Since it’s Memorial Day, I’d like to introduce you to my great grandfather, John S. Gilbertie. 1/

The first thing you should know about him is that Gilbertie is his Americanized name. He was an Italian immigrant. His birth name was Ghiberti, but more in that later. 2/

John came to the US and volunteered to serve in WWI. The government told him he didn’t have to, because he was not a US citizen. He signed up anyway. 3/

He served valiantly, going back and forth across enemy lines and bringing valuable information back to the Army and was honored by our government for his service. 4/

Among his honors was the Distinguished Service Cross, which was presented by General Pershing, as well as the highest medal from Italy and another medal from France - all for a war he didn’t have to fight. 5/

Others in our family served too, but it all started with John- an immigrant who got the job done, and who looks so much like my beloved grandmother that it bring tears to my eyes. 6/

When people talk about immigrants, it is their faces I see. They deserve our respect and our gratitude. They are not a drain on this nation- they helped build this nation. 7/

A final word here - I told you in the beginning that Gilbertie was his Americanized name. John’s great grandfather, Lorenzo Ghiberti, had already brought great honor to the family back home. I’m pictured here with his beautiful bronze doors, which hang in Florence today. /end