Fra Noi Embrace Your Inner Italian
A pair of departed veterans are resting more peacefully thanks to the sharp eye and passionate persistence of Laurence Pasquesi. The longtime North Shore activist was strolling through Memorial Park in Highland Park when he was moved to take a closer look at a monument to residents who had worn the American uniform during World War I.
He noted with pride that 15 of the 366 men memorialized on a bronze plaque were of Italian descent, but realized upon closer examination that the last names of Costantino Minorini and Enrico Piacenza were misspelled.
With the help of fellow community activist Nancy Webster and the Peter Troost Monument Co. and the approval of the local government, Pasquesi was able to set the historical record straight.
Financial support came from the Highland Park American Legion Post #145 (Lawrence Sassaorossi, president) the Modenese Society (Carl Carani, president) and Maria Fontana Pasquesi. Additional thanks go to Sam Carani and John Pieracci.
