I have told this story here many times over the years. My father who worked for the United Nations and a former language teacher at Teddy Roosevelt HS in the Bronx until world war 11 broke out was stationed in Pisa Italy for the UNEF. U nited Nations Emergency Force. He was a Liason Officer attached to the US Army staioned at Camp Darby and American military base We lived there for 10 years. I grew up at Camp Darby and went to American dependent schools fron the age of 6to 16 My father created the UN base in Pisa Italy and hired all the workers there. Every Vetreans Day or Memorial Day out American elementary school had a field trip to Florence We were given red fake poppy to put on all the 5,000 graves of US soldiers that died after Rome was captured in June of 1944. Florence was an hour away from Camp Darby and the cemetery is under the command of Camp Darby. The care of the cemetery was the responsibility of camp Darby personal I have such great memories of our annual trip to Florence We had the day off from school the Kool aide never had enough sugar . We ate peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and the was never enough jelly . We knew the Italian cooks on the base didn't;t know how to make P&G sandwiches or Kool aide I also remember all the crosses and the order they were in . I also remember the Jewish Star on some of the graves instead of the white crosses . My father had to explain to me about religion and why the soldiers had a star instead of a cross. I used to be able to down load the you tube video of the American Cemetery in Florece Maybe someone can down load it here . My father always said that most of these soldiers that died was because General Clark decided on his own to disobey Esinhowers order and capture the retreating German Army ,But Clark ignored his orders and captured Rome so the Germens fought and dug in as they retreated Most of the US soldiers that are buried in Florence were killed after the capture of Rome as the Germans set up defenses in every city and mountain or hill Anyway maybe some one can down load the American Cemetary and everyone csan see how beautiful its upkeep is Today all the Tour buses that go pass the Cemetery only get a short Mention " as we pass this hill if you look to your left youcan see an American Cemetery where over 4,000 Us soldiers are buried . Think about it Everyone is getting close to Florence and excited but no tour buses stop Thats gets me so fired up These kids died and are buried in Italy and all they get is a mention by a tour guide . Its sad I am 10 or 11 yrs old and still remember the freak'in Kool aid with no sugar And I always wonder to myself if any relatives of these soldiers ever came to the cemetery to see where their loved ones died fighting against the Nazi regime In the you tube video they show some people from the US visiting . But I think every tour bus should stop and walk among the graves for half and hour Anyway have a nice Vet's day and hopefully peace will be upon us .. Later
Veterans Day .. Memorial Day
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There are some videos of people making pilgrimage there. I am too ignorant of the history and geography to properly vet their merit, but I found a couple of shorter intro videos that hopefully do some justice to your sentiments. The second clip--with the aerial footage--certainly gave me the impression that the area is being respectfully preserved to honor those that paid the ultimate price.
The perspective was needed. Thanks.
I sure hope this is accurate.
Respectfully submitted.
The perspective was needed. Thanks.
I sure hope this is accurate.
Respectfully submitted.
thank you Extrapollater That " Flight " video brings tears to my eyes I always went to a grave from a name I can't remember . It was an Hispanic name like Cruz .. He was from Texas on his grave and always wondered if anyone of his family ever came out to see his grave or honor it . I love that you found that video .. thank you so much Watching that makes me feel like today is really a Holiday .. again thank you
Camp Darby has a crew of soldiers that is responsible for the upkeep of the cemetery . They cut the grass weed,etc not sure if that is still done today maybe they let the Italians upkeep it But at night they play " taps and have a small ceremony with MP's wearing there silver helmets Not sure if they still do that I also remember always going to a grave and say a prayer and trying to think if anyone from his family ever came out here to visit the grave . The cemetery is so beautiful You can see from the video 's how beautiful the crosses all line up . And I wonder if any of those tour buses stop and let people know these kids and soldiers died for Freedom Today we honor them . again thank you for sharing the video
