New Members Initiated into Wakefield Sons & Daughters of Italy

The Sons and Daughters welcomed two new Sisters at the most recent meeting. Marianne Long and Rebecca LeSaffra, both of Melrose, were initiated in a beautiful outdoor ceremony. Officers Paula Sasso, Laurie Rizzo, Adriana Guida, and Debbie Trembley provided the mission and values of the Sons and Daughters of Italy in America. Marianne and Rebecca also shared a little about themselves during the ceremony.

Members discussed the upcoming Charity Auction, originally scheduled for October. In light of the uncertainties associated with the COVID-19 Delta variant, members decided to postpone the event until the spring. A date in April, after Easter, is being investigated.

Up next for the lodge is providing a pasta dinner for our friends at the Wakefield Boys and Girls Club. Many members will be cooking and baking, which, next to eating, is what we do best!

The meeting was held a few days after the 20th anniversary of 9/11. Member and retired Navy JAG Officer Bob Vincent shared his memories of being in Washington D.C. on that tragic day. Bob’s squadron was in and around the Pentagon on September 11th, but fortunately no one was a victim of attack. He knows he was lucky, but that didn’t make it any easier on him and other survivors. There is now a beautiful memorial at the Pentagon honoring those who died in the building and on the plane. Members appreciated hearing Bob’s story and taking a moment to remember.

The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 12th, both in person and over Zoom. Please contact President Paula for information about attending or about joining the lodge. To see more photos and updates, check out the lodge’s Facebook page. Remember, October is Italian-American Heritage month!