We asked people to participate in Real American Stories and were astonished by the responses we received. From people we stopped on the sidewalk to household names eager to tell their unique and inspiring American stories.
Fast and furious, this American tradition features tiny tots riding woolly wonder beasts.
Jamie Poindexter’s drumline is bringing together a tough neighborhood with a joyful beat.
A barista gives a kidney to a complete stranger, giving her the ultimate pick-me-up.
Raised by migrant farm workers, Jose Hernandez used hard work and a big heart to reach the stars.
Monica Haslip’s afterschool program is creating artists and serious entrepreneurs.
Michael Reagan and his Fallen Heroes Project provides closure for the families left behind.
This shoe shine man is changing the world through his Clean Water Foundation.
Through hard work and perseverance, Mila Apostol created the little store that could.
A refugee survivor, Derreck Kayongo is saving the world, one bar of soap at a time.
Some call air guitar part perf. art, pro wrestling and rock’n’roll. Whatever it is, it sure is fun!
A DC inner city school teaches rugby to a school for the deaf and the results are loud and clear.
A DC inner city school teaches rugby to a school for the deaf and the results are loud and clear.
Aaron Dworkin brings classical music to the inner city, and opens up a world of possibilities.
An Iraq War veteran, James talks about surviving a suicide attack and serving our country.
She talks about coming over from Italy as a child and the chances America has given her.
She’s following in grandfather’s footsteps, paying it forward, and living up to her good name.
Her parents left Albania so she could grow up with the freedom to live out her “American Dream.”
A 1st grade teacher talks about teaching the Pledge of Allegiance to her students.
She raised nine children and talks about overcoming adversity and following your dreams.
As devoted parents, they provided a safe and loving environment for over 40 foster babies.
She shares her ancestors’ sacrifices and struggles for the freedoms we enjoy in America.
Inspired by wounded soldiers, he’s in med school training to become a doctor in the U.S. Army.
Julie Smith & Joyce Hogan have served our nation through their husbands’ military service.
They adopted two children from Russia and share how the experience changed their lives.
Vietnam Vet who talks about how service changed his life and his feeling for this country.
He compares football to unity and talks about the importance of America coming together.
She’s a 3rd generation American who talks of fulfilling the dreams of our founding fathers.
A Vietnam Vet, Anthony talks about surviving a vicious attack, and the costs of freedom.
The couple talks about raising their kids and the freedoms we cherish in this country.
A teacher who credits her ancestors for giving us the freedoms we share in this country.
A Cuban American who talks about how her father risked his life to bring his family here.
Married for 52 years, they talk about growing up and raising a family in a small town.
He came from India to become an engineer and is currently applying for U.S. citizenship.
The award winning country music group talks about performing for the troops in Iraq.
God Bless you all .. my Dad Tom DiMarco still to this day misses his Dear friend James (Jimmy) Grucci
Butch!
Thank you for being YOU! So many great memories of you being a part of our family growimg up in Bellport. Your family’s fireworks brought so much joy every 4th of july…there at the docks down at the bay…all the aaaahs and oooohs everyone would say…eyes and faces would light up..with a smiles would follow. They were magical times, Butch. You should be very PROUD!
If you’d like…feel free to write to me at my aol address and I’ll tell you all about the Corwin bunch….ok?
Take care, Laurie
Wow, Butch! I wasn’t living in Bellport at the time of the explosion but I heard about it when it happened. Losing loved ones in such a way much have been devastating to you and your family. I’m so glad that so many people have been touched by the Grucci fireworks displays and that you all decided to go on and keep growing and glowing up the night sky with such beauty! The childhood memories of being down at the bay…each 4th of july…sitting on a blanket…just waiting anticipation for the
Butch, I’ll never forget how sad I was when I learned about the explosion of your fireworks complex in late 1983..
Working with you and your family on our Fourth of July, Venetian Night, and Labor Day fireworks displays in Chicago during the Byrne Administration was always a thrill for my colleagues and me in the Mayor’s Office of Special Events — and for the millions of Chicagoans who lined the lakefront to watch your tremendous displays.
My favorite will always be the one in 1980 that you synchronized to the soundtrack of “Chariots of Fire.”
And when each display was over, you and your family welcomed our staff to your hotel suite for tremendous Italian cooking — the end to a perfect day!
Your buddy,
George Spink
Los Angeles
Butch, we will never forget the tragedy your family went through. But also we will never forget the memories as children seeing your fireworks for the first time. It was so special, as are your current shows. Please never stop doing what you do best.Thank you again, and God bless you and your family.