October is Italian Heritage Month and I always spend time reflecting on my cultural heritage. I hope you do to. Perhaps the most elegant statement on the subject is the poem "I Am An Italian-American" written by Angelo Bianchi, esq. I am an Italian-American. My roots are deep in an ancient soil, drenched by the Mediterranean sun, and watered by pure streams from snowcapped mountains. I am enriched by thousands of years of culture. My hands are those of the mason, the artist, the man of the soil. My thoughts have been recorded in the annals of Rome, the poetry of Virgil, the creations of Dante, and the philosophy of Benedett o Croce. I am an Italian-American, and from my ancient world, I first spanned the seas to the New World. I am Cristoforo Colombo. I am Giovanni Caboto, known in American history as John Cabot, discoverer of the mainland of North America. I am Amerigo Vespucci, who gave my name to the New World, America. First to sail on the Great Lakes in 1679, founder of the territory that became the state of Illinois, colonizer of Louisiana and Arkansas, I am Enrico Tonti. I am Filippo Mazzei, friend of Thomas Jefferson, and my thesis on the equality of man was written into the Bill of Rights. I am Wi lliam Paca, signer of the Declaration of Independence. I am an Italian-American. I financed the Northwest Expedition of George Rogers Clark and accompanied him through the lands that would become Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin and Michigan. I am Colonel Francesco Vigo. I mapped the Pacific from Mexico to Alaska and to the Philippines. I am Alessandro Malaspina. I am Giancomo Beltrami, discoverer of the sources of the Mississippi River in 1823. I created the cupola of the United States Capital. They called me the Michelangelo of America. I am Constantino Brumidi. In 1904, I founded, in San Francisco, the Bank of Italy, which is now known as the Bank of America; the largest financial institution in the world. I am A.P. Giannini. I am Enrico Fermi, father of nuclear science in America. First enlisted man to win the Medal of Honor in World War II, I am John Basilone of New Jersey. I am an Italian- American. I am the million strong who served in America’s armies and the tens of thousands whose names are enshrined in military cemeteries from Guadalcanal to the Rhine. I am the steelmaker in Pittsburgh, the grower in the Imperial Valley of California, the textile designer in Manhattan, the movie maker in Hollywood, the homemaker and the breadwinner in 10,000 communities across the United States. I am an American without stint or reservation, loving this land as only one who understands history, its agonies, and its triumphs can love it and serve it. I will not be told that my contribution is any less nor my role not as worthy as that of any other American. I will stand in support of this nation’s freedom and promise against all foes. My heritage has dedicated me to this nation. I am proud of my full heritage and I shall remain worthy of it. I am an Italian-American. By Angelo Bianchi, esq. Call For Stories Many of our readers send me beautiful stories about Italy, Sicily and growing up in America and I would like to share them with you. If you are a writer (even if you are not) and have a story to share with us, please send it to me at alfredmzappala@yahoo.com and we will start a new section by "guest columnists”. So, what are you waiting for? Thank you, Al Zappala