I originally started this page with a brief description of myself, very brief as a matter of fact. Just to let you know a little about the guy setting up this site and why.  After reviewing what I wrote, I was led to start over and be just a little more descriptive.  Not that I'm anyone special, I'm not famous, I'm not rich (worldly), it's for sure I'm not a writer.  One of my children came to me recently and asked about her Great Grandmother, I was able to give her some information but not as much as she wanted. So I thought of this; in today's world of technology, why not put my life on the computer so that when her grand children ask who was your dad and what did he do? She could hand them this and say, This was your Great Grand Grandfather and this is what he did.

THOUGHT:
Help your children's children and there children know the history of your family. This is something that is lacking in our country and society today.

I guess you could say I'm just an ordinary man with a few life experience to share.  If you happen to take the time to read this my only hope is that in some way God may speak to you through me and bless you.

Arthur F. Perfetti
    I was born in Kew Gardens, New York, in April of 1945, raised in Flushing, Queens,  N.Y. attended Flushing High School till my junior year, then my life began.  I informed my teachers and parents Arthur and Maria that I wanted to quit school and join the United State Air Force.  This was not accepted with open arms, naturally I couldn't understand why.  The Dean of my high school Mr. Kessler took me on a trip, a private trip, just he and I to Pratt Institute, in the city. Un be known to me, a deal was in the making.  The Dean of Pratt Institute, myself and Mr. Kessler had a pow wow, this is what was presented to me.  "Stay in school Arthur, for this last year don't take any test, don't get into any trouble, don't do any home work, just stay in school for your last year and graduate, then you will receive a full Art Scholarship to Pratt Institute.  You see I was always a fairly good artist, many of my drawings were hanging in the school hall ways, I just couldn't see my blessing at that age. But then how many seventeen year old teenagers can.  Well, strong headed as I was, and knowing what was best for me, (you guessed it) I quit High School and joined the United States Air Force.  If I had any idea what this life experience was going to be I'd have been a grade "A" student and the perfect son.

    I entered the military on May 16th 1962, the next four years of my life belonged to someone else.  It started off with a bang, while at boot camp I received my first Dear John experience, my life was over.  My drill instructor used me as a punching bag for asking about the mail. I became a star witness in the court martial of my drill instructor.  I was labeled, not to my advantage.  I was shipped to an isolated Radar site at Wadena, Minnesota.  Now, some may say that this is not very isolated, well you would have to be there.... Upon arriving near Wadena, it was a cold 40 degrees below zero, I needed a ride to the base so I called and asked if I could get a lift.  Sure enough they sent a car to pick me up, we stopped for gas and I leaned against the car, my first lesson about sub-zero weather, they freed my hand from the frozen car with hot water.  Never touch a car with bare hands in sub-zero weather.

Reporting In: 8:00 a.m.

I reported to the First Sergeant at 8:00 a.m., he was a stout man, ex-marine of eight years, and crossed over to the Air Force, this meeting was short as you will see.

"Arthur F. Perfetti reporting as ordered Sir..."
"Sit down Airman"
"Yes Sir"
"Lets get this straight right now, I'm the boss here, no guinea from New York is going to run this base, understood!"
"Yes Sir"
"Your restricted to base for 30 days with 15 days extra duty....now report to the First Lieutenant."
"Yes Sir"

First Lieutenant was a ninety day wonder, for those who were never in the military, he just graduated college and officers training school.

"Arthur F. Perfetti reporting as ordered sir."
"You better get something straight right away Airman, I run this squadron, do you understand."
"Yes Sir."
"Good, your restricted to base for thirty days with 15 days extra duty."
"(Slightly angered) Sir what have I done?"
"Thirty more days, and keep your mouth shut."
"Yes Sir."
"Report to the base Commander."
"Yes Sir."

Base Commander Lt. Colonel Fluentes

"Arthur F. Perfetti reporting as ordered sir."
"Airman, what are you doing with those stripes on your uniform."
"I was promoted after tech school sir."
"Well you are being demoted as of now remove those stripes."
"Sir, what have I done?"
"Thirty days restriction to base, 15 days extra duty and remove these stripes."
"Yes sir."

    That was my first hour at Wadena Air Force Base, 4 months of restriction to base and 45 days of extra duty, all because I was an Italian American from New York. I soon found out the only other Italian American stationed there spent his days on top of a hill breaking rocks with a hammer.  About this time High School sure looked good.

    Well I survived, I volunteered for Vietnam three times but the good lord wouldn't let me go, for which I am very thankful now.  I spent 2 years with these people and finally shipped out to the Philippines.  I was able to endure the remainder of my military experience, and received an honorable discharge in may of 1966 with the same rank I entered in. I felt good leaving all that prejudice behind.   Not knowing I would re-live prejudices far worse than this in the years to come.

Can Good Come From This:

    Well lets see, I met my first wife Harriet the most beautiful girl of my teenage years, as mom would say sweeter than apple pie. We married and had a child, It's A Boy, ok! we named him after a very wise man, my dad Arthur George Perfetti.

    I learned no matter who the person is, what position he holds, how rich (worldly) he is, now matter where he lives, most of all no matter what his/her race, religion or nationality, we are all the same, Gods children, nothing makes a person better or below another.  The President of a Country or the homeless in the city are one and the same, a human being created by God.

    I also learned that If I would have listened to my elders I may not have had to experience these trials.  From this time forward I made it a point to seek the wisdom of my elders through my walk in life.

    I completed my high school education and started college.

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