The New York Grand Lodge, Order Sons of Italy in America, held the Nineteenth Empire State Building Lighting Ceremony on Friday evening, October 8, 2004 at Giando On The Water.  This was a wonderful event sponsored by the New York State Grand Lodge Foundation, Inc. and co-sponsored by the America Lodge #2245.

It was a beautifully clear night and the view of the New York City skyline is breathtaking from Giando’s.  In honor of Columbus Day, the Empire State Building was lit up from the top in green white and red – the colors of the Italian flag.  Symbolically, the three colors of the flag represent the three cardinal virtues: Green = Hope; White = Faith; Red = Charity.  The tricolor was first adopted in 1796 by the Lombard patriots and became the symbol of Freedom and Unity.  The Italian Republic sanctioned it as National Flag in 1803, by the Italic Kingdom in 1804 and by the first King of Savoia dynasty, Carlo Alberto, in March 1848.  Since the time it was adopted, the Tricolor has remained the symbol of Independence from foreign rulers for all Italians, who fought several battles during the period known as the “Risorgimento”, until they succeeded in securing freedom and unity.

This special evening, expertly chaired by Sylvia Summa and co-chaired by Carolyn Reres and Dan A. Colantone, was one we will not soon forget.  The honorees were Monsignor David L. Cassato, Pastor of St. Athanasius Church and New York City Police Department Chaplain, Rose & John Mazza, Maryann & Ernest Strada, Jan & John Viviano.  All of these honorees were directly connected to the horrific tragedy of 9-11. 

 Monsignor Cassato had just been appointed as a New York City Policy Department Chaplain when the Twin Towers were attacked on 9-11.  Needless to say, he spent many days and nights at Ground Zero helping to comfort the families of the victims.  He attended over 35 funerals for police personnel and actually participated in the mass for some of them.  Monsignor Cassato is an Italian American who is intently proud of his Italian heritage and who has dedicated his life to providing religious counseling for those in need.

The Mazza, Strada and Vigiano family have all lost children on 9-11. 

Rose and John Mazza’s daughter, Kathy Nancy Mazza-Delosh, lost her life heroically in the line of duty giving her life to save others at the World Trade Center.  Kathy ascended to the position of Captain and was the first female commanding officer of the Port Authority Police Academy.

Maryann and Ernest Strada’s son, Thomas Strada, lost his life in the offices of Cantor Fitzgerald.  He was a 41 year old bond broker who was devoted to his family.  Just four days before 9-11, his youngest son was born … a son who will grow up never really knowing his dad.  Thomas loved the Twin Towers and had brought his family to visit the buildings on several occasions.

Jan & John Vigiano lost their only two sons on 9-11.  John Vigiano II, a fireman who worked for Ladder 132, responded to 9-11 from his firehouse in New York City not far from the Twin Towers.  John left behind his wife, Maria, and daughters, Nicolette and Ariana. Joseph Vigiano, 35, a second-grade detective in the NYPD Emergency Service Unit, responded on 9-11 with ESU Truck 2, based on W. 126th St. in Harlem.  Joseph left behind his wife, Kathy (also a police officer), and three sons, Joseph, James and John.  Both John and Joseph were good fathers; good husbands and they were good men.

It was a bittersweet evening but all agreed that we must take the time to remember those who were lost on 9-11 and what better way then to honor their memory and pay tribute to their brave families.