The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Author donates book proceeds to veterans
Torrington man’s work aided by local family
TORRINGTON — City native Mike Galitello donated proceeds from his literary efforts to aid fellow veterans Friday — the latest in a series of charitable works and offerings he plans to continue.
Galitello, a veteran of the Korean War, released his first book, “Katerina’s Tears,” in 2014. He followed it with a holiday tale for children, “The Ornament,” in 2015, and recently released “Just Us.”
The latest work was crafted with the aid of the Pinto family, which runs Act Natural Health & Wellness on Water Street in Torrington. Rob Carr, the ghostwriter of the first two books and a former intelligence officer in
the U.S. Army, helped bring the effort together.
Carr said he had visited the store and come away impressed with Olivia Pinto’s writing skills. It was a pleasure to help his fellow veterans and give Olivia a chance to hone her talent.
“Olivia has quite a talent. And anybody who’s an artist — I don’t care if they’re a writer, a poet, a painter — it’s so hard to get any kind of recognition or acknowledgment,” said Carr, who edited the latest book. “When I saw her talent — her native talent — I just thought, well, this is terrific . ... That was really my motivation.”
Olivia Pinto said Friday the process of putting the book together had taught her about working well with others. She believes they did a pretty good job.
“Because this is my first job experience, it gave me experience about working collaboratively with people, how to work with people, how to be a ghostwriter, and really, how to write,” said Olivia Pinto. “It’s given me a wonderful experience to be able to deal with Rob and Mike, who are great people... It’s been great in general.”
Isabella Pinto, her sister, appears on the book’s cover. Galitello asked for her help and, as they searched for a role for her, came up with the idea.
Pinto had some experience being photographed — she has performed in musical theater and has taken headshots. But this is the first time she has been on the cover of a book. She said she was pleased to take part in the community effort to aid veterans.
“I thought it would be something really nice to be a part of,” Isabella Pinto said.
American Legion Post 38 Commander Bruce Falls, Torrington Veterans Service Office administrator
Bud Atwood and state Rep. Michelle Cook, D-Torrington, were in attendance Friday, as Galitello presented his latest check.
Atwood said the funds would help keep gasoline in the cars of veterans and food on their table, among other uses.
“It’s greatly appreciated, really. We’re all volunteers; we work on donations to run the facility, and every bit helps,” Atwood said. “Mike has been a very good contributor to us. He and I talk about the Army experiences that we have and stuff like that, so, (a) good friend.”
Cook has been present for past donations by Galitello. She comes from a family of veterans, and wanted to support his unique effort to help those who served.
“It’s a true testament to the kind of gentleman that he is. He served his country, he gave, put his life on the life, and now he has recognized that that just didn’t stop, and this is his way of giving back,” Cook said. “He’s partnered with people in the community and he’s made sure that his donations give back locally to the community that is his home. And so, for me, I don’t know of a better cause than that.”
Galitello said he feels compelled to help local veterans. This, given his creative abilities, is how he can do so — and he has no plans to stop. He said he has more books in mind — a cheerful work about children who build a racehorse, fooling the world to aid their family; a story about a father, given a glimpse of a turtle with healing powers, who fights to help his disabled daughter; as well as a murder mystery.
Galitello said he is driven by the memory of those who served and fell alongside him, which remains close at hand.
“I feel like I have to give back, and this is my way of doing it. It’s like a relief to my conscience — it helps me sleep at night, because I know I’m doing good for those that didn’t make it home,” Galitello said. “I feel obligated to honor them in my way.”
He said he, and those in attendance Friday, had wanted to lend a hand with a worthy cause.
“(Veterans are) in desperate need of help, assistance, attention. And it’s our duty, our writers and the people here in this group, to provide that for them, because we’re dedicated to the Army, to the soldiers, for what they sacrificed for our safety and our freedom,” said Galitello.