NPR reports the two Trump campaign workers responsible for attacking the Army staff on post at Arlington National Cemetery have now been identified.
The two staffers ... are deputy campaign manager Justin Caporale and Michel Picard, a member of Trump’s advance team.
This is Justin Caporale, shown here with his boss, Donald Trump
One of the reasons these culprits were identified is that after the Arlington Attack made headlines, Justin Caporale thought it would be funny to add insult to injury and follow up on his attack with a flex to show he was a tough guy. He actually posted an image of Tony Sirico, shown above, on his Instagram story for that purpose. Talk about a misguided show of braggadocio. Calling this insult to injury is an understatement. Forget about Paulie Walnuts and the Sopranos for a moment. Let’s talk about Tony Sirico, the man who played Paulie Walnuts. He grew up in a part of Brooklyn that’s still rough. This is a man who once told someone
I’m going to come back here and carve my initials in your forehead. You better learn a lesson. You better show me the respect I deserve.
That’s not a line from the Sopranos. That’s from one of his old police reports. He was an actor, but it wasn’t always an act. The only time Sirico felt obliged to offer input on his TV script was the time he objected to someone calling his character a “bully.” Being the true New Yorker that he was, Sirico was pleased when the writers decided he would be called a “psycho” instead. Unlike Justin and Michel, Tony Sirico was a actual tough guy, not a bully.
Tony Sirico and James Gandolfini on USO Tour in Kuwait ca. 2010
Believe it or not, there’s more to this turducken of insults. Justin wasn’t aware of who he was choosing when he chose Tony Sirico to be his avatar to add insult to injury in the wake of the Arlington attack. It turns out that before he was an actor, Tony Sirico served in the United States Army.
I have no doubt this experience was one reason why Sirico did USO Tours, along with fellow actor, James Gandolfini Jr. Unlike Sirico, Gandolfini never served, but his father did. James Gandolfini, Sr. was awarded the Purple Heart fighting in WWII. Sirico and Gandolfini both understood the freedom they enjoyed in their careers and their lives came at a price they hadn’t paid. As members of a grateful nation both men understood they had an obligation to do their part. They understood what it means to pay respect.
Thanks to Justin Caporale, Tony Sirico’s name now turns up in web searches about the Arlington attack. Justin better hope and pray that word of this insult to the memory of Tony Sirico doesn’t get back to his friends and family still in Brooklyn. They are not going to be happy if they find out about it. I don’t think a simple apology will be enough for them, either. People with long memories remember Bensonhurst was also Gregory Scarpa’s home base. If I was Caporale, I’d stay out of Brooklyn.
Speaking of apologies, let’s not forget where the buck stops on all this. Fact: Caporale and Picard work on Trump’s team, under his command. They were in his presence when the Arlington attack occurred .Their problem is now Donald Trump’s problem. He’s the man in charge. He needs to address this if he dares to step on the debate stage. If he doesn’t address it in his opening statement, I expect the moderators will do their job and raise it. They will look foolish if they try to ignore the Arlington attack. It’s gotten quite a lot of traction in the news, with considerable coverage around the world. As an aside, it will be interesting to see if Tulsi Gabbard, also a veteran, was able to prepare him for this question or not. I’m kidding; I think we all know the answer to that riddle.
Regardless of whether or not Donald Trump accepts command responsibility for the conduct of his team members, or the moderators fail to raise the issue, my hope is that Kamala Harris will take every opportunity to maul Trump and his outlandish display of contempt for the values grateful Americans hold dear for good reason. Ultimately, it boils down to the debt we all owe our forebears and the solemn obligation that places upon us to protect, defend, and preserve that legacy for future generations. Let’s hope this attack on core values is not buried in a sea of distractions tonight.
In the end, the truth plainly spoken is still the truth. For thousands of unknown Revolutionary War soldiers, the truth is they are buried in unmarked graves under Philadelphia’s Washington Square. That’s where the Tomb of the Unknown Revolutionary War Soldier is located. Standing in front of the memorial, I am always moved by the words inscribed above Washington’s head. For me, they provide one of the most poignant reminders why our solemn obligation to respect the sacrifice of patriots, known and unknown, must endure for as long as we remain a free people.
Freedom is a light for which many men have died in darkness.
