Lloyd Wolf Photographer: OUDC | Class 22 retreat with Peter Edelman and Joe from Mario's

Class 22 of Operation Understanding DC met with Peter Edelman and other veterans involved in the civil rights struggles of the 1960's as part of their recent spring retreat.

As as part of their day, they visited Mario's Pizza on Wilson Boulevard in Arlington, Virginia. Mario's had been the site of anti-black and anti-Semitic demonstrations by George Lincoln Rockwell and the American Nazi Party in the early 1960's. Long-time Mario's employee and Arlington icon, Joe, came out to speak to the students. The incident had occurred a bit prior to his employment at Mario's (he's been there 49 years), but he said that some cooks at the time came out with big kitchen knives and had run Rockwell and crew off the premises. It was a treat to hear him speak, especially about how well the family that owns the restaurant has treated him and his coworker Lefty as valued family since day one. Living history - and such a genuine nice guy.