Today in what should be a joyous and festive occasion, our daughter graduates as a valedictorian of Magnolia Junior High School with a heavy heart. I dropped her off for the last time, as she cried tears of sadness instead of joy. This evening, her grandparents and aunt from Chicago were going to be here to celebrate her achievement, but all of the flights were canceled when we learned that my beloved grandfather and her great-grandfather passed away.
We are depressed on so many levels that it is hard to explain. The obvious depression results from personal grief, but on another level, I am struck by the loss of another patriot of the Greatest Generation. Franklin Delano Roosevelt once declared, “This generation of Americans has a rendezvous with destiny.” Truer words could not have been spoken. Grandpa did not often speak about his service, but when he did, all activity in the house would stop, and I would hang on his every word.
Today right after my daughter’s graduation and commencement speech, I will be flying to Chicago to lay a great man to rest.
“Marchetti, Arthur Age 89. Longtime Crete resident formerly of Chicago Heights 'Hungry Hill' neighborhood. Retired Machinist for Amsco Steel. WWII Veteran/U.S. Army 373rd Engineers Regiment. Husband for 64 years of Norma (nee DiTola); Father of Cyndy (Barry) Pruett and Rosanne (Nick) Katrichis; Grandfather of Michelle (Stewart) Hunter, Barry (Kimberly) Pruett, Tracy Alfredson, Andrew (Sandy) Nyiri II, Ryan Nyiri, Hilary (Dan) DiTola, Stacy (Brandon) Sullivan and Nicholas Katrichis; Great grandfather of Katie, Lilly, Maggie, Andrew III, Gianni, Isabella, Rocco, Giuliana, Trinity and Trevor; Son of the late Polly (nee Mattucci) and Mike Marchetti; Brother of Demetria (late Dominic) Tucciarelli; Uncle and dear friend of many."
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