NEWSPAPERS n o i t i d E l a i c e Sp
NOVEMBER 20, 2024 candgnews.com
Macomb County and Grosse Pointe papers
‘I FEEL PRETTY GOOD FOR MY AGE’ WWII VETERAN GETS READY TO TURN 100 BY MARIA ALLARD allard@candgnews.com
WARREN — Although more than 80 years have passed since Gino D’Ambrosio went to war, there are certain memories that never faded. The World War II veteran can still hear the sound of bombs that caused widespread destruction, tears up when thinking about his captain who was killed in battle, and will never forget those long days he spent as a prisoner of war. The Warren resident recently reflected on his military service while getting ready to celebrate a milestone birthday: he turns 100 years old Nov. 18. A family party is planned this weekend. “I feel pretty good for my age,” the soon-to-be centenarian said. D’Ambrosio’s story begins in 1924 in Detroit where he was born and spent some time living in an orphanage. He was the youngest of five children, and the only sibling born in the U.S. as the other four were born in Italy. The family endured heartbreak as both parents died when the children were young. All five children were adopted by other families, but did not live together during
ABOVE: Gino D’Ambrosio, of Warren, was drafted into the U.S. Army in March 1943. During the Battle of the Bulge in 1944, he was captured by the German Army and spent five months in a prisoner of war camp. Photo provided by Bob Kolinski
LEFT: D’Ambrosio was awarded two Purple Heart medals and two Bronze Star Medals while serving in World War II.
See D’AMBROSIO on page 8A
Photo by Patricia O’Blenes
Indiana girl donates hair in SCS BY ALYSSA OCHSS aochss@candgnews.com
Jennifer Fisher, Maggie’s Wigs 4 Kids of Michigan development director, shows Jillian and her mom Amanda a book with pictures of children who received wigs from the organization. Photo by Alyssa Ochss
ST. CLAIR SHORES — An Indiana girl traveled to St. Clair Shores to donate her hair to make wigs for kids in need. After careful research and consideration, Jillian, the hair donor, ultimately decided to donate her hair to Maggie’s Wigs 4 Kids of Michigan. The organization creates wigs for children with different medical conditions, including cancer and alopecia, that causes them to lose their hair. Jillian and her mother Amanda traveled all the way from Northeast Indiana to deliver her hair to the organization. The journey takes around three hours by car to get to St. Clair Shores. Jillian said when she conducted her research, she
liked the cause and the provided information, calling it the best fit for her. She’s been growing her hair out for around five years. She said she’s wanted to donate her hair for quite a while. “At one point I was like if I want to do this then I’ve just got to do it,” Jillian said. She went on to say she went through a couple websites and found the organization. Amanda said she is very proud of her daughter. “Jillian has always been a compassionate kid who has always liked serving and helping others, especially, you know, younger, like youth, like kids, teenagers,” Amanda said. She went on to say Jillian is involved in a variety of different organizations including places that provide See HAIR on page 10A