Page 4 - Italian American Herald - March 2021

4 ITALIANAMERICANHERALD.COM | MARCH 2021 ITALIAN-AMERICANHERALD FROM THE COVER
Commission on Italian Heritage and Culture generously and candidly shared their views and experiences for this article.
Dr. Louis A. Arena, linguistics professor emeritus at the University of Delaware, where he ran the Italy study-abroad program, noted: “COVID-19 taught us to live in bubbles. Everyone had a bubble around them. If
we collided with one another, we could be infected. I experienced extreme ‘caution- fatigue’ (tired of being careful).”
Jack Polidori, a dual U.S./Italian citizen, who had a distinguished career in local, state and national political campaigns in 28 states, and served with the National Education Association, wrote: “Thankfully, when the disastrous COVID hit our shores, our doctor ordered us to stay in Arizona where we had been visiting! We complied fully. It helped us to make the best of a pretty bad situation... we got to get out into the wide open and warm spaces to walk and hike each day. Social distancing! We counted our blessings with each step. As seniors, we did our
level best to heed the request of our brave, beleaguered health-care professionals and just kept a low profile in order to not show up at their hospitals! We felt like the curtailment
of our busy, out-and-about lifestyles was the patriotic, respectful thing to do for them.”
But the human spirit prevailed. Before
the coronavirus swept across America,
we learned of so many friends and family members suffering in Italy, and assisted in any way we could. Groups such as the National Italian American Foundation and UNICO sprung into action and garnered support.
At home, people were “reintroduced” to the evening television news (with nonna’s reminiscences to the younger generation about Walter Cronkite), raptly seeking vital information and ways to protect their families.
An Italian-American, Dr. Anthony Fauci, became a trusted and beloved source of information and inspiration for the nation. Dark, dour masks replaced colorful, jaunty, festive silk cravatte, and became part of the daily wardrobe. The harsh, sterile alcohol odor of hand sanitizer wafted through the air
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instead of pleasant, sweet and salty Acqua di Gio. Travel restrictions were imposed, even to beloved and familiar contiguous states, keeping us from visiting friends and family. Necessarily, the art of letter writing (albeit mostly via email) was reborn. Drive-through COVID-19 testing “pop-up” sites were offered in all three Delaware counties every day, with many of us undergoing testing and anxiously waiting for the text message or email with the results.
Groceries were delivered to those trepidatious about entering the supermarket. Some spouses pensively shared evening meals in peace, while enjoying the melodious sounds of opera, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin or Tony Bennett.
Many citizens learned cutting-edge computer technology, and engaged in FaceTime or Zoom virtual meetings with family or business associates. Many churches, and Malvern Retreat House, offered virtual daily prayer and Sunday services via YouTube. The Food Bank of Delaware, Emmanuel Dining Room, Salvation Army and other charities welcomed food and
their own safety and reported to work every day to keep our nation functioning.
First responders, police, firefighters, paramedics, nurses, pharmacists, physicians,
military personnel, and countless
others exhibited superhuman bravery (beyond even what they normally do). Farmers, truck drivers, grocers, mechanics, and public utility personnel kept
Richard DiLiberto hugs his granddaughter Charlotte Jane Buckworth, who will turn 2 in May.
Before the coronavirus swept across America, we learned of so many friends and family members suffering in Italy, and assisted in any way we could. Groups such as the National Italian American Foundation and UNICO sprung into action and garnered support.
us fed, warm
and comfortable.
Teachers dutifully taught in-person or online, quenching our children’s thirst for learning. Some families “made peace” over
upon these little ones as the future scientists, physicians, lawyers, government leaders
and problem-solvers who will navigate
and conquer the quagmires which bog us. Someday, those most fortunate among us will hoist these children on our laps on New Year’s Day, in the glow of a warm fire, and sotto voce tell them about these most difficult and trying days of 2020.
My fervent hope is that we will relate how we were challenged, but never gave up, and overcame these days. For now, we boldly lean forward into the future, with chins up and chests out, confident that, with our sacrifices, these babes of tender years will never have
to experience what we did. When this is all over, we will copiously hug and kiss again, without fear, but with happy tears in our eyes. IAH
Rick DiLiberto, Esq., is chairman of the Delaware Commission on Italian Heritage and Culture, and a lawyer with the personal injury section in the law firm Young Conaway Stargatt & Taylor in Wilmington. A member of the Delaware House of Representatives from 1992-2002, he and his wife, Faith, welcomed their first grandchild, Charlotte Jane Buckworth, in May of 2019.
descent, while others are open to all ethnicities. IAH
The full list of available scholarships and instructions for applying can be found online. To learn more about the scholarships, contact the UNICO National Scholarship Director, Joan Tidona, at jntidona@unico.org or UNICO National at www.unico.org
monetary contributions to help serve the less fortunate, and we met the challenge.
More Americans voted than at any time in American history, some waiting hours in line to do so. “Essential employees” risked
long-festering insults (the remote origins of which many were unable to remember with particularity).
Some of us were blessed with children or grandchildren recently. We prayerfully look
UNICO announces scholarship offerings for 2021
Italian-American Herald
UNICO is offering a variety of scholarships in a wide range of academic disciplines for 2021.
Scholarships are available to high school seniors and matriculated students at universities and colleges in undergraduate
studies or pursuing advanced degrees. The application deadline is April 15.
Applications must be submitted online via the “Scholarship” tab at the UNICO national website, www.unico.org
Scholarships are valued at $1,000 to $5,000 each academic year, and are available
to students pursing degrees in medicine, osteopathy, nursing, literature, Italian studies, natural science, physical science, life science, engineering, natural science, therapy science and special education.
Some of the scholarships are aimed at students who are U.S. citizens of Italian