Watched the other day Bush in Rome on June 5th.Over 60,000 protesting in Rome.I know they are protesting the Iraq war but how about some respect too.I'm not arguing their point on the war.
But to protest on June 5th.I know Bush had a meeting with the Pope.He presented him with some award.I also know the 60,000 were young people but just maybe some of their parents should of "schooled"them about June 5th.
On June 5th 1944 my father entered Rome in General Mark Clarks's 5th Army.That is 60 years to the day.It was the day before D-day and Normandy.
Although my father passed away 3 yrs ago his stories about the war are so vivid in my mind,it's like he told me the story yesterday.
The Gustov[German line] line was finally broken.Clark was susposed to follow the German army and entrap it.Instead he took his Army right to Rome.
He liberated Rome on June 5th.My father entered Rome riding shot gun on a jeep.Over 100,000 people lined the streets cheering the US Army.
My father was attached to the 5ths Army AMG[Allied Military Goverment] Because he was a foreign language teacher at Teddy Roosevelt HS in the Bronx.He taught Italian-Spanish and History.
His unit spent the nite at the Nord-Roma Hotel[which still exsists].
He never knew that morning Normandy was about to be invaded.
The germans the nite before had left Rome.Not a single soldier was killed in Rome's liberation.
But the germans had shot 300 Italian jews that nite in caves in the outskirts of rome.
My father stayed in Rome the rest of the war and didn't return home until 1946.His AMG unit had to work with the Italian's new goverment.My father was assigned to the education section.He was among 25 Americans and English,Canadian,New Zealanders and Australians.John Hersey the great American writer once wrote a great book about an AMG officer in Italy. "A Bell for Adano".Not sure if anyone here ever heard of it but the book and movie is about what my father did.
Imagine 1944 and the US liberates a country and free's its people.And 60 yrs later is being boo'ed.I know its not the same.And although not one soldier US soldier died entering Rome on the 5th there were many that died before the 5th at Anzio,Monte Cassini,etc.
I hope that some of the Italian elders and teachers taught that to their kids....
But to protest on June 5th.I know Bush had a meeting with the Pope.He presented him with some award.I also know the 60,000 were young people but just maybe some of their parents should of "schooled"them about June 5th.
On June 5th 1944 my father entered Rome in General Mark Clarks's 5th Army.That is 60 years to the day.It was the day before D-day and Normandy.
Although my father passed away 3 yrs ago his stories about the war are so vivid in my mind,it's like he told me the story yesterday.
The Gustov[German line] line was finally broken.Clark was susposed to follow the German army and entrap it.Instead he took his Army right to Rome.
He liberated Rome on June 5th.My father entered Rome riding shot gun on a jeep.Over 100,000 people lined the streets cheering the US Army.
My father was attached to the 5ths Army AMG[Allied Military Goverment] Because he was a foreign language teacher at Teddy Roosevelt HS in the Bronx.He taught Italian-Spanish and History.
His unit spent the nite at the Nord-Roma Hotel[which still exsists].
He never knew that morning Normandy was about to be invaded.
The germans the nite before had left Rome.Not a single soldier was killed in Rome's liberation.
But the germans had shot 300 Italian jews that nite in caves in the outskirts of rome.
My father stayed in Rome the rest of the war and didn't return home until 1946.His AMG unit had to work with the Italian's new goverment.My father was assigned to the education section.He was among 25 Americans and English,Canadian,New Zealanders and Australians.John Hersey the great American writer once wrote a great book about an AMG officer in Italy. "A Bell for Adano".Not sure if anyone here ever heard of it but the book and movie is about what my father did.
Imagine 1944 and the US liberates a country and free's its people.And 60 yrs later is being boo'ed.I know its not the same.And although not one soldier US soldier died entering Rome on the 5th there were many that died before the 5th at Anzio,Monte Cassini,etc.
I hope that some of the Italian elders and teachers taught that to their kids....
