Let's celebrate an American hero 
Chicago Sun Times-Monday, Oct. 14,2002 

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   The drums will roll, the bands will strut and politicians will court the rapidly eroding ''Italian vote.'' It is Columbus Day 2002! 

   Mayor Michael Bloomberg invited ''The Sopranos'' sellouts Dominic Chianese and Lorraine Bracco to the New York City Columbus Day Parade. Our own Mayor Daley would never consider inviting James Gandolfini or Edie Falco to our parade. They mock their heritage and defile the memory of their heroic Italian ancestors. Mayor Daley loves Columbus Day, and always salutes the accomplishments of the great ''admiral of the Ocean Sea.'' 

   Christopher Columbus was adopted as an ethnic hero after waves of Italian immigrants brought their blood, sweat and tears to the teeming shores of this ''sweet land of liberty.'' 

   They found other ethnic groups honoring St. Patrick, Casimir Pulaski and von Steuben, so they needed to join the parade. Columbus is not celebrated in Italy. Only a small plaque commemorates his birth in Genoa. He was discovered in America by a needy population of penniless and powerless immigrants searching for their place in the sun. Even our nation's capital bears his name. Cities and universities proudly proclaimed to be his adopted children. 

   Christoforo Colombo was an authentic American hero. Then the marauders came in the night and rained lies on our parade. Charlatan historians revised, distorted and finally destroyed the well-documented legacy of Columbus. 

   The Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans will salute ''America, To Thee I Sing'' today. Look at the list of war casualties from the Twin Towers. The melodious, beautiful names of Italian Americans are tragically prominent in the roll call of heroes: citizens, police, firemen--none of whom resemble any characters in ''The Sopranos.'' 

   President Vito Cali and parade chairman Robert Cimo speak for the Italian-American community as they invite all Americans to celebrate and remember Columbus Day 2002. Let the healing begin. 

   Dominic Di Frisco, president emeritus, 
   Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans