I want to tell you a 150-year-old story about an orphan from Italy.

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Born in 1865; Acerra, Italy.

He grew up poor; a peasant, no work, no family.

One day, alone, he boarded a ship; sailed west, New York City.

At 16 years of age, he arrived; Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty.

Unable to read or write, he found work on the railroad.

Walked twelve miles a day, through snow, sleet, and heat.

Eventually, he met a girl; years later, started a family.

All of this took place in Berkley Heights, New Jersey.

The man grew old, had grandkids; more generations followed.

Over a century later came me; humbled for what the man sacrificed and gave me.

Domenico Russo; an orphan, an immigrant; my great-great-grandfather.