Post 50 Pelham NY Veteran's Day
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| Service: |
Army |
| Unit Name: |
91st Infantry Division |
| Date: |
May 01, 2005 - May 05, 2005 |
| Place: |
Rome-Nettuno-Florence |
| City: |
Italy |
| State: |
OTHER |
| Person to Contact: |
Ken Kraetzer |
| Email Contact Person: |
Send Email
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| Comments: |
Pelham American Legion Post 50 Initiates Commemoration
of World War II 60th Anniversary Ceremonies in Italy
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Pelham, NY, November 9, 2004 One of the most important yet often overlooked campaigns in World War II will be recognized in May 2005 when ceremonies will be held to honor the sacrifices made by the forces of freedom in the Battle for Italy. The ceremonies have been initiated by American Legion Post 50 from Pelham, NY, which features several veterans of this conflict.
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Post 50, together with fellow organizations of the American Legion, plan to conduct memorial ceremonies on the 60th anniversary day of the surrender of German forces to American and Allied forces on Monday May 2 at the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery and Memorial which is located in Nettuno, a short drive south of Rome. On Thursday May 5, a wreath laying ceremony will be held at the Florence American Cemetery located near Florence, Italy.
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At the Nettuno cemetery, 7,861 Americans are buried and 3,095 American military personnel who were Missing in Action are memorialized. At Florence, 4,402 Americans are buried and 1,409 MIAs are listed on a memorial.
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The ceremonies will be an opportunity for those lost 60 years ago to be remembered in the presence of WWII veterans and their families. The project has the support of the American Legion at the levels of County of Westchester and State of New York. National Commander Thomas Cadmus has written to Post 50 and strongly encouraging us to "Carry out the Plan".
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The Battle for Italy which began on September 3, 1943 with an amphibious landing by Allied forces on the southernmost tip of the country and continued until May 2, 1945, the final week of the war. The 602-day campaign was the longest of any conducted by the US military during WWII and claimed the lives of over 19,000 American service men and women. Beyond those who made the ultimate sacrifice in Italy, thousands more were injured, including future United States Senators Robert Dole and Daniel Inouye.
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In 1994, memorial ceremonies were held at Nettuno on the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of the liberation of Rome. On that occasion the ceremony was led by then President Clinton and four US Senators who had served in Italy during WWII.
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Residents of Pelham who are memorialized at Nettuno include Capt. Kendall K. Fish US Army Air Force who died on April 24, 1945. At the Florence Memorial, Flight Officer Bertley H. Moberg US Army Air Forces who died on March 14, 1945 and First Lieutenant Ellsworth Totten III US Army Air Forces who died on Dec. 23, 1944 are both listed. These two sites along with other overseas military cemeteries run by the American Battle Monuments Commission are sacred places for all Americans to remember.
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To help veterans and their families participate in the ceremonies in Italy, travel plans are being coordinated by two tour companies. ==============================================
Andy Ambrose of Stephen Ambrose Historical Tours at 1-888-903-3329 (which will provide a historic military perspective) or Harriet Balter of Rich Worldwide Travel at 1-914-835-7600 x134 or 1-800-431-1130 (which will provide a tour highlighting Italian culture and history
===================================== === ===== The American Legion is the world's largest Veteran's Association with nearly three million members. American Legion Post 50, is commanded in 2004-2005 by Michael Barrett and has over 160 members. Post 50 plans and conducts the Town of Pelham's annual Memorial Day Parade and Veteran's Day Ceremony commemorating the 83 residents lost in military service during four wars of the 20th Century. Members of the Post are active in entertaining veterans being cared for in Veterans Administration facilities and supporting youth programs such as Boy's State.
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For additional participant information, contact Kenneth G. Kraetzer, Jr. at (914) 381-5353 or by e-mail at (kgk914@aol.com).
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| Posted by: |
Ken Kraetzer |
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