2 September 2002

As a former New Yorker, I want to share an expression of sympathy from a friend of mine in Italy. I was born in Verona, Italy and came to America with my parents, a brother and a sister when I was four years old and lived in New York City.

 Periodically, I return to Italy to visit family and friends. My granddaughter Tara and I had just returned from S.Alessio, Sicily on September 10^th, 2001 just prior to the tragedy of September 11^th Shortly thereafter, my family in Italy called me with their concerns for my safety and the safety of our family who still live and work in New York City. I called my good friend in Italy, Pietro Saglimbeni, to assure him that we were all safe.

 In October I received a letter from his wife, Mariella, with a poem of sympathy that Pietro had written in Italian. He was so moved by the event. Subsequently, she sent me the enclosed translation in English. I have treasured this poem and thought perhaps I should share this expression of sympathy from someone other than a fellow American. I remember Pietro saying at the end of our conversation, “We are all Americans now”.

Sincerely,

Tipi Minnehan