Notes and Quotes for 2013: Gabriele d'Annunzio

Dear Readers,

Notes and Quotes for 2013.

You make the world a bit more beautiful and better because you have been in it.

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I expect to pass through this world but once; any good thing therefore that I can do, or any kindness I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now; let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.

-Attributed to E. de Grellet.


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More words of wisdom for 2013.
     “Fa male e pensaci, Fa bene e scordati”. Remember that this New Year is a new chance: A change to not live with regrets. A chance to try something new.  A chance to bring a smile to someone’s face.  A chance to be a part of something wonderful and exciting.

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In January we open a new book.  Its pages are blank.  We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year’s Day 2013.

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Each day is a new beginning With a chance to try again All the memories to erase That seem to bring us pain.

 Each day is a new beginning
When we can start anew
To sort out our priorities
And know what we must do.

O.B. Elvin     

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HAPPY NEW YEAR!
    As an Italo-American, I always went with BUON CAPODANNO, which according to Signor T. De Girolamo of Gardena, Calif. is okay but translates as “Good New Year”. The proper way to say “Happy New Year” in Italian is: FELICE ANNO NUOVO. Simply BUON ANNO is also used in Italy for “Happy New Year”, but since I’m in the U.S.A. wishing you a Good New Year still sounds like a good idea to me.

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Words can make us smile: Pasquale, upon arriving in America, was asked his name at Ellis Island.  He gave it.
 “Speak louder,” said the officer. He repeated it.  “Louder,” again said the officer;
     “Sir, your voice is as soft as a woman’s!” “Well,” said Pasquale, “that might be. Mia mamma was a woman”.

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Toasts in many tongues When toasting the New Year, here are a few expressions for “To your good health” from around the world: It’s Alla Salute in Italy.


Albania…..Gezuar


Arabic…..Besalamati


Armenia…..Genatzt


Austria…..Prosit


China…..Wen Lie


Croatian…..Na Zoravlje


Czechoslovakia…..Naz Dar


Denmark…..Skaal


Egypt…..Fee Sihetak


England…..Cheers


Ethiopia…..Letenatchie


Finland…..Kippis


France…..A Votre Sante


Germany…..Prosit


Greece…..Iss Ighian


Hawaii…..Okole Maluna


Holland…..Proost


Iceland…..Santaka Na


India…..Aanand


Indonesia…..Salamat


Ireland…..Slainte


Israel…..Lehayim


Italy…..Alla Salute


Japan…..Kampai


Morocco…..Saha Wa’Afiab


New Zealand…..Kia-Ora


Norway…..Skal


Philippines…..Mabuhay


Poland…..Na Zdrowie


Portugal…..A Sua Saude


Russia…..Na Zdorovia


Scotland…..Shlante


Spain…..Salud


Sweden…..Skal


Thailand…..Sawasdi


Turkey…..Serese


Ukraine…..Boovatje Zdorovi


Wales…..Iechyd Da


Zulu…..Oogy Wawa

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More about words: Sometimes words, dropped over enemy territory can be more effective than bombs.
     In 1918 Gabriele D’Annunzio, Italy’s famous poet and World War I patriot decided to fly over Vienna (Austria) with a squadron of planes.  Instead of dropping bombs, D’Annunzio wanted to drop cards with a propaganda and peace message written on them.
    

 

The tricolored propaganda leaflets, some written in Italian and some written in German, ended with the slogans “Hoch Lebe Die Freiheit” (long live freedom), “Hoch Lebe Italien” (long live Italy), and “Hoch Lebe Die Entente” (long live the Allies).
     Because D’Annunzio was friendly with  Pio Perroni who, with his brother, owned the Ansaldo engineering firm (the brothers held the Italian licenses for building Bleriot and Voisin airplanes.  

 

They also produced their own S.V.A. (Savoia, Verdizzi, Ansaldo aircraft that was very advanced for the times) and because of his great celebrity, the Italian government reluctantly supported D’Annunzio’s idea.
     On Aug. 9, 1918, 12 S.V. Bombers labeled the 87th squadron, with D’Annunzio aboard one of them, flew over the Alps to Vienna, covering 1,100 kilometers in six hours and 40 minutes.
    

 

The planes dropped 70 kilograms of peace leaflets calling on the Viennese to rise against their oppressive government and to call for peace between Italy and Austria.  This flight moved the emperor of the dying Austro-Hungarian empire to declare, “Their poets fight like soldiers and our soldiers fight like poets”.

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Bill Cosby said, “I don’t know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody. Therefore, if you feel you are on a positive path, resolve to do your “own” thing in 2013, and if you think you do not have much to be thankful for, then be thankful for all the “dolori” (aches) you do not have.

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