SIAMO UNA FAMIGLIA

Francesco Isgrò Honored By Italian Government

Francesco Isgro (left) receives the Star of Italy from Italian Embassy official Catherine Flumiani.

AMHS member Francesco Isgrò was recently awarded the title of Cavaliere dell’Ordine della Stella d’Italia (Knight of the Order of the Star of Italy). The honor recognizes individuals from Italy or elsewhere, who have earned special merit in preserving and promoting Italian “national prestige abroad. ” The official award ceremony on February 17 was limited in attendance due to Covid-19 restrictions. During the ceremony at the Embassy of Italy, the award was bestowed by Minister Plenipotentiary Catherine Flumiani, with First Counselor Domenico Bellantone also participating. Francesco’s award cited his volunteer work for the Italian and Italian-American community in the Washington, D.C. area and beyond to promote Italian culture.

His activities include serving for 14 years as executive editor of Voce Italiana, serving as a former president of the Lido Civic Club and chairman of its Scholarship Committee, and his current role as president of the Casa Italiana Sociocultural Center, which oversees the new Italian American Museum of Washington, D.C. (IAMDC). In short, Francesco, together with his wife Anna, has played a role in just about everything noteworthy happening in our community in recent years. In accepting the award, Francesco said he will treasure this distinction, adding “thank you to my family, colleagues and friends who have helped me along the way.” Complimenti e congratulazioni, Francesco

Former AMHS President Loses Relative to COVID

Former AMHS President Omero Sabatini recently received the sad news that Erdo Graziani, husband of his cousin, Maria Simone, died on December 22, 2020, having contracted the coronavirus infection COVID-19. Erdo was 96 and came from Secinaro, L’Aquila in Abruzzo. He was an active member of the Secinaro Club of the Detroit Metropolitan Area. He was predeceased by his wife and is survived by two daughters, several grandchildren, and numerous  relatives in the United States, Italy and Venezuela. Omero noted that Maria’s immediate family in Italy owns the land around a small lake in the Secinaro municipality, formed when a meteorite hit that spot in the 4th or 5th century. ❚