GRANDSONS OF ITALY IN AMERICA
Minutes of Aug. 1, 2009 Meeting
Vice Pres. Vinny Oliver called the meeting to order and led the club in the Pledge of Allegiance. Chaplain Jimmy D’Arrigo led the group in prayer. Vice Pres. Oliver called for a moment of silence for our deceased brothers, those that are ill, especially Frank Monteleone and Frank LaMarca, and our servicemen.
Sec. Bill Poleri thanked Chaplain D’Arrigo for recording the minutes for the July 18th meeting. Brother Dr. Joe Turcillo made a correction. The invitation to hold a luncheon meeting at his house in March should have read to commemorate St. Joseph’s Day with proceeds going to St. Joseph’s Hospital. Also, Michael Federico donated his 50/50 winnings of $48 back to the club. Carmine Marinelli accepted the corrected minutes. John Antonucci seconded it. The motion passed. The club’s web site is www.goiia.com (case sensitive, all lower case).
Treas. Tony di Milo read the financial report for the June 20th meeting. Members attending the luncheon were 29; Vitello’s Luncheon Tab, $406; 50/50 income, $48; Michael Federico’s $48 (his 50/50 winnings), and Misc. $5 from Auction. Expenses: San Gennaro Festival Donation, $200; Yearly Ad Subscription, $520, and Jaimee Jessop Foundation Donation, $300. The balance is $2642.41.John Murgo motioned to accept. Federico seconded it. The motion carried.
OLD BUSINESS: Murgo, speaking for the absented Pres. Vinnie Corbo, asked for volunteers to man the club’s booth at the St. Gennero Festival Booth in September. Murgo asked those who volunteer not to bunch up in front of the booth preventing potential members to inquire about the club. Sgt.-in-Arms John Oliva passed around a volunteer sign up list.
Steve Toby asked if any furniture is needed for the booth. Murgo replied that we have some but will refer the issue to Pres. Corbo, who will discuss it at the next meeting.
NEW BUSINESS: Vice Pres. Oliver tabled new business to the next meeting due to the large speaker program.
SPEAKER PROGRAM: Oliver introduced Dr. Ed Feldman, former naval officer who served as a surgeon during the Vietnam War. Dr. Feldman said he’s blessed to be here. He spoke about veterans and their rights. He said "veterans privileges are really veterans rights."
Past club speaker ex FBI agent, Charles Teevan introduced former Marine Maj. Charles Lynn Lowder. He said the Lowder has an impressive background and is a "genuine American hero."
Lowder said it was a treat to be here. He lauded Dr. Feldman, telling how he operated on a wounded man taking out an un-spent round from his side. Once removed the round was taken out side where it exploded. He also praised another ex-Marine, Brother James Panza, who was at the meeting. Panza served 31 years in the Marines and is now a law enforcement officer.
Lowder has great praises for the young Marines of today, "They blow me away, three tours in Iraq. Every generation finds people who will stand in the gap." He stressed "to dishonest a warrior is to deny him the distinction of his experience." He told what it means to be a Marine. The corps has belief in the individual Marine and the Marine believes in the Corps, he explained.
"We have a military second to none," he said, but he "would scrap the whole military." He pointed out that it has become "Rockefellers vs. Rodrigues; the have vs. the have-nots, - the wealthy finds a way out of servicing. Freedom is not free." He stressed: "you learn when servicing. You keep your mouth shut, do what you are told and get yourself dirty. You’re forever changed by combat."
Al Miller donated his 50/50 winnings of $48 back to the club.
Greg Holzer brought two Italian T-Shirts that John Antonucci auctioned off for $5.
Vice Pres. Oliver adjourned the meeting. The next meeting will be Aug. 15th at Vitello’s Restaurant at 11:30 a.m. followed by the Sept. 19th meeting. There will be no meeting on Sept. 5 due to the Labor Day holiday.
Submitted by Secretary Bill Poleri.
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