I wondered how NECO could surpass the wonderful party they threw on Friday night….I met many of the past medalists on Friday and they told me to expect an incredible day on Saturday….but it’s just something that you can’t describe. What an incredible experience…what an incredible honor. I gathered with all of the other medalists at the Ritz Carlton Hotel Battery Park. They assembled us and we followed a bagpipe escort to one of the Ellis Island Ferries. We arrived at Ellis Island to a complete color guard and military line down the red carpet. We were escorted into the main tent and were seated on stage for the ceremony. There was a full military procession, some incredible entertainment…i think the Georgia Mass Choir was my favorite….the Air Force Liberty Band was incredible too…as were the American Belles and the 82nd Airborne. They were just ALL incredible.

We were individually presented with our medals. Emilio Estefan gave a fantastic speech. After the ceremony, we were taken to the Great Hall for a black tie dinner. My words just can’t give adequate meaning to this event. To hear so many stories of the brave and courageous who all came through Ellis Island…to be honored in the place where my family entered this country…to remember the feeling of hope and the dreams they carried with them…and to pay tribute to the opportunities offered by The United States of America…it was very powerful. I am grateful to NECO for adding me to this incredibly prestigious list of people. It was a night i will certainly never forget!

–Charles

The chairman of NECO, Mr. Nasser Kazeminy, made a fabulous speech and donated money to “Gift of Life,” the organization that brings children from third world countries to the United States for life-saving surgery. Very inpsiring. Did you know they have saved more than 10,000 lives??!

I had the honor of meeting Gloria and Emilio Estefan. Gloria received the Medal of Honor several years ago and this year, it’s Emilio’s turn. They are gracious and sweet people. I spent a long time speaking with George Randazzo, the founder of the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame in Chicago. We are talking about some very exciting projects….my father was from Sicily….and i would be proud to be involved with the Hall of Fame!

At the Chairman’s Dinner, i sat next to Medal recipient Rayna DuBose…after contracting Meningitis while playing basketball in her first year of college some years ago, she’s lost both arms and is now a motivational speaker….resiliance is her middle name and i was touched hearing her story. Congressman Charles Rangel sought her out because he wanted to meet her.

It was incredible night and i can’t believe that the best is yet to come today with the actual ceremony on Ellis Island. More to come….

 –Charles