Italian American Veterans Museum

06/14/2026

For nearly 81 years, a humble memorial at Milwaukee and Higgins in Jefferson Park has stood as a tribute to local residents who took their military oath there during WWII, near the neighborhood’s old draft board office.

Erected by the Greater Jefferson Park Servicemen’s Welfare Association shortly after the war, the monument was lovingly maintained for 70 years by WWII vets from VFW Post 3592, who repainted, replanted flags, and added new plaques as each generation served.

Today the Billy Caldwell American Legion Post 806, with some help from local residents, carries on that tradition, keeping the memorial — now also a stop on the Northwest Art Trail — a living symbol of sacrifice and community pride.

This Flag Day, the “America’s 250th Birthday” parade will march right past it, honoring those who answered the call.

by BRIAN NADIG It’s a concrete pillar with plaques on it, and it’s stood in the middle of one of the city’s

06/10/2026

Today marks the 175th anniversary of the birth of Charles Joseph Bonaparte, who was born on June 9, 1851, in Baltimore, Maryland.

He served as U.S. Secretary of the Navy in President Theodore Roosevelt's cabinet and later as U.S. Attorney General, where he established the Bureau of Investigation, precursor to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, known as the FBI.

Bonaparte, of Italian descent, was also the great-nephew of Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte.

05/25/2026

Remember them, honor them. As we remember all who gave their lives, from the Revolutionary War to the present day, in the name of freedom.

05/20/2026

Chicago radio station US99 morning DJs Melissa and Austin are holding a fundraising drive through Memorial Day weekend to “Get a Vet a Dog.”

VetDog pairs veterans with service dogs at no cost to the veteran. However, It costs over $50,000 to breed, raise, train and place one assistance dog. So they’re asking the public to chip in to get a local Chicago area veteran a dog.

You can find out more, and donate, here: https://fundraising.idonate.com/americas-vetdogs/fundraiser/campaign?program=undefined&fundraising=7074b37a-9594-414a-b224-86ce03aba6fe&edit=true

Learn more about VetDogs at vetdogs.org.

05/12/2026

Born on May 12, 1925, in St. Louis, Lawrence “Yogi” Berra distinguished himself during military service prior to his Hall of Fame baseball career.

At only 19 years of age, Berra was a Seaman Second Class who played a significant role in the D-Day Invasion, one of the most important and dangerous campaigns of World War II.

As one of a six-man crew on a Navy rocket boat, he fired machine guns and launched rockets at German defenses at Omaha Beach. Although fired upon, he was not hit. Yogi Berra was awarded several commendations for bravery under fire.

Berra famously downplayed his bravery, often joking about his experiences, but he was a legitimate hero in the Normandy invasion before becoming one of baseball's greatest catchers.

For more tales from the annals of Italian American military history, visit iavmuseum.org.

05/08/2026

Today is the 81st anniversary of VE (Victory in Europe) Day, May 8, 1945, when N**i Germany unconditionally surrendered to the Allies, ending World War II in Europe.

Upon the defeat of Germany, celebrations erupted throughout the Western world, especially in the United Kingdom and North America. More than one million people celebrated in the streets throughout the UK to mark the end of the European part of the war. In Chicago, spontaneous celebrations happened thought the city and people flooded the Loop—specifically State and Madison Streets—to celebrate, according to the Chicago Tribune.

Let us never forget the bravery and sacrifice of the Allied armies, who saved the world from N**ism.

04/19/2026

02/11/2026

On this day, 56 years ago, February 10, 1970, 21-year-old Specialist Four John P. Baca of the United States Army was operating deep within the jungle of Phuoc Long Province in Vietnam.

He served as a recoilless rifle team leader with Company D, 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division.

On this night, Baca was the point man for a patrol sent out to establish a night ambush position.

He led his unit through the darkness and successfully guided them to their objective site.

As the team moved into their firing positions, they prepared to engage the enemy forces operating in the area.

Suddenly, a hostile fragmentation gr***de was thrown into the center of their small defensive perimeter.

The deadly device landed in the midst of the patrol, trapping the soldiers in a confined space with no time to escape the blast radius.

Fully aware of the lethal danger facing his comrades, Baca made a split-second decision to sacrifice himself.

He ripped his steel helmet from his head and threw it directly over the live gr***de.

Without hesitation, he then jumped on top of the helmet and covered it completely with his own body to seal the explosion.

The gr***de detonated underneath him moments later.

The force of the blast lifted him into the air and inflicted severe injuries upon his body.

By absorbing the concussion and fragmentation with his helmet and torso, he contained the explosion and prevented it from hitting the other men.

His fearless action saved the lives of eight fellow soldiers who were standing just feet away.

Miraculously, Baca survived the devastation despite his critical wounds.

He was evacuated from the battlefield and spent months undergoing medical treatment and recovery.

On June 15, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon presented the Medal of Honor to Specialist Four John Baca during a ceremony at the White House.

As of today, John Baca is still alive and continues to reside in the United States, remaining active in the veteran community.

02/11/2026

New Beginnings

The board of directors of the Italian American Veterans Museum convened in January to elect officers and make plans for the next stage in their journey at their new home at the recently created Chicagoland Veterans Campus in Addison.

Pictured are (from left) Third Vice President Ron Onesti, Treasurer Joanne Spata, First Vice President Lorenzo Fiorentino (Army major, retired), Secretary and Executive Vice President Paul Basile, Parliamentarian Eugene Giudice and President Joseph Troiani (Navy commander, retired).
Not pictured is Second Vice President Mark DiSanto

01/28/2026

Happy 90th to actor, writer, director, and Italian American veteran, Alan Alda!

Born on Jan. 28, 1936, in New York City as Alphonso D'Abruzzo, Alan Alda served in the U.S. Army ROTC while a student at Fordham University. He served for a year at Fort Benning after graduation in 1956, and then spent six months active duty in the U.S. Army Reserve as a gunnery officer in Korea.

Years later, he starred in the television comedy “M*A*S*H,” portraying Captain Benjamin Franklin “Hawkeye” Pierce, a surgeon at a Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (MASH) unit during the Korean War. Drawing on his military experience in Korea, he also wrote, directed and served as creative consultant for the series, which aired on CBS from 1972 to 1983.