WW2 Vet commemorates 9/11
By: Leslie Draffin
Updated: September 12, 2012
When the towers fell, World War Two veteran Mike Romanos thought back to the first time he'd seen his nation under attack. After Pearl Harbor, the 17 year old knew what he wanted to do, "my dad was a Greek immigrant and I was about to turn 18 so I told him I wanted to join but he'd have to sign for me and he says 'son this is your country fight for it' so I did."
But after 9/11 Mike knew he couldn't fight for his country in the same way, instead the self-taught artist did what he does best. "It came to me right away, I wanted the eagle because it represents our freedom."
Mike designed, painted and built a sign outside his business within one day of the attacks. It's been standing ever since as a reminder to him and anyone else who drives by it. His wife Latha, who was born in Sri Lanka, says she hopes it reminds everyone how special America is, "its a free country, I want them to understand the value of freedom."
Now the message may be tattered and torn from years in the sun, but its still standing. "It's looking pretty good so far," Mike says.
Still standing, like the country the Romanos love so much, "we don't want this to happen to our country, America is beautiful, wonderful, I love it," Katha adds.
Patriots through and through.
But after 9/11 Mike knew he couldn't fight for his country in the same way, instead the self-taught artist did what he does best. "It came to me right away, I wanted the eagle because it represents our freedom."
Mike designed, painted and built a sign outside his business within one day of the attacks. It's been standing ever since as a reminder to him and anyone else who drives by it. His wife Latha, who was born in Sri Lanka, says she hopes it reminds everyone how special America is, "its a free country, I want them to understand the value of freedom."
Now the message may be tattered and torn from years in the sun, but its still standing. "It's looking pretty good so far," Mike says.
Still standing, like the country the Romanos love so much, "we don't want this to happen to our country, America is beautiful, wonderful, I love it," Katha adds.
Patriots through and through.
