Our Values and Mission
The G. Caboto Club is dedicated to preserving, celebrating, and sharing Italy’s rich cultural heritage with the local community. By promoting Italian traditions, we pay tribute to our ancestors and keep the spirit of the 'Old Country' alive for future generations.
At the G. Caboto Club, Italian-Americans find a friendly atmosphere where they can form connections based on friendship and solidarity. Our mission focuses on fostering a sense of 'famiglia' through social events, shared meals, and mutual support, emphasizing the valuable impact Italian-American culture has within our community.
Through upholding the values of hard work, faith, and charity—core principles of the Italian-American experience—the G. Caboto Club strengthens our community. We are devoted to helping youth through scholarships, engaging in civic service, and promoting our heritage positively with educational programs and outreach efforts.
Giving Back to the Community
The G. Caboto Club recognizes the importance of supporting our local community. Our charitable initiatives over the years have included contributions to Blythedale Children's Hospital, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Maria Fareri Children's Hospital, Little Sisters of the Poor, Harrison Youth Little League Association, and the My Brother Vinny Foundation.
In Our Thoughts and Prayers
The G. Caboto Club encourages everyone to remember our police, firefighters, armed forces, and elected officials. Police officers and firefighters are often at the forefront of emergencies, bravely facing danger while others retreat. Members of the armed forces spend time away from home, putting their safety at risk to protect our peace. Elected officials bear the responsibility of leadership, making decisions that affect us all.
By keeping these people in our thoughts and prayers, we recognize the human side of those who serve, and wish them protection, wisdom, and the strength to lead with integrity.
Great Italian-Americans
John Basilone (November 4, 1916 – February 19, 1945) served as a gunnery sergeant in the United States Marine Corps. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his remarkable actions during the Battle for Henderson
John Basilone (November 4, 1916 – February 19, 1945) served as a gunnery sergeant in the United States Marine Corps. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his remarkable actions during the Battle for Henderson Field in the Guadalcanal campaign and later received the Navy Cross posthumously for his extraordinary bravery at the Battle of Iwo Jima. Basilone stands out as the only enlisted Marine to have earned both honors in World War II.
Basilone was born in his parents' home in Buffalo, New York, on November 4, 1916. He was the sixth of ten children in an Italian American family.
After three years of service in the United States Army stationed in the Philippines, Basilone enlisted in the Marine Corps on June 3, 1940. He was sent to Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, and participated in the invasion of Guadalcanal in August 1942. In October, Basilone and his two machine-gun teams successfully defended against a Japanese attack despite being greatly outnumbered; only three Marines from his group survived. His heroic actions at Guadalcanal earned him the Medal of Honor and led to a war bond tour, which brought him national fame.
Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone was killed in action on February 19, 1945, the first day of the Battle of Iwo Jima. While leading his machine gun team near Airfield Number 1, he was killed instantly by a Japanese mortar shell that exploded near him. He was 28 years old.
Field in the Guadalcanal campaign and later received the Navy Cross posthumously for his extraordinary bravery at the Battle of Iwo Jima. Basilone stands out as the only enlisted Marine to have earned both honors in World War II.
Basilone was born in his parents' home in Buffalo, New York, on November 4, 1916. He was the sixth of ten children in an Italian American family.
After three years of service in the United States Army stationed in the Philippines, Basilone enlisted in the Marine Corps on June 3, 1940. He was sent to Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, and participated in the invasion of Guadalcanal in August 1942. In October, Basilone and his two machine-gun teams successfully defended against a Japanese attack despite being greatly outnumbered; only three Marines from his group survived. His heroic actions at Guadalcanal earned him the Medal of Honor and led to a war bond tour, which brought him national fame.
Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone was killed in action on February 19, 1945, the first day of the Battle of Iwo Jima. While leading his machine gun team near Airfield Number 1, he was killed instantly by a Japanese mortar shell that exploded near him. He was 28 years old.