“They stand out,” said Matthew Virta, the Cultural Resources Program Manager for the George Washington Memorial Parkway. “You can see them shining in the sun.”

Two decades passed between the selection of the American sculptors and the dedication of the statues on Sept. 26, 1951. Without Italy’s gift, it’s uncertain what their fate would have been.

The Commission of Fine Arts developed the idea for unique works to complete the Arlington Memorial Bridge Plaza in 1929. Through a contest, they selected Leo Friedlander and James Earle Fraser as the sculptors in 1931.

The works were originally intended to be made from granite, but the plan was scrapped because of high costs during the Great Depression. Bronze became the decided substitute but the process was delayed again with the onset of World War II. Both artists finally completed full-size plaster models in 1938.

The models sat in storage until 1949 when Alberto Tarchiani, the Italian Ambassador to the United States, decided that Italy would take on the responsibility of casting and gilding the statues as “a gesture of good will.” The models were then crated and transported on two ships that left the port of New York between the end of 1949 and beginning of 1951.

One was sent to Naples, another to Rome, a third to Milan, and the final one to Florence. It took 14 months to complete the application of a “fire-gilt” finish on each of the statues. Virta said that because the statues were intended for outdoors, it was recommended that they be gilded in gold because bronze develops a patina.

“The fact that they were gilded keeps them bold,” he said.

After being returned to America, the statues have sat in their permanent home on the Arlington Memorial Bridge Plaza since June 19, 1951

Maintained by the National Park Service, the statues are cleaned every several years, but have weathered extensively. A recent architectural study completed for the Park Service by John G. Waites Associates proposed a plan to re-gild the statues, but right now it isn’t in the budget.

“Unfortunately some of the estimates were quite high and the park competes for funding,” Virta said.

Each of the four statues represents a theme of war and peace. The statues of Valor and Sacrifice sculpted by Friedlander mark the entrance to the Arlington Memorial Bridge.

The statues of Music and Harvest, and Aspiration and Literature, both sculpted by Fraser, sit at the entrance to Rock Creek Park.

For more information, check out the original Program of Ceremonies for the dedication of The Equestrian Statues from 1951 or visit the National Park Service’s history website for more information on the statuary.

The Alzheimer’s Association is a Sons of Italy® national charity, supported every year by contributions raised through Sons of Italy® members, special events and other fund-raising campaigns. This check was given as part of OSIA and the Sons of Italy Foundation’s pledge to give a second million dollars to combat Alzheimer’s disease.

Mr. DiTrapani, president of insurance brokerage agency Professional Group Marketing, Inc., was elected by acclamation and re-installed as OSIA’s National President on August 13.

Vincent Sarno of New Jersey, who served as OSIA National President from 2005-2007, was elected to lead the Sons of Italy Foundation (SIF), OSIA’s philanthropic branch, for a second term. Established in 1959, the SIF has raised more than $117 million for educational scholarships, medical research, disaster relief, cultural preservation and other special projects.

Santina Haemmerle of New York was also chosen for a second term as president of the Commission for Social Justice (CSJ), OSIA’s anti-defamation branch. The CSJ fights the stereotyping of Italian Americans by the U.S. entertainment, advertising, and media industries. It also collaborates with other groups to ensure that people of all races, religions and cultures are treated with dignity and respect.

Read about the other officers elected, and more on the National Convention.

“Even in the darkest moments of European history,” recalled Italian Ambassador Giulio Terzi di Sant’Agata, “brave and honest men, who perhaps mightn’t have been capable of extraordinary deeds in ordinary circumstances, were able to fight, were able to use the weapons of their strengths, their integrity and their intelligence to oppose what was wrong and inhuman.”

In Washington, Ambassador Terzi opened the screening of “50 Italians – The men who saved 50,000 Jewish lives,” a feature-length documentary by director Flaminia Lubin about how 50 high-ranking Italian diplomats and generals helped Jews escape Hitler’s “final solution.”

Remembrance Day events were planned for Italian Consulates and Cultural Institutes in major U.S. cities including New York, Philadelphia, and Boston.

