[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 52 (Monday, April 22, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E596]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                PATRIOTISM IS ALIVE AND WELL IN AMERICA

                                 ______


                         HON. FRANK A. LoBIONDO

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 22, 1996

  Mr. LoBIONDO. Mr. Speaker, I commend to my colleagues and all 
Americans the following letter I received from Vincent E. Pellegrino, 
Adjutant of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 386 in Cape May, NJ. 
Patriotism is indeed alive and well in America.
                                          Veterans of Foreign Wars


                                                  of the U.S.,

                                      Cape May, NJ, April 1, 1996.
     Congressman Frank LoBiondo,
     Cannon House Office, Washington, DC.
       Dear Congressman LoBiondo: On Sunday, March 24, 1996, we 
     both attended the Fiftieth Anniversary celebration of the 
     Veterans of Foreign War Petrella, Repici, Caprionini, 
     Champion Post 6257 in Belle Plain, New Jersey. The 
     celebration was also attended by many veterans groups from 
     the surrounding area, as well as the Gold Star Parents of 
     Leland Champion, Jr., one of the veterans for whom this post 
     is named.
       I only wish that all of your colleagues in Congress could 
     have been with us, to hear a very patriotic and emotional 
     speech given by Commander Frank DiLorenzo, a veteran and 
     Commander of Post 6257 in Belle Plain, N.J.
       Commander DiLorenzo pointed out that it is no longer 
     fashionable to salute or respect the flag of the United 
     States, our greatest symbol of freedom. He also reminded us 
     that Congress had refused to pass a law making it a crime to 
     deface or destroy the American Flag.
       As a veteran of World War II who served in the European 
     theatre, I sometimes become discouraged at the direction this 
     country is going. It appears that our Democratic system has 
     failed, with high crime rates in our cities, failure of our 
     children to be properly educated, families struggling to 
     survive, high taxes, corruption in government, and a 
     political system that appears to be in chaos. These concerns 
     are also shared by many of my fellow veterans. We sometimes 
     wonder if the sacrifices that were made in World War II, 
     Korea, Vietnam, Lebanon, Somalia and Desert Storm are 
     appreciated by our fellow Americans.
       On Sunday, March 24, 1996, my faith in our Democratic way 
     of life was restored, after listening to the speech given by 
     Commander DiLorenzo. I know that he and many other Frank 
     DiLorenzos throughout this country will continue to carry the 
     message that patriotism is still alive in America.
       I was also encouraged as we paraded through the streets of 
     Belle Plain, N.J. to see American flags displayed on every 
     home along our parade route.
       Belle Plain, N.J. is a small rural community and during 
     World War II had approximately two hundred residents. Twenty 
     five men enlisted in the service and in 1944, Belle Plain, 
     N.J. was notified that four of their young men, Joseph 
     Petrella, Frank Repici, Thomas Caprioni, and Leland Champion, 
     Jr. were killed in action. This is a close knit community 
     where patriotism and family values are high.
       Congressman LoBiondo, there are many communities like Belle 
     Plain, N.J. in this country and my faith in the American 
     system has been renewed.
       I know that you are able to make a one minute speech in 
     Congress before the regular session begins.
       Please give your fellow Congressmen the message conveyed by 
     Commander DiLorenzo, that patriotism still lives in America. 
     Let them know that the sacrifices made by the residents in 
     Belle Plain, N.J. through the four veterans Corporal Joseph 
     Petrella, Private 1st Class Frank Repici, Private 1st Class 
     Thomas Caprioni, and Staff Sergeant Leland Champion, Jr., who 
     gave their lives for their country were not in vain.
       God Bless Our Flag.
       God Bless America.
           Very truly yours,
                                            Vincent E. Pellegrino,
     Adjutant.

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