Excalibur Blog

A year ago I wrote a blog titled “A Soldier’s Heart Never Dies” about how the US soldiers bravely escort the remains of their fallen comrades home for proper burial. In the article, I mention that my Dad, Anthony Marchese, was a soldier in the Army during World War II. This blog is dedicated to his memory. I give you “On Behalf of a Grateful Nation”

My Dad passed away on July 24th of this year.

On Monday, August 2nd, 2010 my family and I buried my Dad. He was 87 years old. During his wake he was visited by respected dignitaries: Commander of the Catholic War Veterans of Woodside, of which they presented Dad with the ‘Deceased Medal of Honor’, the President of my Kiwanis club, Bob Kueber, former State Senator Serf Maltese, among others. Ten years ago, the Senator along with Mayor Mike Bloomberg decorated my Dad and other veterans of World War II with long awaited medals of honor for their service to the country.

The rites began with a final prayer led by the Funeral Director James, upon which I led the prayer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, as this was my father’s favorite prayer. My brother Anthony and I, together prayed and held our father’s hand for the last time. “I love you Dad,” we said over and over again, our final moments with him. My heart was pounding in my chest. A great cry wanted to be expressed, but for some reason it would not break.

Before the closing of the casket, my children, Andrea and John, gave their grandfather a rosary created with red tea roses. The flowers were wrapped around Dad’s neck to be with him for all time. Anthony and I created memory posters of our life with Dad and placed them by his side. His nameplate was fashioned to the foot of the sarcophagus and then locked forever in eternal sleep. At that moment his life was now finished. In my heart, I knew he would live on there forever. My bother and I assisted in draping the American Flag over his casket.

We then proceeded to St. Sebastian’s R.C. Church in Woodside where Fr. Gerard said a mass of Christian burial in honor of Dad. At the end of mass, we briefly eulogized our Dad. The chapel was full of family and old friends, it was great to see so many people had come out to say farewell. Council Member Elizabeth Crowley took time from her busy schedule to attend the mass, she honored my Dad and my family.

Taps began to play in Calverton National Cemetery and when all was done, Officer Willis with flag in hand pivoted on his heel, and took three steps toward me. I was about to stand, but he knelt right in front of me and placed the flag on my lap saying these words “On Behalf of a Grateful Nation I give you this flag in honor of your father.”

“On behalf of a grateful nation” I repeated to myself through tears, my heart soared with bittersweet pride for my Dad. I barely heard the priest say the final prayers as my mind kept thinking of the words “On behalf of a grateful nation.” Yes Dad, on behalf of a grateful nation indeed, and on behalf of a grateful daughter. “Thank you and I love you with all my heart.”

A year ago I wrote a blog titled “A Soldier’s Heart Never Dies” about how the US soldiers bravely escort the remains of their fallen comrades home for proper burial. In the article, I mention that my Dad, Anthony Marchese, was a soldier in the Army during World War II. This blog is dedicated to his memory. I give you “On Behalf of a Grateful Nation”

My Dad passed away on July 24th of this year.

On Monday, August 2nd, 2010 my family and I buried my Dad. He was 87 years old. During his wake he was visited by respected dignitaries: Commander of the Catholic War Veterans of Woodside, of which they presented Dad with the ‘Deceased Medal of Honor’, the President of my Kiwanis club, Bob Kueber, former State Senator Serf Maltese, among others. Ten years ago, the Senator along with Mayor Mike Bloomberg decorated my Dad and other veterans of World War II with long awaited medals of honor for their service to the country.

The rites began with a final prayer led by the Funeral Director James, upon which I led the prayer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, as this was my father’s favorite prayer. My brother Anthony and I, together prayed and held our father’s hand for the last time. “I love you Dad,” we said over and over again, our final moments with him. My heart was pounding in my chest. A great cry wanted to be expressed, but for some reason it would not break.

Before the closing of the casket, my children, Andrea and John, gave their grandfather a rosary created with red tea roses. The flowers were wrapped around Dad’s neck to be with him for all time. Anthony and I created memory posters of our life with Dad and placed them by his side. His nameplate was fashioned to the foot of the sarcophagus and then locked forever in eternal sleep. At that moment his life was now finished. In my heart, I knew he would live on there forever. My bother and I assisted in draping the American Flag over his casket.

We then proceeded to St. Sebastian’s R.C. Church in Woodside where Fr. Gerard said a mass of Christian burial in honor of Dad. At the end of mass, we briefly eulogized our Dad. The chapel was full of family and old friends, it was great to see so many people had come out to say farewell. Council Member Elizabeth Crowley took time from her busy schedule to attend the mass, she honored my Dad and my family.

Taps began to play in Calverton National Cemetery and when all was done, Officer Willis with flag in hand pivoted on his heel, and took three steps toward me. I was about to stand, but he knelt right in front of me and placed the flag on my lap saying these words “On Behalf of a Grateful Nation I give you this flag in honor of your father.”

“On behalf of a grateful nation” I repeated to myself through tears, my heart soared with bittersweet pride for my Dad. I barely heard the priest say the final prayers as my mind kept thinking of the words “On behalf of a grateful nation.” Yes Dad, on behalf of a grateful nation indeed, and on behalf of a grateful daughter. “Thank you and I love you with all my heart.”

The past few weeks have been tumultuous on my family. My Dad was critically ill which unfortunately led to his death last weekend. I sat many times at my screen and the words just would not come to the page. My mind, my heart and my soul blank with feelings, literally numb.