– Information courtesy the Embassy of Italy Press Office, Washington, D.C.

Mr. Grano was the 2004 recipient of the Sons of Italy Foundation’s National Education & Leadership Award.

Read the full New York Times article.

Through the Sons of Italy Foundation® (SIF) and more than 650 state and local lodges, the Order Sons of Italy in America® (OSIA) has awarded nearly $50 million in scholarships to date.

Each year, the SIF offers 10 to 12 merit-based scholarships (National Leadership Grants), ranging from $5,000 to $25,000, in a nationwide competition. Scholarships fall into two categories: General Study Scholarships and Study Abroad / Special Scholarships.

Applications are screened by education professionals. Final selection is made by OSIA’s National Education Committee. Scholarship recipients only will be notified of their award. Monetary awards are presented directly to students’ academic institutions in accordance with eligibility requirements.

General Eligibility  U.S. citizens of Italian descent (at least one Italian or Italian American grandparent) enrolled in an under­graduate or graduate program at a four-year, accredited academic institution for the 2011 Fall term. Previous SIF scholarship winners are not eligible. Please note: Additional eligibility requirements may apply to specific scholarships. Be sure to check the eligibility requirements for each scholarship for which you wish to apply.

General Guidelines  The SIF scholarships offered through this program require an application packet that includes: an application form, official transcripts through the December 2010 term, official standardized test scores for the past 5 years (i.e., ACT, SAT), and a non-refundable processing fee. Important: All SIF scholarships offered also require additional application materials. You must check the requirements for each scholarship to be sure your application packet is complete. No incomplete application packets will be considered. All application packets must be postmarked by February 28, 2011 to be considered. STOP! Before applying for any Sons of Italy Foundation Scholarship, check all scholarship eligibility and application requirements.

Questions?  Call 202.547.5106 or email scholarships@osia.org.

Kindly review all eligibility and application guidelines closely before contacting us.

Sons of Italy Foundation
219 E Street, NE
Washington, DC 20002
202.547.5106 | scholarships@osia.org

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fiyxq23peo&feature=youtu.be&a

Short Rossi and Crew

“Now its time to score one for the Italians!” On the East coast, actress, singer-songwriter, composer, and active New York OSIA Member JoAnn Robertozzi, was nominated for an Emmy Award. October 14, Robertozzi was nominated by the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for her score of the documentary film, 5,000 Miles From Home. Robertozzi is part of the girl group, Tre Bella and a familiar face from a myriad of national television commercials, films, and print ads. Jim Distasio and Paul M. Basile, the writers of the film, hired Robertozzi who chose the talented singer/songwriter AllisonTartalia to assist her with the project. “The project was a total challenge and a huge blessing”, admits Robertozzi.  “We had only a two week window to write and produce the score. These men had a passion and pride for this country that was undeniable.” The film was made possible by the Italian American Veterans Museum and Library in Chicago, IL. For more information contact www.joannrobertozzi.com or call 347.992.8338. For information about the film log onto www.5000milesfromhome.com

JoAnn Robertozzi

Washington, D.C., September 15, 2010 – Leaders of the Order Sons of Italy in America (OSIA) and its philanthropic arm, the Sons of Italy Foundation (SIF), presented $235,000  to Fondazione Il Cireneo Onlus per L’Autismo to rebuild a center for children with autism devastated by the April 2009 earthquake in L’Aquila, Italy.

OSIA CEO Philip Piccigallo, Ph.D., OSIA National President Joseph DiTrapani and SIF President Vincent Sarno view the foundation for the new center for autistic children in L'Aquila.

The presentation took place during a visit to Italy on September 9th by OSIA National President Joseph J. DiTrapani, SIF President Vincent Sarno and OSIA National Executive Director/CEO Philip R. Piccigallo, Ph.D.

“When the earthquake hit, we knew immediately what we had to do. Within hours, we organized a fund-raising campaign and our members and supporters stepped up to the task,” said SIF President Sarno. “Upon hearing about the destruction of the Fondazione Il Cireneo center in L’Aquila, we saw the opportunity to make a significant impact on a very special group of children and their families.”
  

