CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS HONORED AT COLORFUL UNION STATION CEREMONY

AMHS was well represented at the annual ceremony to honor Christopher Columbus held at Union Station in Washington, D.C. on October 10, 2016. The colorful and impressive ceremony took place on a beautiful, sunny fall day in front of the statue of the great explorer erected in 1912. The U.S. Marine Band provided the musical tribute, playing the national anthems of Italy, the Bahamas and the United States. The Knights of Columbus came out in full force in their colorful regalia, carrying the flags, and added to the pageantry.

The annual event was organized by the National Christopher Columbus Association (NCCA) in collaboration with the National Park Service and with the involvement of many fraternal, civic and cultural associations including the Lido Civic Club, lodges of the Sons of Italy and National Italian American Foundation (NIAF). Proclamations by President Barack Obama and D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser were read, and remarks were given by the featured speakers including NCCA President James P. McCusker, Catherine Flumiani, in charge of Consular and Social Affairs at the Italian Embassy, and Eugene Newry, Ambassador of the Bahamas. Another highlight of the event was the award given to the firstprize winner of the essay contest conducted by NIAF and the Daughters of the American Revolution.

The winner was Megan Meer, a 10th grader from Pittsburgh, PA, whose winning essay was on the topic “Columbus and Lindbergh: A Journey across the Atlantic.” AMHS was one of the advertisers in the program book, which also included an informative article on “Columbus and Slavery.” The ceremony concluded with the presentation of the floral wreaths and the singing of “America the Beautiful” and “God Bless America.” Such a fitting tribute to the Great Discoverer!! And the day before, Holy Rosary Church had its own Columbus ceremony, following a noon Mass in commemoration of the great discoverer.

Father Ezio Marchetto gave the invocation as the speakers, guests and parishioners gathered in Casa Italiana. The ceremony was emceed by Tony Falcone, and Maria Marigliano, Holy Rosary choir director and AMHS member, sang a beautiful song at the conclusion of the event. (Due to the ongoing construction project, the Columbus statue that was donated by the Lido Civic Club, in 1992, has been temporarily relocated).