To the editor:
Like many Americans, I have been glued to the TV following our nation's financial crisis. Politicians have been scaring everyone with visions of another Great Depression. Everyone is fearful of losing jobs, homes and personal retirement funds.
When our grandfathers and grandmothers came to this country, many had nothing with them except a small bag of personal possessions, the clothes on their back, and a vision of a new start in life.
They lived in cramped apartments, often with no heat. They had no cars. They had no insurance, retirement or pension. There was no unemployment office, welfare office or Social Security office. Heck, almost all of them spoke no English. They worked seven days a week in sweatshops. Their kids came home every day to empty apartments in run-down sections of town while their parents slaved away.
Our grandparents were constantly victimized, discriminated against by "True Americans"; they had tough, tough, lives. They sacrificed themselves for the American Dream. Not all realized this dream, but many did. Today, as a descendant of these pioneers who threw themselves into a foreign way of existence, I have to ask myself: Do we have what it takes to overcome adversity like they did? Do we remember what they did for us? Can't we do it too? Isn't that heroic DNA also flowing in our veins?
Today, more than ever, we need that spirit of our ancestors as we face these tough economic times. We need to reflect upon our roots and where we are today. What we have now, even in these "tough" times, is light years ahead of what they had. Many of us are educated. Many of our children and grandchildren are educated. American business, education, arts, sciences, mathematics, every industry is full of Italian and Sicilian Americans who have achieved success. This success was earned despite starting from nothing. Now I ask you, especially during Italian and Sicilian Cultural Heritage Month, has this spirit died? Has the sacrifice of millions of our ancestors been for nought?
No way. This country will recover. It will recover in part because of a spirit instilled in us by example, the spirit of hard work, sacrifice and that "never give up" attitude that our forefathers brought with them through Ellis Island. We have something that many are desirous of — our inbred spirit. We are survivors.
As I think of our grandfathers and grandmothers, all heroes to me, and the profound sacrifices that they made on my behalf, I can say proudly that I am an American, and I will not let them down, now or ever. Together, as Americans, proud Americans, we must do whatever we have to do to ensure that the success earned through their sacrifices made long ago will continue for generations to come.
This is what Italian and Sicilian Cultural Heritage Month means to me.
ALFRED M. ZAPPALA
Methuen
