When longtime board member Diana Fecarotta passed away, it was only natural for the family to donate her memorabilia and that of her uncle to the museum. Among the trove of documents and realia presented by first cousins Phil Zarcone and Barbara Eakin were hats belonging to Diana and their great-uncle, Pfc. Frank Lombardino, who died while serving in the […]
Read More
The International Press Club of Chicago hosted an eye-opening presentation by Italian Consul General Thomas Botzios on July 29 at the museum. The Consul General was introduced by IPCC President Wayne Toberman. Overseeing an 11-state jurisdiction, Botzios spoke proudly of the enormous positive economic impact Italy is having on America, with more than 100 Italian companies boasting presences in his […]
Read More
Museum First Vice President Joseph Troiani will deliver his second annual non-classified national security briefing at 3 p.m. on Sunday, August 27. Troiani held a capacity crowd spellbound last April, detailing the risks to world peace posed by Russia and China and offering chilling accounts of their expansionist philosophies and tactics. The retired Navy Commander will bring new attendees up […]
Read More
The 1st Division and 9th District of the American Legion had the privilege of hosting the National Commander Vincent J. “Jim” Troiola and Department (IL) Commander Lomac A. Payton at the Italian American Veterans Museum on May 19. American Legion officers and members from across the Chicago area were in attendance. The event was spearheaded by 9th District Commander and […]
Read More
On March 29, 2023, IAVM Curator Steve Corbo gave a tour of the museum to USMC Veteran Ray Stripling, board member of the Friends of Fisher House Illinois and Veteran Mel Twining, founder of the Michael Nathan Twining Foundation and Champions 4 Heroes. Fisher House is a network of housing facilities where military and Veteran families may stay at no […]
Read More
Vietnam Veteran and Far South Side historian C.J. Martello spoke about the Italian American Veterans Museum at a meeting of the Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America’s Leone D’Oro Lodge #2700 on March 20, 2023, at the American Legion Hall in Tinley Park. Martello is the author of Petals From Roseland, a column about the Far South Side […]
Read More
The Friends of the 85th Division, made up mostly of alumni of the 85th Training Division, holds luncheon meetings semiannually near Memorial Day and Veterans Day. The event includes a guest speaker and of course a chance to reminisce with old friends. This year’s meeting was held in the Banquet Center at Casa Italia on Nov. 10. IAVM President and […]
Read More
The Italian American Veterans Museum lost one of its most avid supporters with the passing of Paul Joseph Rubino, MD. Educated at St. Ignatius High School, Loyola University and Loyola’s Stritch School of Medicine, Paul as a Naval surgeon tending to often-critically wounded military personnel during the Vietnam War. Upon discharge, he joined the Family Medical Group in Joliet, where […]
Read More
The Lincoln Land Brass Band performed for an appreciative audience on Oct. 22 in the Ballroom of the Community Center at Casa Italia. Officially known as Illinois Army National Guard’s 144th Army Band, the 12-member ensemble served up a stirring mix of patriotic pieces and traditional marches. The concert was capped off by a medley of official music from every […]
Read More
The Italian American Veterans Museum took a leap of faith when it decided to stage its first-ever wine festival, and the outcome was nothing short of spectacular. More than 200 wine lovers converged on the Festival Center at Casa Italia on Sept. 18 for Festival del Vino. The weather was picture perfect and the venue was magically decorated with banners, […]
Read More
