Editorial: Project gave back to someone who deserved it

Louis Damiani is a survivor.

That much was clear during his service in World War II, when, separated from the ship where he was serving he spent days floating in the Pacific Ocean. He was declared missing in action before he was eventually recovered.

It was clear last year, too, when a fire destroyed his rural Rosemount home. Damiani, dressed only in a t-shirt and underwear, found his way through a smokey house and out to his car. Nearly everything he owned was destroyed, including the dog that alerted him to the fire in the first place.

These days Damiani has just a small piece of his past to hold onto thanks to a politician and some good friends. U.S. Rep. John Kline made sure Damiani got back the medals he’d earned during the war -- the ones that had been lost in the fire -- and his friends gave him a good way to display them, along with a few photos that happened to be on display at the city’s VFW post at the time of the fire.

That display is one of the few physical connections Damiani has to his past these days.

It’s nice to see people come together to help someone who can use a hand. It’s even better when the person getting some help is as deserving as Damiani.

Damiani did his part to help others. We’re glad to see others giving back.

Tags: opinion, editorials, rosemount