Twin Towers

Nestled among the hills of Basilicata that slope toward the Ofanto river lies Lavello, an ancient town built upon the grounds of historic Forentum, preserving a deep agricultural heritage that has crossed centuries. It was from this fertile land, renowned for its golden wheat and Aglianico wine, that many embarked for the Americas in the early twentieth century, carrying an invaluable spirit of resilience overseas. Among them was the great-grandfather of Andrea Thomas Serra. Arriving in New York, after serving as a U.S. soldier in World War I, he founded a trucking and demolition business, forging a legacy of hard work passed down through generations. Raised in New York, Andrea chose a life of service, joining the Fire Department of the City of New York in 1998 and dedicating twenty-five years to the department, ultimately reaching the rank of Captain. He was on the front lines following September 11, 2001, enduring months of recovery efforts at Ground Zero where he recovered the remains of firefighter John Tipping. Driven to clear the squad's name from false rumors and honor their heroic actions saving lives in an elevator, Andrea turned to writing, penning the book Finding John. Today, that connection to his heritage remains strong. After studying the language and meeting his wife, Andrea brought Italian traditions into the heart of his family life with their children, Sofia and Luca—from Christmas Eve culinary traditions to time spent among the vineyards and hills of central Italy. It is a powerful journey showing that heritage is not a choice between two countries, but an enduring bond bridging New York and the soil of Basilicata.