This is the VIC 4 VETS, Honored Veteran, during Veterans Month in America.

SUBMITTED BY:  Miss Laura _____________________________________________________________

Hi! 
I'm submitting a Veteran for your show, my Uncle Richard.
Richard R. Bertoni
Third Battalion, Tenth Marines, Second Division
PFC
1941-1944Bronze Star, Combat "V" Medal, , Purple Heart, and many others. 

My grandparents immigrated to America in 1921 from Genoa and Rapallo, Italy.  In 1941 my uncle lied about his age and enlisted in the Marines.  He was at Tarawa on the island of Saipan.  He was shot seven times trying to carry out the radio operator after he was shot.  

My Nonna and Nonno were sent a black edged telegram that Uncle Richard had died heroically in battle.  My Nonna said "My son is not dead.  If he was I'd know." She enquired as to where he would be taken if he were wounded.  They told her he would be in Hammond General Hospital in Modesto, California.  The next day she got on the train and went there.  When she got there she asked to see the men who were brought in that had no dog tags.  She went down the row of beds of men who were unconscious and found him!  She stayed with him until he was able to travel and brought him home.  He met and married his wife and went on to have 6 children, even though one of his testicles was shot off!  True story!

As soon as he was able he began volunteering at the VA hospital.  As he got older he grew a wonderful curly, white beard and volunteered as Santa for many years.  He even led the St. Patrick's parade as lead leprechaun for years in Ypsilanti.  

Whenever we were with Uncle Richard he would take one or more of us to St. Thomas church and ask us to pray with him when he lit a candle for all the boys that didn't make it home, even the Japanese soldiers.  He was loved by many and was generous with his time and money.  

A funny story:  we happened to be visiting during a heat wave.  He decided we were all going to the public pool to cool off.  When we got there he put on a fedora, put the towels in a violin case, lit a cigar and walked in.  He loved to joke around and he never met a stranger.  

I found him more than once on his back patio quietly crying.  He would always say that he missed his buddies from the war and hoped he lived the miracle of life God gave him well.  

Just thought Vic might like knowing about another Italian that was an incredible Marine.  I'm the daughter of an Air force Captain, the sister to a Navy Master Chief, the mother of a Marine, and the mother of another son in the Army.  I also recently found out I had a distant relative who fought for the Union in the Civil War from Missouri.  I've lived in St. Louis for 8 years and I've enjoyed your show!  

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This is today’s VIC 4 VETS, Honored Veteran, during Veterans Month in America on NewsTalkSTL.

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