WREATH LAID AT TOWER GROVE PARK STATUE OF COLUMBUS By Marianne Peri Sack In accordance with a very old tradition, a wreath was laid at the statue of Christopher Columbus at the city’s Tower Grove Park on October 12.  The statue is unique because it is the only known statue of the “Admiral of the Ocean Sea” that is depicted with a beard.  This was not the artist’s personal concept of the discoverer but that of Henry Shaw who commissioned the magnificent statue in 1886 as a gift to the city of St. Louis.   For years, during which the Italian community in St. Louis had ceased coming to the park, John Karel, Director of the Park, and his staff had faithfully honored this old tradition by laying a wreath each October 12 at the foot of the statue.   Father Vince Bommarito gave an invocation.  After that Karel and Joe Colagiovanni, president of the Federation of Italian American Organizations, spoke briefly THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO AT TOUHILL CENTER By Marianne Peri Sack Mozart’s operatic masterpiece “The Marriage of Figaro” will be performed on Thursday, November 11, at Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center on the campus of University of Missouri – St. Louis at 7:30 p.m.  The opera is being presented by the acclaimed Mozart Festival Opera, sister company of Teatro Lirico D’Europa.  All soloists are professional singers with international experience who have already performed major roles with important companies in the United States and Europe.   Tickets for “The Marriage of Figaro” are $45, $41, $36 and $23 and they can be purchased at the Touhill Performing Arts Center Ticket Office; by phone at 314-516-; or toll-free at 866-516-4949.  More information can be found online at www.touhill.org. THE ENEMY AMONG US: POWS IN MISSOURI DURING WORLD WAR II BY Marianne Peri Sack St. Louisian David Fiedler’s presentation on his book The Enemy Among Us at the Italian Club’s September meeting tells the poignant story of the more than 15,000 Prisoners of War (POW) that were incarcerated in the state of Missouri during World War II.  The prisoners were treated exceptionally well in the 30 camps around the state.  Often the government was chastised for the liberal treatment of the enemy but people in surrounding towns and those in charge of the camps did not see the face of the enemy but mostly, warm, human beings far from their homes and families.  Pete Puleo had been assigned as an interpreter in the Army during World War II and Fiedler worked closely with him.    The authorities did not want to mix nationalities so the Italians were moved to Camp Weingarten in the St. Genevieve area.  There were 5,000 assigned to this camp that worked on nearby farms for pay.  Friendships were formed that have lasted until this day. In accordance with the Geneva Convention, the camps had to be made similar to those that housed American soldiers but with more security.  They were able to work as long as it did not have anything to do with war or health endangerment and they had to be paid for their labor.  The men were able to beautify the grounds with flowers, rock gardens and benches and decorated their homes with pictures and movie stars’ portraits.  The prisoners were also allowed to have pets. They worked and were able to purchase items at the canteen with their pay or save their money for use when they returned home.  The prisoners operated their own kitchens and cooked their own food, often better than that served to the United States soldiers who wanted to eat with the Italians.  The media and public were often angry at the War Department for their soft treatment of the “enemy”.  The War Department countered with the fact that working for pay was good for their morale and that idleness served no purpose.  It helped the American war situation similar to the way that Rosie the Riveter did.  When the women of America rolled up their sleeves and went to work in every facet of daily life, more men were free to fight for their country.  This same concept occurred with the POWs whose work here significantly helped ease the labor shortage.     Two weeks after the Italians arrived in Camp Weingarten, they saved the town that was ravaged by a flood.  The United States realized the potential of using POW work forces and started a side camp program that brought in the crops with Italian workers at Sikeston, New Madrid, Kansas City, Fulton, Chesterfield, Hannibal, Louisiana, Columbia, etc.  The Italians got to see movies and some particularly remember the Disney pictures and the laughter of the children in the dark. The Italians often sang while they worked.  All this interaction put a human face on the enemy and a different relationship between them and the Americans began to form.  After the war, many Americans sent CARE packages to Italy.  The Italians wrote back thanking them and giving news of their lives in Italy.   During their free time the Italians played soccer, bocce and other sports.  