Amerigo Vespucci - Lodge #160- Order of the sons of Italy in America
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Amerigo Vespucci Lodge #160,
Christopher Columbus Ave. Danbury, CT 06810
 
Established July 29, 1924 is proud to be part of the Order of Sons of Italy in America (OSIA) which was started in Little Italy in New York City in June of 1905. OSIA was the idea of Dr. Vincenzo Sellaro and five other immigrants from Italy who came to the United States during the Italian migration of the 1890'sand early 1900's.
 

OSIA has been involved in promoting immigration legislation, assisting in the assimilation process, supporting cooperation of trade and diplomatic relations between the US and Italy, initiating social and fraternal events, encouraging educational achievement through scholarships,serving local communities through a variety of cultural events and rasing funds for local charities, and providing low-cost group financial investments and insurance programs for the benefit of members nationwide.

 
Today, OSIA is the oldest, largest, and most demographically diverse association of American men and women of Italian decent. Since the organization's beginning, men and women share equal status, as do individuals of all ages and professions.
 
We encourage the study of Italian language and culture in American schools and universities; preserving Italian American traditions, culture, history and heritage; and promoting closer cultural relations between the United States and Italy.
Reflections - Italians Revealed
by Donald J. Lipsi, Amerigo Vespucci Lodge # 160

They came to a new world, a new country, penniless, ragtag in apperance, in steerage, poorly educated, not knowing or speaking the language, not even sure of admittance, tolerating relegious and ethnic jokes, segregated and insulted. Yet they came and persevered.

 
They taught their children old world family values, hard work ethics, and the same time interegrated their values with new world concepts, choosing only those that confirmed and enhanced their own. They insisted their children seek education they were denied, thus achieving new heights in business, medical, scientific, educational, crafts, and professional fields. Today they are the vital threads in the fabric of North American society.
 

They answered the call to colors to defend the constitution they swore to uphold. So great was their response that Italian Americans constituted one of the largest ethnic groups to serve in the Armed Forces of the United States of America in World War II, even though we were at war with the land of their fathers. So great was their patriotic fervor that no less than twenty Italian Americans over the years have received the highest military award that our nation has to give for bravery...the Medal of Honor.

 
We bring to the table of the American smorgasbord a culture that has given to western civilization not one, but two of it's greatest periods of progress - Roman and Renaissance. The influence these past civilizations exerted on our present civilization has been demonstrated time and again through our system of goverment, laws, and culture. The romance language of our ancestors provide the basis of no less than five languages and serve as a platform of terms and concepts that are an integral part of our English language.

 
Is it any wonder that we Italian Americans have great pride in our heritage and contributions to the growth, beauty, and strength of this blessed land we call the United States of America.