WTI Magazine #45    2014 October, 15
Author : Umberto Mucci      Translation by:

At this time, you all should have been read tons of words about Columbus Day. I know. But this has been my first one, and this is what I'd like to talk about in the editorial of this number of We the Italians magazine. I am in New York, and then I'll be in New Jersey, Ohio and Illinois, to meet people and organizations that have an important role in representing Italy in the US. Days go by with strict schedules and very important and interesting meetings.

But the center of this tip has been for me the Columbus Parade in Manhattan, New York. I have to thank Josephine Maietta, President of the Association of Italian American Educators, who invited to march with her association; and our representative in New York, William Liani, who has solved the logistic problems and marched with me and our banner ... let me tell you, it has been AMAZING.

Now, most of our readers have probably attended at least one, but I guess many, Columbus Parade. They are spreaded all over the US, and they've been going on for years. But for me, this has been the debut. While I was marching, my thoughts would go to the fact that I was celebrating many country in the most important and attended event dedicated to that. Being surrounded by people dressed with "tricolore", happy and proud to show their being Italians ... this is not something you see in Italy, unfortunately. The crowd, those who were marching, the smiles, the flags ... being in the parade as an Italian who lives in Italy, loves Italy, and is proud to be Italian, is something that I'll never forget. It made me happy, it gave me hope, it confirmed me how much love for Italy we will always find in America. Two flags, one heart, as our payoff proudly says.

Columbus Day is under attack in Seattle. As an Italian who lives in a country that not always celebrates its best historical heroes, I and We the Italians will be instrumental to every effort to help the Italian American community defending its heritage and what they have been giving and everyday give to the United States. We are hosting our home page the Save Columbus Day banner launched by John Viola, President of NIAF: please visit s, click on the banner, sign the petition, save Columbus Day!

That's all for now. So stay tuned, fasten your seat belt and enjoy the ride. The future's so bright, we gotta wear shades!