Some took classes and a professor among them taught art, theater and music.  The Americans would come from miles around to be entertained.  They painted pictures from photos, carved boats and village models and made medals.  Pete Puleo remembers that some of the prisoners cried when the war ended and they returned to Italy. Some returned to live here and many came back to visit in later years.  POW Giuseppe Zanti had family on the Hill and he ultimately returned to live there.  Fielder said, “Some reunions have taken place.  The numbers are fewer, memories more faint, but nevertheless, the significance of their time spent here will never be forgotten.”   Many in the area have personal memories or have heard stories about the enemies that came among us, became friends and returned to their own land.  The Misericordia Society’s president Mariano Giambalvo and some of the members journeyed to the POW camp during the war to bring food and friendship to the Italian soldiers.  One of the soldiers showed their gratitude to Giambalvo by painting a large replica of the society’s patron saint, Maria SS.della Misericordia (Our Lady of Mercy).  The signature on the painting appears to be A. Bragamtini.  Roland DeGregorio’s father was another individual who visited the camp.  An artist painted a picture of Roland at age 19, which still hangs in Roland’s home.       COLUMBUS DAY PARADE AND FESTIVAL By Marianne Peri Sack Cars, trucks, floats, marching bands and other participants began gathering at Southwest Bank on Kingshighway and Southwest around 11:00 a.m. the morning of the annual Columbus Day Parade on Sunday, October 10.  In a sea of the Italian colors of red, white and green intermingled with the red, white and blue of Old Glory, more than 125 units left at noon on the route through the Italian neighborhood of the Hill after a blessing from Father Vincent Bommarito, Pastor of St. Ambrose Church. Ending at Berra Park, a brief ceremony began with the impressive honor guard of the St. Louis Police Department.   Next Policewoman Lisa Pisciotta did a remarkable job of singing the American National Anthem followed by the Italian Anthem.  Ollie Raymand, director of the Italian Community Band of St. Louis and former Channel Four weather reporter, introduced the event’s honorees and other dignitaries in the audience.   The Grand Marshalls for 2004 were John, Bart, Jr., Michael and Chris Saracino.  Bart, Jr. spoke on behalf of his brothers and thanked the Columbus Day Corporation for bestowing this honor that had also been received by their father, Bartolino, Sr., in 1996.  He told how his father decided in 1954 to leave his home San Martino, Italy, to come to America, the land of opportunity.  “All he had at that time was a donkey, no other means of transportation.  So what did he do? He traded his donkey for a bike.  He rode the bike to the dock and sold it for a boat ticket to America”, Bart, Jr. said.  After arriving in this country, he got a job and pursued his own personal American dream that became a reality with the three successful family restaurants that the father and his sons now run.   Valerio Bianco, Spirit of Columbus award winner, thanked the Columbus Day Corporation and said that he was positive that the great navigator himself, Christopher Columbus, would be proud of what his accomplishments have given the free world.  Miss Italian St. Louis, Katherine Antonacci, told the audience that she was interested in serving the Italian community especially in promoting the Miss Italian St. Louis Pageant.   The Vice Consul of St. Louis Joseph Colagiovanni stated that his ancestors were from the same area in Italy that the Saracino family hailed from and that Valerio Bianco is a true Italian-American hero.  Mayor Francis Slay said it was always a pleasure to be at this event that honor Columbus.  He noted the tremendous influence of the Italian people on the world. After the brief ceremony, the crowd turned to the numerous booths that lined the field at Berra Park. Foods such as sfinguini (pizza), olive salad, salsciccia, Sicilian steak, toasted ravioli, spidini, Italian-style chicken breast, cannoli, cookies and gelato delighted the palates of everyone.  The crowd was entertained by the music of the Italian Community Band of St. Louis. WHAT’S  HAPPENING By Marianne Peri Sack Buon Compleanno  to Alexandria Ogle – November 8;  Lucrezia Serra – November 11; Nick Held – November 11: Daniele Fritsch celebrates her first birthday on November 11. ANNIVERSARIES Isabella and Charles celebrate their First Anniversary on November 15. MISCELLANEOUS Congratulations to Patty Pirone Opfer who has won the Kemper Teacher of the Year for the Archdiocese of St. Louis and the Emerson Excellence in Teaching Award. CORRECTIONS AND CLARIFICATIONS Broadway star Craig Rubano’s concert will be held from November 10 to November 14 at the Sheldon Concert Hall.   An article in the last issue erroneously gave the incorrect location.