[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 53 (Thursday, April 18, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E496]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


 JOSEPH DeLUCA, RETIRING COMMANDER OF THE ITALIAN AMERICAN VETERANS OF 
                             LUZERNE COUNTY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. LOU BARLETTA

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 18, 2013

  Mr. BARLETTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Mr. Joseph DeLuca, 
retiring Commander of the Italian American Veterans of Luzerne County, 
Post No. 1 in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.
   Mr. DeLuca was born in Cilento Eremiti, Campania, Italy in 1937. 
Prior to World War II, he and his family moved to the United States, 
settling in Hazleton, Pennsylvania. Growing up in Hazleton, he attended 
Most Precious Blood School and graduated from Hazleton Senior High 
School in 1954.
   In February 1961, Mr. DeLuca enlisted in the Pennsylvania Army 
National Guard where he trained as a radio communications message 
router at Fort Knox in Kentucky. During the Cuban Missile Crisis, he 
served in Company A 165th Military Police Battalion in Fort Polk, 
Louisiana. Later he joined the 54th Heavy Armored Division of Texas, 
earning the nickname ``DeLuca the Bazooka'' for his superior ability to 
handle weapons.
   Outside his military service, Mr. DeLuca spent 35 years working in 
the garment industry, ultimately attaining the position of Concept 
Fashion Design Planner. Today, he still resides in Hazleton and is a 
proud father and grandfather.
   Mr. Speaker, for his loyalty to both his Italian heritage and our 
great nation, I commend Mr. Joseph DeLuca upon his retirement as 
Commander of the Italian American Veterans of Luzerne County, Post No. 
1 in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.

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