What I've Learned, from Esquire Magazine

Interviewed by Cal Fussman and Clinton Guy
Antonio Pierro (World War I veteran and retired jet-engine maker, 110, Swampscott, Mass.)

What I've Learned

What? What's the question?

Blond. Small breasts—so you can get closer.

You see a girl, you wish you could.

If you can't get what you wish for, forget about it.

Nick, sit down. This is my little brother Nick. He's ninety-seven.

Getting older is an adventure, not a problem.

My father's name was Rocco. Back in Italy, we would go out and trim the wool off the sheep. My father was the boss. You did it wrong—ba-boooom! We'd prune the vineyard. You did it wrong—ba-boooom! But he was a good teacher.

My mother's name? Nunzia.... Nick, is she still around?... Too bad. She was a great mother. Lot of patience with the kids. Good cook.

We had a dog when I was young. Bradamante! Don't know how it got that name. Pretty good dog. But one day she tipped over the food on the table. My father picked up the dog by the hind legs, took it outside, and ba-boooom, ba-boooom! Smashed the head against the ground. Then he told me to take Bradamante to the dump because that was it for Bradamante. I took her by the hind feet and set her in the dump outside town and went home. Three hours later, the dog was at the front door with a swollen head. Amazing...That's what you remember.

If you're going to make wine by stepping on grapes, make sure to wash your feet.

All the horses that we brought over to France sunk when the ships got hit with torpedoes. My job was to maintain the horses. So I had to learn French because the horses we got from France understood only French. To make a horse go in France, you say, Allez!

The trenches were about six feet deep. The enemy came at night. It was a tight squeeze. When you're in a tight spot, who do you call on? God is the only one who you can ask that favor.

Is there a war going on now?

Compassion in war is when you shoot somebody, you hope the fella doesn't feel any pain. Or if he does, that it don't last too long.

War is a waste of life.

When the war ended, we danced all night. T

here was a gal in France named Madelaine. Ahhhhh, Madelaine.

French girls are more up to give you a better time.

Ten years ago, I used to take my snowblower and clear everyone's walk. Not anymore. Today I fell down trying to go to the bathroom. When you can't get up, you feel like two cents.

Tell the truth. There's no other way.

Steal with your eyes, not with your hands.

It's good to have a garden.

There's too much to remember. Sometimes you gotta forget about the past.

Three meals a day. Work hard. Keep yourself clean. Get enough sleep. What else is there?

Words of wisdom are hard to get.

You see people you like, you go there.

Yeah, I was married. Good woman. My wife couldn't have any children. That's the way it turned out. It was unfortunate.

We were married forty-seven years. Kindness in giving creates love.

My bowels are all right. No complaints there.

When the time comes, you stretch out.

Won't be long now.

Adiós, amigos.

Courtesy of Esquire Magazine