Friends and family called or sent e-mails asking how Dad was or asking how I was holding up, bravely I replied, “ I am okay.” But the reality was I really am not. Worried, scared, terrified is more like it. Showing my vulnerable side is never easy for me. I am the warrior constant forging on in battle just like my character Arianna in my Excalibur books. Nevertheless, just as she was afraid to battle her nemesis’ Queen Mab, I had to realize that I could be afraid for my Dad first, and then I could be courageous, battle, and pray for him, tell him I loved him over and over again. I could tell him it was okay to leave this earth, leave me, and go to my mother and dance with her in heaven.

That was not easy for me. My friends who know me, not just in life, but also through my books, my poems and my blogs all came to my rescue. A brief call with words of comfort, a poem, a short story about life and the toils it brings to us. Every thought, word and deed allowed me to realize that YES, I can be weak in the face of adversity and in the company of those who care for me I can find the strength and wisdom to go on.

Life is messy and complicated, and in that mayhem, if we can find a flower and realize how wondrous it is, or a poem that makes us cry and then we can lift ourselves up again, then we know who our friends are, and why God put them there for us.

To know that within the dark there is a light, within the fall there is the grasp of a warm embrace, and the graciousness’ of other human beings to keep our cup of courage full when we know it has emptied.

To these friends I say “Thank you” for all of you carries a gift within you—it is simple—it is called LOVE!

The past few months have been an emotional roller coaster for me. After the Easter holidays, I began to see some problems arising at my reading program. One week, I hosted a “Mommy and Me” event; I had so many kids and moms that we were packed in like sardines. Then there was another time when a mom came in and asked me about have a reading party for her child. I wanted to book it right away, but there were going to be 15 children at the party and my room did not have enough space to house all those kids. The Excalibur Reading Program had outgrown Frankie’s Playce.

I began to worry that as my non-for profit program grew, I was going to tell parents that wanted my services for their children that my class was full. Could I say no to a child? That hurt me deeply and I knew it was time for change. This was not easy for me to think about. I loved my reading room at Frankie’s and did not want to leave.

I do my work from my heart that is the key to working with children. Give a child your heart and their smiles pay you back a million-zillion fold.

At a meeting I mentioned to Walter Sanchez, Publisher of the Queens Ledger, that I was looking for a new home for the Excalibur Reading Program. I was not aware that Walter knew a friend who was expanding her school. Six weeks ago, Walter introduced me to Annette Malone, Principal of A Place to Dance. We spoke about her wish to turn her ‘dance’ school into a School of the Arts, bringing different forms of the arts to children and adults in the area. That day not only did Annette invite me to bring my reading program to the school, but she asked if I would teach in her school as well! I answered with a resounding and joyful, “Yes”!

This weekend Annette told me my fencing class is going to be showcased at the yearly recital, and then she asked me to help her with the creative end of the programming in the school! I felt at that moment that I was back in Manhattan, off-broadway, and my head started to spin with ideas for the year. Then Annette gave me the key to the school, welcoming me with hugs and kisses.

As she gave me the key and as I write this now I have chills—Today I am finally home!

Almost two years ago I began the Excalibur Reading Program at Frankie’s Playce, a children’s hair salon and toy store in the Shops at Atlas Park, Queens, NY. The program took a long while to catch on.

In June of 2009, I hosted two Child Safety Events to bring awareness to my program and its agenda to the public. Two weeks later I began to see my classes growing! The children learned to fall in love with reading stories and expressing them with conversation and craft. Parents enjoyed a few moments to themselves.

By the end of July, 2009, I had a steady stream of children in each class twice a week. The best day and the most rewarding day came while I was reading a book titled “The Very Hungry Caterpillar”. A seven-year-old girl with Austism stood from her chair and came over to me, pointed to the page, and said in a clear voice, “caterpillar”. Her sister laughed and said “Ms. Angelica, she said a word!” She said that word over and over again. Her mother stood with tears in her eyes. That day was a dream I will never forget.

Then, without warning, my reading program came to a screeching halt when Frankie’s Playce closed. Atlas Park was taken over by Big Business and they wanted us out. Eventually, Frankie found a new locale and opened again in December. Unfortunately, that long hiatus took its toll on the program as parents sought other programs to fill their children’s needs.

So, I took this hiatus to work towards getting The Excalibur Reading Program certified by the New York State Board of Education. I visited local schools, presenting a Creative Writing program and talked about the Excalibur Reading Program. I also gained non-profit status, with the hopes of bringing my program to every child in Queens. While praying that the program would re-open and be successful, I worked hard to keep it accessible and affordable.

When we did re-open, my program began getting noticed by the politicians and media in the area. The Queens Ledger publisher, Water Sanchez, did an article about me. Walter, on a whim, introduced me to Annette Malone, owner and Principal Dancer of a school called, “A Place to Dance” in Maspeth, NY. Annette and I realized that we both worked in the same community theatre many years ago. She even taught ballet and jazz to my daughter! Small world!

The rest, as they say, is history. Annette fell in love with my reading program and instantly welcomed me into her school. I was overwhelmed by finally getting the opportunity to teach in a school with such values. She invited me to teach my Creative Writing program, as well as my Fencing program. After our partnership became official, A Place to Dance became A Place to Dance – School for the Arts. I am so proud to be involved with this incredible new school, and I am so excited to grow the Excalibur Reading Program. My dream is coming true, and I invite the children of dreams to jump in a join me.

Please visit the new program this fall. Sign up for the newsletter or check the website for more updates!

A Place to Dance/School for the Arts

55-19 69th Street

Maspeth, NY 11378
718-416-1725