Fondazione Il Cireneo Onus per l’Autismo is a non-profit organization that has established and operates four centers for children and young adults with autism in the Abruzzo region. The foundation was formed by a group of parents who thought centers, rather than institutions, could better help their children with autism.* When the 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck on April 6, the Fondazione’s facility in L’Aquila was destroyed, along with much of the ancient Italian town.

The OSIA delegation toured L’Aquila and met with representatives of Fondazione Il Cireneo Onlus. OSIA was also honored at a public ceremony with residents of  L’Aquila in attendance, including parents of the children who will attend the new center. The group concluded its visit with a tour of the new site for the facility, estimated to be completed within the year.

SIF President Sarno (left) and OSIA National President DiTrapani present OSIA/SIF check for $235,000 to Germana Sorge, President of Fondazione Il Cireneo Onlus per L'Autismo at the Regional Council Building in L'Aquila.

In presenting a check for $235,000 to Fondazione Il Cireneo Onlus, National President DiTrapani said he “was certain that OSIA’s 600,000 family members would be pleased with their contribution.” He added that OSIA “proudly joined the Ronald McDonald Charities and the governments of Canada and Quebec” in contributing some $750,000 total to the project.

According to CEO Piccigallo, “the broader purpose of the visit was to strengthen the inextricable bond between Italy and the U.S.” In addition to their time in L’Aquila, the OSIA leaders met with U.S. Embassyofficials and with Italian Under Secretary of the Prime Minister’s Office Gianni Letta at the Palazzo Chigi in Rome.  The delegation also toured two renowned Italian facilities: The Alberto Sordi Foundation, an organization dedicated to elevating the caliber of life for the elderly, and the Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, a teaching university and hospital whose advanced research technologies place it at the cutting edge of medical teaching and treatment.

OSIA/SIF leaders meet with Under Secretary of the Prime Minister's Office, Gianni Letta, at the Palazzo Chigi. Letta is from the Abruzzo region, where L'Aquila is located.

“In our meetings at the U.S. Embassy in Rome, with Regional and Municipal officials in Abruzzo, with scientists and physicians at the Alberto Sordi Foundation and Università Campus Bio-Medico and, especially, with Under Secretary Gianni Letta,” added Piccigallo, “the unbreakable bond between our two countries was emphasized and reciprocally extolled.”

Leone d’Oro™ Wines Now Available

The Sons of Italy, through its licensing corporation Figli d’Italia, has launched a line of imported Italian wines, called Leone d’Oro™ (Golden Lion). The Sangiovese and Gavi were premiered at the Sons of Italy Foundation’s NELA Gala on May 26.

Developed with licensing partner Votto Vines Importing, the red, white and sparkling varietals from the regions of Piemonte, Friuli, Le Marche and Toscana are available now through Dotcomwines, with more retailers to be added soon.

The wines are also available through an expanding network of national wholesalers.  For more information on Leone d’Oro, including how to become a distributing partner, please contact Votto Vines.

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“A tasty and affordable array of Italian wines”

“I’ve tasted through these wines and enjoyed each and every bottle…
The line is broad enough to include a range of Italian wine styles
yet focused enough to provide quality in each category.”

-Dick Rosano, wine critic, in June 2010 Fra Noi

Legendary producer Quincy Jones offers a warm introduction of President Bill Clinton at the Sons of Italy Foundation Gala, May 26 in Washington, D.C. Photo: Max Taylor Photography

Washington, DC, May 27, 2010 –  The Sons of Italy Foundation (SIF) presented President Bill Clinton with a lifetime achievement award for his career in public service during its 22nd annual National Education & Leadership Awards (NELA) Gala in Washington, D.C. on May 26. Mr. Clinton received his award from Quincy Jones, who called the former president his “brother from another mother.” During his acceptance speech, Mr. Clinton said that one of the goals of the William J. Clinton Foundation he has established is “changing the definition of good citizenship.”

