Columbus Day ceremony and Italian Heritage Month in Orange County

SANTA ANA, CA – A wonderful ceremony rich in Italian heritage was conducted in the outside courtyard of the historic Bowers Museum to celebrate Columbus Day. A large gathering of civic and community leaders were on hand to greet the newly arrived Consul General of Italy, Giuseppe Perrone, who assumed his post in September. Orange County is included in his jurisdiction and former Consuls have also attended the annual celebration.

Considerable emphasis by the Consul was made in his remarks regarding the charitable educational and civic activities conducted by the Italian community which includes the Sons of Italy Lodges, the Italian Arts Council of Bowers Museum and the Orange County American Italian Renaissance Foundation (OCAIRF) which in 1992 erected a bronze monument of Christopher Columbus at the Bowers Museum and donated $250,000 toward the museum’s renovation. On site to greet the new consul was Bowers Museum President Peter Keller; Mayor of Orange Carolyn Cavecche; City of Santa Ana Fire Chief David Thomas representing Mayor Miguel Pulido and Joanne Sokolski, Chief of Protocol representing Bill Campbell, chairman of the Orange County Board of Supervisors.

Proclamations were presented by the two cities to Nina LoMonaco Perez, the Columbus Day Heritage Award Honoree. A proclamation declaring October as Italian Heritage Month in Orange County was presented on behalf of the Board of Supervisors. The program was well organized by Frank DeSantis, president of the Italian Arts Council of Bowers Museum and Mary Jane Cambria of the Renaissance Foundation (OCAIRF). A Color Guard presentation was made by Commander Dan Collins, Anaheim Legion Post #295.

The Italian and American National Anthems were sung beautifully by honoree Nina LoMonaco-Perez, a talented, professional opera singer. An entertaining patriotic program by Celebration USA featured 15 young adults led by the program’s founder, Paula Burton. The invocation was given by David Prisco, past state president of the Grand Lodge. The pledge of allegiance was led by Al Trentini, president of Saddleback Lodge. Renaissance Lodge member Dr. Paul Licata delivered the keynote Columbus Day address which held the attention of the entire gathering due to his thorough review of Columbus’s life and achievements.

Andy Pampuro, president of the Orange County American Italian Renaissance Foundation and Renaissance Lodge presented the prestigious Columbus Award and a gift to Nina LoMonaco-Perez. Miss Erial Engle, Queen of the Renaissance Lodge greeted the guests.
A wreath ceremony was conducted at the bronze Columbus Monument in honor of Christopher Columbus. Notable VIP guests included Alberto DiMauro, Director of the Italian Cultural Institute; Elena Marinelli, Commercial Attache Italian Government; National Trustee OSIA Joseph LaBanca; President of Federated Rosemarie Vanderhaar; State Trustee OSIA Robert Gattinella; The George L. Graziadio Center Chair of Italian Studies Clorinda Donato and Robert Buranello, assistant professor of Italian at Chapman University.

Following the program a reception was provided for all guests and their families hosted by the Orange County American Italian Renaissance Foundation.
For information regarding membership in the Sons of Italy contact Frank DeSantis at 714- 550-9155.