal to the American Italian Cultural Institute (Joseph D'Andrea, President) and Robert Morris University, for these two students to apply for scholarships to study at Robert Morris. Both students graduated with honors from Robert Morris. Joseph was able to thank Goffredo for his part in making this possible – a success story because the Italian community of Pittsburgh wanted to “invest in the students of L’Aquila”. Goffredo was in the States October 6-18 primarily to officially represent the National Association of Families of Emigrants at the Columbus Day Parade in New York City, but also to meet with representatives of several other Italian-American organizations in New York and New England, and to visit Columbia University, New York University, Queens College and Georgetown University. (submitted by Omero Sabatini with input from Joseph D’Andrea)
MIKE DeBONIS: UP, UP AND AWAY
Some of us have met and talked with an astronaut at one of our previous events, but I am almost certain that until now none of us, except me, has yet seen or spoken with someone who has flown on Air Force One with the President of the United States. And that is exactly what my nephew, and our fellow member, Mike DeBonis did on October 7, and again on October 9. Perhaps many of you know that Mike is a reporter for the Washington Post, and that, in spite of his young age, is steadily gaining national recognition.
He is known by name by several of our nation's leaders including the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and has participated in several national TV talk shows. Regardless, here is how Mike got to be on Air Force One. Every time the President flies anywhere, his press office selects a number of news agencies and asks them to send an overall total of about a dozen journalists and photographers to fly with him on Air Force One as part of a pool of news media members. Well, this time the President's press office asked the Washington Post, and the Post selected Mike. Mike is Abruzzese by way of his grandmother Isabella, and he and his wife Dena attend virtually every AMHS meeting, partly because the memory of his beloved grandmother is indelible in Mike's mind. (submitted by Omero Sabatini).