Hello Dawn, Welcome to the forum, I think we can help you here. First thing i found on your dad was a H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N by the Rhode Island General Assembly HONORING THE MEMORY AND DISTINGUISHED SERVICE OF COL. THEMISTOCLES HAMILCAR FARAONE
The link to the page is here: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/billtext98/housetext98/h9232.htm
98 -- H 9232
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LC04237/2
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S T A T E O F R H O D E I S L A N D
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 1998
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H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N
HONORING THE MEMORY AND DISTINGUISHED SERVICE OF COL. THEMISTOCLES HAMILCAR FARAONE
Introduced By: Representatives Anzeveno, Wasylyk, Cambio, Mesolella and DeSimone
Date Introduced : June 26, 1998
Referred To: Read and Passed
WHEREAS, Before retiring from the military, General Douglas MacArthur spoke of his many years of service to the nation by quoting an old 1920s song. The General's observation that "Old soldiers never die/They simply fade away" has remained in the public's consciousness for more than four decades. Ironically, the all too brief life of another soldier who also provided exemplary service to the nation, Col. Themistocles H. Faraone, illustrates that courage and a sincere dedication to duty are not always fated to fade from memory. Taken from his family and service to Rhode Island in 1963 when he was only 47 years old, Col. Faraone's vibrant personality and myriad accomplishments have not been lost to time, but rather remain vivid and vital to this day in the minds of his loving family and many admirers; and
WHEREAS, A native Rhode Islander, born in Providence on April 27, 1916, Col. Faraone was the son of Themistocles and Maria (Fiore) Faraone. A professional engineer, he was a member of the Beta Psi Alpha fraternity and graduated from the University of Rhode Island with a degree in Civil Engineering; and
WHEREAS, Active in National Guard and Army Reserve units from 1933 to 1938, Col. Faraone proved his personal courage and leadership abilities time and again as he fought in Africa, Italy, France and Germany to rid the world of the scourge of fascism during World War II. His bravery under intense fire during the invasions at Salerno, Anzio and Southern France contributed to his being recognized with the Bronze Star and five Battle Stars. A Battalion Commander with the VI Army Corps, 57th Signal Battalion, Col. Faraone's military service from 1941 to 1946 also earned him the European African Middle Eastern Service Medal, the American Defense Service Medal and the Victory Medal; and
WHEREAS, After the war, Col. Faraone was active in Army Reserve units and served as the director of command and general staff training of the Providence United States Army Reserve School. A 1958 graduate of the Associate Command and General Staff School at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, Col. Faraone served on the military staff of Governor Christopher Del Sesto and was appointed by the governor to the State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors; and
WHEREAS, Col. Faraone, a brother of Mrs. Christopher Del Sesto, proved his great worth as a civil engineer when he served as chief project engineer and superintendent in charge of construction of the all important Fox Point Hurricane Barrier for the M. A. Gammino Construction Company; and
WHEREAS, The first president of the Criterian Club of St. Bartholomew's parish in Providence and a former president of the Seventh Ward Republican Club, Col. Themistocles H. Faraone was the chief military aid to then Governor John H. Chafee when he succumbed to a heart attack in October 1963. Thirty-five years later, his surviving family includes his wife, Gladys (Scopelliti) Faraone; his children, Themistocles H. Faraone III, Allegra, Mark and Dawn; and his sister, Mrs. John McDermott; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations hereby respectfully honors the distinguished service of Col. Themistocles Hamilcar Faraone. Though tragically snatched from our midst at too young an age thirty-five years ago, the memory of his inestimable contributions to the history of Rhode Island and to the preservation of freedom will never fade away; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to Mrs. Gladys Faraone and family.
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