L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 16 2023 www.italoamericano.org 14 L'Italo-Americano LA VITA ITALIANA TRADITIONS HISTORY CULTURE D e a r r e a d e r s , N o v e m b e r 11th we cele- b r a t e d V e t - erans Day, formerly called Armistice Day. Armistice: suspension o f m i l i t a r y h o s t i l i t i e s between warring factions, u s u a l l y a f o r e r u n n e r o f peace, proclaimed by the governments or by the com- m a n d e r s - i n - c h i e f o f t h e a r m i e s . W o r l d W a r I ended with the signing of the armistice between Ger- many and the Allies, togeth- er with the US on the 11th November 1918. On the 11th d a y o f t h e 1 1 t h m o n t h i n 1918, the armistice agree- ment was signed, and fight- ing on all battlefields ceased at 11 a.m. The guns of World War I fell silent after four long years and the "war to e n d a l l w a r s w a s f i n a l l y over." To remind Americans of the tragedies of war, Presi- dent Woodrow Wilson, in 1919, proclaimed Novem- ber 11th Armistice Day, and f o r y e a r s s c h o o l c h i l d r e n stood at attention beside their desks, on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, observing a minute of silence to honor those who had given their lives in World War I. In 1938, Congress adopt- ed a law making Armistice Day a federal holiday. By 1940, it became clear that World War I, the "war to e n d a l l w a r s , " d i d n ' t , a n d P r e s i d e n t R o o - sevelt prepared the country f o r a w a r h e f e l t w a s coming. Mario Avignone, my late pen pal and long- time "Fra Noi" columnist, remembers October 1940: " H o w m a n y o f y o u remember the month and y e a r ? P r e s i d e n t F r a n k l i n R o o s e v e l t a n d C o n g r e s s announced that all males 18 years and older had to regis- ter for selective service. He announced on the radio that the world situation being what it was, and Germany taking over various Euro- pean countries and some African countries with their s t r o n g m i l i t a r y f o r c e s , t h i n g s l o o k e d b a d f o r E u r o p e a n d t h e e n t i r e world. In October 1940, all males 18 and over had to register for the draft at vari- ous places in Roseland. My letter from the government instructed me to report at Pullman School to register for the draft. I remember the day. There was a long line of men standing in line in front of the school. One day shortly after, President R o o s e v e l t p i c k e d o u t t h e number of the first group to be drafted. This was broad- cast on all radio stations, and all of America stopped what they were doing to lis- ten to the president. I was given notice later to r e p o r t t o d r a f t b o a r d 9 2 located at 10655 Michigan Avenue. The doctor exam- ined me and put me in class 1 B b e c a u s e I w a s u n d e r - w e i g h t . I w e i g h e d 1 1 2 pounds. I was very disap- pointed with my status being rejected for military service. I had served two years in the CCC camps and was used to the military and barrack life. I wrote to the draft board volunteering my service to the armed forces. The draft board sent me to Dr. Rabazzi for another examination. He also rejected me for being u n d e r w e i g h t . T h e n o n D e c e m b e r 7 , 1 9 4 1 , a d a t e t h a t I s h a l l n e v e r f o r g e t , Japan bombed Pearl Har- bor, thus causing Congress and President Roosevelt to declare war on Japan, Ger- many, and Italy. On January 15, 1942, a month after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, ten friends and I were in the Rose Bowl Casino Tavern discussing the war, and all decided to enlist in the ser- vice the next day. Nine of the fellows were accepted, but t h e y r e j e c t e d m e a g a i n : underweight. I talked to one of the medical officers and asked: "How much do I have to wait to be accepted into t h e a r m e d f o r c e s ? " H e looked at me and smiled. "You are underweight and no one wants you! You have to wait at least 120 pounds." I was determined to help our country and asked the offi- cer: "If I go downstairs and Advancing our Legacy: Italian Community Services CASA FUGAZI If you know of any senior of Italian descent in San Francisco needing assistance, please contact: ItalianCS.org | (415) 362-6423 | info@italiancs.com Italian Community Services continues to assist Bay Area Italian-American seniors and their families navigate and manage the resources needed to live healthy, independent and productive lives. Since Shelter-in-Place began in San Francisco, Italian Community Services has delivered over 240 meals, over 900 care packages and made over 2000 phone wellness checks for our seniors. eat six pounds of bananas, w h i c h w o u l d b r i n g m y weight to 118 pounds, would you accept me then?" He l a u g h e d a n d c a l l e d s o m e other officers over and told them of my problem, and t h a t I w a n t e d t o e a t s i x pounds of bananas to bring my weight up to 118 pounds s o I w o u l d b e a c c e p t e d . Then he put his arm around my shoulder and said: "We know you love our country and want to help. We decid- e d t o a c c e p t y o u a t 1 1 2 p o u n d s a n d y o u m u s t promise to eat a lot to get your weight up." O n J a n u a r y 1 4 , 1 9 4 2 , Mario Avignone was accept- ed into the US Air Corps. After completing training, he boarded a Liberty ship and sailed to Italy, where he s e r v e d w i t h t h e 1 5 t h A i r Force for two years at an air base near Foggia The Veterans Day nation- al ceremony, like most cere- monies around the nation, is held on Veterans Day itself. However, when it falls on a weekday, many communi- ties choose to hold parades or other celebrations on the weekends. *** Many of us who think we speak Italian do not. It is d i a l e c t . N e x t w e e k , o n Thursday, November 23, we celebrate Thanksgiving. P r a c t i c e y o u r t u r k e y a n d poultry in Italian and Eng- lish: Turkey: tacchino Duck: anatra Rooster: gallo Chicken: pollo Goose: oca

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