PITTSTON — Italians in Greater Pittston observe Columbus Day every year. Over the last 50 years, that celebration has included a special program at the Columbus statue at the corner of Kennedy Boulevard and Main Street in the city. The rededication of the statue this year marked the golden jubilee of its placement and was followed by a celebration dinner.
Main Street was shut down from the corner of William and Main streets as the Columbus Day Parade processed to the statue on Oct. 12.
The Pittston Knights of Columbus led the procession as the legendary Cino Paci Band played Italian tunes on top of a float.
Members of San Cataldo Society, Italian Citizens Enjoyment Club, UNICO and the Lackawanna County Columbus Day Association took part in the parade.
Guest speakers included Congressman Matt Cartwright, Pittston Councilman Danny Argo, who gave an historical perspective on the Columbus statue; Fr. Joseph Sibilano, O.S.J., who blessed the statue and audience; along with words from James Deice, president of the Italian-American Association of Luzerne County (IAALC); and IAALC member Herman Castellani, who, along with Pittston City Mayor Mike Lombardo, placed a wreath at the foot of the statue.
“When you stand in front of the Columbus statue and, for me, as you look at the inscription of the original plaque, it really talks about the journey and the journey to this country,” said Lombardo, who was the program’s moderator. “It’s symbolic, not only of the Italian group, but of all ethnic groups that have come to this country and have worked very hard to make this, no doubt, the greatest country on the face of the Earth.”
Rep. Cartwright stopped in Pittston, the first of his two Columbus Day celebration appearances on the day.
“Today is a celebration not only of Columbus’ journey to America, but also of the legacy of Italian-American immigrants in the Greater Pittston area,” Cartwright said. “Without Columbus’ excursion sparking the exploration of the American colonies, we wouldn’t be here today. The world would look a lot different.
“The contributions of Italian-Americans in northeastern Pennsylvania have been immeasurable,” Cartwright added. “They have served in our communities by serving in public office, caring for us as physicians, teaching our children in school and driving our local economy as business owners, not to mention opening some of the greatest and tastiest restaurants in this whole area.”
Mayor Lombardo thanked all who attended the ceremony in support of honoring Columbus and lauded Ron Faraday, Pittston City facilities director, and his staff for the maintenance of the statue and upkeep of the landscaping around it.
Over the years, the Columbus statue has been vandalized on a few occasions and, in 2016, a car rammed into it, causing $68,000 damage. It was refurbished and placed back on its mount with an additional granite extension elevating it to 20 feet in height eight months after the accident.
James Deice closed the ceremony by saying, “As Italians, be proud. Continue to honor your ancestors, continue to preserve your Italian heritage and culture and, most importantly, keep that flame burning for Italians for generations to come.”
An evening dinner celebration took place at St. Anthony of Padua Hall at St. Barbara Parish in Exeter, where over 100 attendees enjoyed music, food and a brief program.
Feature speaker was Atty. Mark Bufalino, whose late father Atty. Charles Bufalino, was a member of the original committee that brought the statue to Pittston.
The elder Bufalino spoke at the inaugural placement of the statue in 1969. His son had possession of that speech, reciting several paragraphs.
Quoting from his father’s speech 50 years earlier, Mark Bufalino said, “This day and this statue serve as a constant reminder of the new world of opportunities that were created by Christopher Columbus and all of those who followed him to these shores. I think we can all agree that no one appreciated those opportunities more than the many of our family and friends that came to this area.”
