I respectably request The American Legion consider honoring my father, Gus Valeri, who served in WWI. His accomplishments were considerable having come from an Italian farming family and immigrating to our country in 1913.

My father served in the Italian army twice, discharged and drafted again and discharged as a corporal. He immigrated to this country in 1913 and volunteered or was drafted into the army and served as a private. He was discharged at Fort Gordon
and returned to La Grange. He learned to be a cobbler and then operated a shoe repair shop in La Grange, Ga., until his death.

In La Grange, he became deeply involved in veterans affairs. He helped form the American Legion post and played in the drum and bugle band which won many
awards. Years later the post honored him by renaming the post "Gus Valeri American Legion post."

He was a staunch Legionnaire until his death.