Have you ever been somewhere that makes you pause and reflect?
The last place we visited in the Rome area was the Sicily - Rome American Cemetery and Memorial. It is in a town called Nettuno which is 38 miles south of Rome. We took the train and then walked about a mile or so through town to get there.
After walking through Nettuno it's like stepping through a door into a whole new world when you arrive at the cemetery. Inside the cememtery the landscaping is beautifully kept. There is a sense of order and peacefulness about it.
It's amazing how you're heart knows you're somewhere special. Even though we were the only ones there that day our voices automatically lowered to softer tones as we stepped through the gated entrance.
According to Wikipedia.....
Operation Shingle (January 22, 1944), during the Italian Campaign of World War II, was an Allied amphibious landing against Axis forces in the area of Anzio and Nettuno, Italy. The operation was commanded by Major General John P. Lucas and was intended to outflank German forces of the Winter Line and enable an attack on Rome. The resulting combat is commonly called the Battle of Anzio.
Here are some facts about the Sicily/Rome American Cemetery and Memorial we picked up at the visitor center:
*Sicily/Rome cemetery was the temporary war time cemetery site established on 24 Jan 1944: 2 days after the actual landing
*It covers 77 acres
*Total dead interred: 7,861 which represents only 35% of those who died in combat from Sicily to the liberation of Rome
*The Wall of the Missing located in the chapel has 3,095 names inscribed
*There are 488 Unknown Headstones with 490 remains; 2 Headstones have 2 remains interred
*122 Stars of David (Jewish faith)
*Two Medal of Honor recipients are interred:
SGT. Silvester Antolak, 15th Inf, 3rd Div., Ohio
1/LT Robert T. Waugh, 339th Onf, 85th Div., Rhode Island
*23 sets of brothers are buried side by side, 2 sets of twins: Kaspervick and Diblasio brothers who died 10 days apart from each other
*17 women interred: WAC, nurses, ARC, civilians, & 2 children
*Highest ranking interred: Colonel
*Sicily/Rome was established as a permanent cememtery in 1956
*SHINGLES: code word for Anzio/Nettuno Landing was named by W. Churchhill who got the idea from the cliffs near the Anzio/Nettuno landing area as seen by the sea
*Half a million tons of bombs were discharged in 4 months time in the Anzio/Nettuno area
*16 Medal of Honors were awarded for the Anzio/ Nettuno Campaign
*Sicily-Rome American Cemetery is administered and maintained by The American Battle Monuments Commission of Washington D.C.
We wandered through the burial area for quite awhile each of us in our own little worlds of pondering, imagining what those brave soldiers went through and thankful for their willingness. Walking through the sea of white crosses was a humbling experience.
The Wall of the Missing in the Chapel is what got to me the most. As a parent not knowing where your child is has to be a horrific thing to deal with. I ran my fingers over some of the names etched in the wall and tears came to my eyes. We are so grateful for their sacrifice.
My patriotic heart was so proud and happy to see Old Glory waving in the breeze for the first time in several months. One of the things I miss most living here in Sicily is putting out the flag on the front porch every morning!
Our day at the Sicily - Rome American Cemetery and Memorial was a wonderful experience I'll never forget.
God Bless America!
p.s. The pictures in this post are also in my PhotoStream with others from that day.
