Transcript of Memorial Day Speech, May 26, 2008, Memorial Gardens, Naples:

My Father the War Veteran

Thank you for the opportunity to speak before you on this hallow day to commemorate and honor those who have served our county so that we might continue to enjoy a life of security and freedom. Today is special day for many of us for many different reasons. Today 63 years after the end of WWII I would like to share with you one veteran’s experiences.

My father was born in 1915 in Elmira, NY. His parents were immigrants from Italy who move to America in pursuit of a better life. He grew up during the depression and demonstrated an ability to master several languages and received an Art scholarship to NYC University. He married my Mother in 1939 and I was born in 1942. His life as well as many other men and women at that time, was caught up in beginning of WWII. The Army recognized his unique talents in speaking four languages and trained him to serve in the military intelligence. He served in the European theater were he spent a good part of this career behind enemy lines gathering intelligence and organizes the resistance.