CHICAGO- “If you look at our cap, the seal of the United States, it says in Latin, E Pluribus Unum. Out of many, one,” said U.S. Army Reserve Lt. Col. Arturo Napolitano, Commander of the 318th Theater Public Affairs Sustainment Element.

On October 10, 2022, the U.S. celebrates Christopher Columbus. The Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans, based out of Chicago, have put on their annual Columbus Day parade, and have invited the U.S. Army Reserve from Arlington Heights, Illinois to participate.

Amongst the soldiers invited, the JCCIA has invited two Italian American Army Reserve officers to represent the Chicagoland area in the Columbus Day Parade.

“Columbus Day to me signifies the hard work of my grandfather and my father, in building a better life for my brothers and me,” said Napolitano. “I’m just proud to be part of this community in my capacity as a commander, I’m proud to be an American and I’m proud to be an Italian American.”

Napolitano, is a native of New York, commissioned on active duty in 2003, as an engineer officer.

“My father immigrated here from Italy when he was seven years old,” said Napolitano. “My father always wanted to serve in the military, but I ended up serving and he took over a family business after my grandfather passed.”

“As Army Public Affairs, our job is to inform the public and the Army on what we do as soldiers,” said Napolitano. “It does a couple things; it keeps the public informed and the troops informed.”

“One of the interesting things about the 318th TPASE, Army Public Affairs, our unit in particular, is we do make an effort to try to get out and cover different events that are going on in the community,” said Napolitano.

The U.S. Army recognizes three main priorities that soldiers and commanders stress, people, modernization, and readiness.

“People are one of the most important priorities, and we want to show the people of Chicago where we’re located, this unit especially, as it relates to Columbus Day,” said Napolitano.

We want Italian Americans to know they are represented within the ranks of the Army Reserve, said Napolitano. There’s Italian American Soldiers from your community, from the community around Chicago and serving their nation every day.

“Since I’ve been in command and even before, our priority has been making the community aware that we exist and showing the community that we’re part of it,” said Napolitano.

“We’re vested within the community and like we talked about the priorities of the Army, right now without people, this organization wouldn’t function, and the people are what makes it special and drives the vision forward,” said Napolitano.

“We’re part of their community and we’re here to show them what Italian Americans are doing in their Army, for their community and for their country,” he said.

“When I was invited to participate as an Italian American and Army Reserve Soldier in Chicago’s Columbus Day Parade by Cpt. Ariola, I was ecstatic,” said Napolitano.

“Columbus Day is important to me because I’m a third generation Italian American,” said U.S. Army Reserve Cpt. Michael Ariola, Public Affairs Officer, 85th Training Support Command. “Our nation is made up of a lot of different people and it’s great to just go out and celebrate all of our diversity.”

“I’m here today to celebrate the spirit of exploration and Italian American heritage, and just get out and meet the community,” said Ariola.

“It’s a time to come out and celebrate the diversity we have across the nation,” he said. We’ve got a lot of Italian Americans that have done great things for our society.”

“I was part of our Columbus Day Parade, when I was in grade school and it was a lot of fun,” said Ariola. “I was also in the Chicago 2019 parade; it was a lot of fun representing the Army as an Italian American.”

Like Ariola, Napolitano also had many recollections of his most fond Columbus Day memories. He talked about how he dressed up as Christopher Columbus doing a little play and singing songs.

“I remember being in first or second grade, I grew up in the Catholic education system,” said Napolitano. “Singing songs about the Nina, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria, Christopher Columbus, and recognizing Native Americans for their contributions to this country.

The U.S. Army, just like America, has diversified itself overtime. From inside the ranks, to the political system, to the country it is today. America and the Army have evolved into a diverse society.

To some, Columbus Day represents a foundation in which a country was built. To others, it represents community, heritage, and honor.

“E Pluribus Unum. Out of many, one,” said Napolitano. “We’re one of those many Americans.”

It’s nice to interact with people of all walks of life, Napolitano said. Even though I’m Italian American, everyone that serves with us from all walks of life, all heritages, and nationalities, everyone is my brother and sister.”