Representatives of honoree organizations surround Toni’s portrait. From left, Frank Duckworth, American Legion; John Rogers, Veterans of Foreign Wars; Howard Thiele, Transylvania Honor Guard; and Jeff Miller, Blue Ridge Honor Flight
May 17, 2020, Toni Lee Casciato, beloved wife of Emmett Casciato, founder and curator of the 爆料公社, suddenly passed away. Donations to the museum in Toni鈥檚 memory enabled the establishment of the Toni Lee Casciato (TLC) Memorial Fund for the benefit of veterans鈥 causes embraced by its namesake. 鈥淭he outpouring for our museum in her name was unbelievable,鈥 said Emmett Casciato.
On Wednesday, September 23, Toni鈥檚 picture greeted an audience of TLC Fund donors, city and county officials, museum board members, and volunteers to present these awards.
The recipients of support from the fund were:
鈥 Blue Ridge Honor Flight, represented by Co-Founder Jeff Miller
鈥 The Transylvania County Honor Guard, represented by Commander Howard Thiele
鈥 The American Legion, Monroe Wilson Post 88, represented by Vice-Commander Frank Duckworth
鈥 The Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 4309, represented by Commander John Rogers
Each honoree received a check and a framed certificate of appreciation (shown below) signed by Emmett and his daughter, Abby Moore, who is a member of the museum鈥檚 advisory council.
After leading the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance, Casciato introduced the ceremony with recollections of his wife鈥檚 commitment to the museum and its mission. 鈥淪he was a true patriot,鈥 he said. 鈥淪he loved our country and our veterans and was behind the scenes on everything that happened at the museum.鈥
The fund鈥檚 recipients expressed their gratitude for the museum鈥檚 support. John Rogers offered Casciato heartfelt thanks on behalf of the VFW, while Frank Duckworth noted that the American Legion is proud and happy to support the museum which is 鈥渢he most wonderful honor for veterans that鈥檚 happened in Transylvania County and Brevard in quite some time.鈥
鈥淪eeing everyone gathered here warms my heart,鈥 said Honor Guard Commander Howard 鈥淪arge鈥 Thiele. 鈥淚 was privileged to know Toni. She will be missed and remembered by every one of us because she touched so many lives. She will never be forgotten.鈥
Blue Ridge Honor Flight Co-Founder Jeff Miller asked for a 鈥渂ig round of applause鈥 for the veterans in the audience. 鈥淭hanks to each of you,鈥 he said. 鈥淚鈥檓 humbled to be surrounded by people who have given so much. I never served my country, but I鈥檓 dedicated to serving those who have. Honor flights pay tribute to veterans. We want to assure that people remember the things given to them by folks like you and to make sure our veterans are not forgotten. They鈥檙e never gone, and Toni is never gone.鈥
As the ceremony concluded on this overcast morning, the sun suddenly broke through the clouds and illuminated the photograph of Toni Casciato. Emmett said, 鈥淭he sun is out. Toni鈥檚 smiling down on us.鈥 Her legacy will continue.
to watch WLOS-TV video journalist Ken Corn’s video of the event.