Onesti Receives What does veteran actor Gary Sinise, the lead singer from the country music supergroup Alabama, the CEOs of Coca Cola and Macy’s, a four-star General, the guy who invented airbags plus a host of other business leaders and community activists and Ron Onesti have in common? They all were recently presented with the very prestigious Ellis Island Medal of Honor. Each year since 1986, The National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations (NECO) has sponsored the Ellis Island Medals of Honor. The Medals are presented on Ellis Island, in a dramatic ceremony, to American citizens of diverse origins for their outstanding contributions to their communities, their nation and the world. Past Ellis Island Medal of Honor recipients include six Presidents of the United States, Nobel Prize Ron Onesti, whose company, The Onesti Entertainment Corporation, produces corporate events, festivals and concerts nationwide was more shocked than anything upon receiving the word about the award. “I kept looking around at the other recipients and couldn’t believe I was one of them,” Onesti said. With an amazing ceremony that featured all branches of the military in a reverent and unbelievably patriotic salute to the recipients, there was not a dry eye in the house. “It began with the presentation of colors by over 500 military personnel, the National Anthem followed by a solemn rendition of Taps. Then came the stories from people who survived the Tsunami, people who raise millions of dollars for children with the AIDS virus and major military heroes leading the fight in Iraq. It really tore out your heart,” Ron said. The event culminated with a spectacular fireworks display surrounding the Statue of Liberty. The consistent message throughout the evening was the about the plight of those brave immigrant pioneers who braved unchartered waters in pursuit of freedom. “This award was most special to me because it recognized my grandparents who came to America. They all passed away before I could meet any of them, so that night was my moment with them. It was my night to thank Lady Liberty for welcoming them to this great country in 1905 and establishing my family here,” Onesti said. The list of former recipients is a who’s who of American heroes. They include Muhammad Ali, Quincy Jones, Gloria Estefan, Joe DiMaggio, Bob Hope, Ronald Reagan, Rudy Giuliani, Hillary Clinton, Yogi Berra, just to name a scant few. And this not to mention the doctors, educators and financial wizards who also received the award. “The last time my father saw the Statue of Liberty,” Ron said, “was when he returned home from WWII. To have both my parent witness the ceremony was a moment I will never forget. It was truly a life-altering experience that I wish I could have shared with all of my friends and family.” Onesti was joined by ten members of his immediate family who broke bread in the “Great Hall,” the same place where thousands of immigrants were processed as they exited the boat. “I owe a great debt to the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame,” Onesti said. “They nominated me and supported me through every step of the process.”
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