Boy Scout Troop 236 of Rome was in charge of cleaning the 7,861 graves in the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery. Most of these American soldiers died taking Sicily (island off the toe of the Italian "boot") from the occupuying Germans July 10, 1943 and taking Anzio beach (hour south of Rome) Jan 22, 1944.
This cemetery is laid out similar to Normandy Beach in France with the rows of white marble crosses.
Even though Mussolini sided with the Germans, many Italians did all they could to help the Americans fight the Germans. So both flags are displayed here in the cemetery. The bronze statue (top photo) is of an American and Italian soldier and is titled "comrades in arms."
It was hard work scrubbing off the bird poop and mold but the service project gave us time to contemplate the selflessness and bravery of our WWII deceased.
I couldn't help but tear up when I scrubbed. These soldiers weren't but a few years older than my boys. One of the first ones I scrubbed "Samuel Williamsen" died on my b-day. He died so I could be born 23 later in a free country, the greatest country in the world-- America.
It took an hour and a half for four of us to scrub a section of 500 crosses.
Little Natalie cleaned and scrubbed and carried her load alongside the boys.
After seeing the horrific concentration camp this last summer in Dachau, I think it finally sunk in to my kids that these lives of our soldiers were not sacrificed in vain. They died for a noble cause.This past year Trevor decided that he wants to try to get into the Air Force Academy and Brendan decided he wants to be a Marine. One of a mother's greatest fear is sending her sons off to war... But having shown them battlesites in Europe, having shown them the courage of our military servicemen--they have begun to see that freedom is only a word unless you are willing to stand up and defend what you believe in....how can I not back them in such a sacrifice? 
Steve wasn't able to help us clean this year (last year he spent all day cleaning with us). Steve was down in Sicily for the Memorial of Judge Falcone who was killed by the Mafia, May 23, 1992. Judge Falcone was a young boy during the Allied Air attacks in Sicily. Falcone was a great anti-mafia defender despite the danger to he and his family all his life. Falcone and his wife were killed by a car bomb. Doing right always comes at a cost.
Steve wasn't able to help us clean this year (last year he spent all day cleaning with us). Steve was down in Sicily for the Memorial of Judge Falcone who was killed by the Mafia, May 23, 1992. Judge Falcone was a young boy during the Allied Air attacks in Sicily. Falcone was a great anti-mafia defender despite the danger to he and his family all his life. Falcone and his wife were killed by a car bomb. Doing right always comes at a cost.
6 comments:
What a tremendous example you are to your children and to all of us. Thank you for the beautiful post.
You really touched me with this post!! Thank you! Whit
Thanks for the great post! Both my Grandma and Grandpa served in WWII they both have passed on but we had them laid to rest in the veterans memorial graveyard in Boise this last year. This was the first memorial day that their flag that was given to us for their service was flown at the enterance! Thanks again!
An awesome post!
It's good to be physically(scrubbing graves) reminded of the sacrifices our countrymen made for us. We take freedom for granted all too easily. I'm grateful that your teaching your children right!
Thanks for the reminder!
Christi
Glad you are all patriotic! Sarah how great that your grandparents served, and that they flew a flag for them at the cemetery! We love our veterans and are so appreciative of their bravery.
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