God Bless America and Happy Fourth!

 

Happy 242nd Birthday, America!

 

Happy Fourth of July to all!

 

by Alice Jane-Marie Massa

 

 

When my paternal grandfather was born in Levone, Italy, on April 12, 1879, the United States of America was almost three months shy of its 103rd birthday.  Like all four of my grandparents, James Massa (SR.) came through Ellis Island in the very early 1900s.  Five days before the Fourth of July celebration of 1910, my grandfather married Elizabeth (Liza) in Indiana.  My paternal grandparents, as well as my maternal grandparents–all from the Levone Valley of Northern Italy–became proud citizens of the United States.

 

I think they were quite brave and adventuresome to leave their homeland and set sail for a new home in another country.  I do wonder what they were thinking when they sailed by the Statue of Liberty, passed through Ellis Island, and settled in the coal-mining area of Indiana’s Vermillion County.

 

Much to my dismay, my grandparents and parents–all of whom were bilingual–did not want us of the second generation to learn Italian:  we were to learn English very well.  Since Italian was spoken in our home and their homes, I could understand some of their dialect; however, despite taking an Italian class as an adult, I have never become fluent in Italian.  (Learning more of the Italian language is still on my “bucket list.”)

 

My grandparents and parents were patriotic citizens of the USA.  One distinct memory which I have of my paternal grandfather is that his favorite song was “God Bless America,” as sung by Kate Smith.

 

Kathryn Elizabeth Smith was born on May 1, 1907 (or 1909), in Greenville, Virginia.  Known as “The First Lady of Radio,” Kate Smith was a contralto whose career spanned from 1926 through the bicentennial year of the United States.  During her radio program on November 10, 1938, Kate Smith introduced Irving Berlin’s anthem “God Bless America,” which was a hit by 1939.  After a fifty-year career and ten years of retirement, Ms. Smith passed away on June 17, 1986.

 

I imagine that on the picturesque farm in Klondyke, Indiana, my grandparents, as well as their youngest child (my Aunt Kathy) and youngest of four sons (my Uncle Jules) listened to the radio broadcast of Kate Smith’s performance of “God Bless America” in 1938 and on Independence Days in subsequent years.

 

Of all the sentiments and wishes on Independence Day, the title of Irving Berlin’s song does express our thoughts in the best way:  “God Bless America.”

 

MUSICAL NOTE:  On the internet, you can easily find quite a number of versions of “God Bless America,” sung by Kate Smith, as well as other artists.

 

Hoping you are enjoying a most Happy Independence Day,

Alice and Leader Dog Willow

 

July 4, 2018, Wednesday

 

 

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