Museum Updates

ABC 7 to shine the spotlight on our museum!

The Italian American Veterans Museum will receive unprecedented media play in October thanks to ABC 7 and the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans. JCCIA President Sergio Giangrande recommended the museum for coverage during Italian Heritage Month and the station’s programming department sent out producer Justyna Syska, videographer Corinthian Burt and stagehand Ryan Lyons to interview museum President Renato Bacci […]
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IAVM president takes to the airwaves

IAVM President Renato (Ron) Bacci recently joined Shalom (Scott) Klein on his weekly radio show, “Get Down to Business,” to discuss the history and work of the Italian American Veterans Museum. The seven-minute interview was aired at 6:30 p.m. on July 5 on AM 560 (WIND) radio. Shalom is an avid networker and dedicated entrepreneur. On his Sunday evening show, […]
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American Legion hosts breakfast at museum

The American Legion First Division, Department of Illinois, held its Commander’s Breakfast at the Italian American Veterans Museum on Feb. 8. On hand to open the museum and welcome the august assemblage was IAVM board member and American Legion Post 335 Commander Lorenzo Fiorentino. First Division Commander Gigi Callaway hosted the meeting, which included Illinois Senior Vice Commander Wayne L. […]
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A changing of the guard at the Veterans Museum

The January meeting of the board of directors was a momentous occasion, with museum President Paul Basile and his fellow civilian officers making room for a whole new cadre of leaders with extensive military background. Basile passed the gavel to retired Army Col. Renato Bacci. Joining him at the top are retired Navy Com. Joseph Troiani (first vice president), retired […]
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New memorabilia illuminates WW II turning point

Rose Mary and Chuck Kurgis journeyed to the museum from south suburban Crete to donate a remarkable trove of memorabilia from Rose Mary’s father, departed World War II hero Louis Venditti. Venditti was a member of the legendary “Band of Brothers,” parachuting behind enemy lines in the predawn hours of the D-Day invasion. He earned the Bronze Star, the Purple […]
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Nephew donates items from courageous uncle

The Italian American Veterans Museum was honored to accept a donation of memorabilia belonging to departed World War II hero Raymond Ciccone from his nephew, Vietnam veteran Frank Falzone. A staff sergeant in the Army Air Corps, Ciccone was an aerial gunner on a B-24 Liberator heavy bomber. Stationed in Italy and flying with the 455th Bomb Group (Heavy), he flew 35 […]
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Families pause to honor veterans over holidays

Hundreds of children turned out with their parents and grandparents in tow for Casa Italia’s Christmas Village, a beloved annual event that features a Mass with Living Nativity, visits with Santa and La Befana, horse-drawn cart rides and traditional Italian treats. More than two dozen attendees stopped by the veterans museum while they were on the grounds. Among them were […]
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First Veterans Resource Fair a HUGE success!

More than 40 veterans and 30 representatives from nearly 20 government agencies, non-profits and businesses braved threats of a winter storm to attend the Italian American Veterans Museum’s first-ever Veterans Resource Fair on Jan. 11. The event was co-hosted by the Cook County Clerk’s Office. The entire third floor of the Casa Italia office building was bustling with activity from […]
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Sports Hall gives generously in founder’s memory

Museum President Paul Basile couldn’t believe his ears. National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame Executive Board Member and Legal Counsel Enrico Mirabelli was calling to inform him that the sports hall would be donating $5,000 to the museum! The remarkably generous bequest was given in memory of founder George Randazzo’s military service. Paul gathered intel from museum curator Steve […]
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Defense Department hails IAVM president

Colonel Renato Bacci, U.S. Army (Retired), was awarded the Office of the Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Public Service in a ceremony at the Pentagon Office Complex in Washington D.C. on Nov. 15. He was recognized for his service as state chair of the Illinois Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve from October 2013 to September […]
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