He Met Those Honored Dead

Lou DiGiusto of Darien, who will give the keynote speech at the town's Memorial Day ceremony, didn't just read about the soldiers who suffered and died in America's service.

He's known them face to face, interviewed them and told their stories.

A veteran and the son of a World War II vet who lost his life in the line of duty, DiGiusto also met and interviewed soldiers as a documentary film producer and director.

"I've had the distinct privilege of getting to meet some of the people who we honor on Memorial Day, who have given everything to their country," he said.

This year's town Memorial Day ceremony takes place in Spring Grove Cemetery just after the town parade on Monday, May 27. The parade is expected to end at about 11:30 a.m.

DiGiusto, an executive trainer, coach and management consultant, began his career as a Department of Defense specialist assigned to the U.S. Army Signal Corps' Army Pictorial Center, producing training films. He has written, directed and produced PBS specials and television shows.

DiGiusto's father was a U.S. Navy aviator who died in the line of duty. His step father, Lt. Col. William Aull, was a company commander who served with the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, a unit of Japanese-American soldiers who fought in battle while their families were still held in internment camps.

DiGiusto later interviewed veterans from the unit for a documentary, and he's written a 10-minute play about their experiences, "Go for Broke" (also the unit's motto). The piece will be presented with three other 10-minute plays at Darien Library as part of the library's Catherine Lindsey Playwrighting Series.

Also taking part in the ceremony will be Phil Kraft, the grand marshal for the parade. Kraft has long organized the parade (this will be the first parade that his successors have organized).

Kraft, a Vietnam veteran, is president and executive director of the National Veterans Services Fund, has been commander of the Darien Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6933 since 2000, and is also a member of the American Legion.

He also continues to serve on the Darien Monuments and Ceremonies Commission.

Editor's note and correction: This article was updated at 10:53 a.m. with more exact information. It was DiGiusto's stepfather who served with the 442nd, not his father, as originally stated.