Captain Doctor Ugo d’Atri, president of The Istituto Nazionale per La Guardia D’Onore all Reale Tambe del Pantheon (The National Institute for the Royal Guards at the Royal Tombs of the Pantheon) in Rome, Italy has announced the appointment of Gravesend, Brooklyn resident Comm. Prof. Eric J. Ierardi a resident of Brooklyn, New York and Upper Black Eddy, Bucks County, PA as the United States Delegate for the Royal Guards.
Ierardi, who was knighted by Prince Victor Emmanuel IV in 1999, and also appointed as Knight Commander, has also served as the US delegate for Gruppo Savoia, having then been appointed to that position in 1999.
A well known historian in Brooklyn, Ierardi has written several books on the history of Brooklyn and founded the Gravesend Historical Society. He is currently a school administrator at IS 228-David A. Boody, 228 Avenue S, and is also a realtor at Gavin’s Real Estate in Upper Black Eddy.
The Guardia D’Onore is an extension of the Italian Military, having been founded 130 years ago. The Royal Guards protect the Tombs of Kings and Queens of Italy at the Pantheon in Rome, and function as security for the Italian Royal family.
“I am very proud to be given this new position here in the United States and hope that many others would join in my excitement to serve,” said Ierardi. “The Savoy Royal Family is responsible for the ‘Risorgimento,’ Italy’s great national revival in the mid-19th century, which led to the unification of Italy. King Victor Emmanuel, with the great assistance of Giuseppe Garibaldi, helped to create a united Italy which today is considered one of great nation’s of Europe,” concluded Ierardi.
Anyone who might be interested in becoming a candidate for membership is invited to contact Ierardi at PO Box 230154 Gravesend Station, Brooklyn, New York 11223-0154.