“I believe there is an enormous need, to help the helpers take the world in the right direction,” he said. Noting that many in the audience are descendents of Italian immigrants, he said “the values embodied by the Sons of Italy will take the country a long way…we are a better country because we have immigrants. I think we ought to raise the ceiling on immigration.”

See President Clinton’s full remarks in two parts:
Part 1 | Part 2

Dr. Robert Gallo (left), director of the Institute of Human Virology, and Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy & Infectious Disease, with a Sons of Italy Foundation scholarship recipient. Photo: Max Taylor Photography

Among the 900 guests were prominent leaders from government, business, academia, sports and entertainment, including: Nancy Pelosi, speaker of the House; David Thorne, U.S. ambassador to Italy; Giulio Terzi, Italy’s ambassador the U.S.; Gen. Raymond Odierno, commander of U.S. forces in Iraq; Drs. Anthony Fauci and Robert Gallo, the noted AIDS researchers; and a number of U.S. congressmen.

Republic of Italy President Giorgio Napolitano offers salutations to NELA Gala guests. Photo: Max Taylor Photography

Referring to his meeting with President Obama on May 25, Mr. Napolitano said he realized “how deeply Italy’s commitment to fighting terrorism is appreciated (by the White House.).” He said that 8,000 Italian troops are now in Kosovo, Lebanon and Afghanistan, where two Italian military were killed last week.

Also honored that evening were Capt. Anthony Odierno, (U.S. Army, Ret.), who was severely wounded in Iraq; and Lewis Merletti, former director of the U.S. Secret Service. In presenting his son with a SIF award for courage and patriotism, Gen. Odierno spoke of Sgt. John Basilone, the only enlisted man to earn both the Navy Cross and the Congressional Medal of Honor during World War II. He called the late Marine “a shining example of what Italian Americans have given this country.” In accepting his award, Capt. Odierno said “courage and patriotism sometimes go unrecognized. They are the actions of ordinary people in extraordinary situations.” Capt. Odierno lost an arm serving in Iraq. Today, he is with the New York Yankees and also serves on the board of the Wounded Warriors Project, which seeks to raise the public’s awareness and seek aid for severely wounded members of the U.S. armed forces.

Gen. Raymond Odierno presents the Award for Courage and Patriotism to his son Cpt. Anthony Odierno at the Sons of Italy Foundation Gala. Photo: Max Taylor Photography

Lewis Merletti received the SIF’s most coveted honor, its National Education & Leadership Award, which gives the gala its name. Past NELA honorees include poet Dana Gioia, scientists Anthony Fauci and Robert Gallo, football legend Joe Paterno, entertainer Annette Funicello and U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. Mr. Merletti is a 25-year veteran of the U.S. Secret Service and eventually became its 19th director. A Vietnam veteran, he now is with the Cleveland Browns.

Lewis Merletti receives the NELA from 2009 Sons of Italy honorees Arthur Gajarsa (left), judge for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, and Robert Scardelletti (right), International President of the Transportation Communications Union-IAM. Photo: Max Taylor Photography

“Whenever I had a difficult decision to make,” he said, “I would remember an inscription I saw at the Naval Academy in Annapolis: ‘Not for self but for country.’ That is how I’ve tried to live my life because I think each of us has a duty of be committed to this country.”

Also recognized that evening were 11 young Italian Americans who received the SIF’s national scholarships and will now attend many of America’s top universities. The Master of Ceremonies for the evening was actor Joe Mantegna. Tenor Michael Amante offered moving and inspiring renditions of “Bring Him Home” and “God Bless America.”

The SIF is the philanthropic arm of the Order Sons of Italy in America (OSIA), the largest and oldest national organization for men and women of Italian heritage in the United States. Since its founding in 1959, the SIF has donated more than $110 million to education, medical research, cultural preservation, disaster relief and other special projects, including $50 million in scholarships.

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Thank you to the Sons of Italy NELA Gala Sponsors.
Photos by Max Taylor Photography.