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Americans, Italians Mark World War II Anniversary
Story Number: NNS050505-06
Release Date: 5/5/2005 11:09:00 AM
By Journalist 1st Class Eric Brown, Commander, Naval Forces Europe Public Affairs Task Force World War II 60th Anniversary Public Affairs
NETTUNO, Italy (NNS) -- Hundreds of American and Italian service members, veterans and civilians gathered at the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery and Memorial in Nettuno, Italy, May 2, to commemorate the end of fighting in Europe during World War II.
The Navy provided about 65 Sailors to perform ceremonial details for the day’s events, which included music played by the U.S. 6th Fleet Band, a color guard and an honor guard. Soldiers from the U.S. Army’s Southern European Task Force also participated, and a 21-gun salute was performed by a Marine security forces detail from Rota, Spain.
“Exactly 60 years ago today, the German forces stopped fighting here in Italy,” said U.S. ambassador to Italy, Mel Sembler. “On May the 7, 1945, after three-and-a-half years of fighting against the Allied forces, Nazi Germany surrendered.
“To the veterans that are here today, I say thank you. Thank you for answering the call to bring freedom and peace to Italy and to Europe; thank you for the liberty that we Americans - and we Italians – enjoy today.”
Adm. Mike Mullen, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe/Joint Force Command Naples, also expressed his gratitude for the contributions of the men and women who won the Italian campaign.
“We who were born and raised in the shadow of your achievement 60 years ago remain in bewildered awe of your courage and your sacrifice,” he said. “The victory you so nobly won altered the course of modern history. It shaped the destiny not only of Europe and America, but of democracy itself.”
About 10 American and 25 Italian World War II veterans attended the ceremony, held on the marble steps of the memorial, which faces the cemetery’s 7,861 graves.
Jim Armstrong, a native of Akron, Ohio, was among the Americans to be honored for his role in the liberation of Italy.
“I joined the military in January of 1942, and got out in 1946,” remembered the 87-year-old Army veteran. “I was sent overseas with the 91st Division and worked as platoon leader and company executive officer.
“I was wounded April 16, 1945, and lost my right leg below the knee when I stepped on a mine in the Italian mountains. The war ended two weeks later.”
Armstrong said he would be in Europe for about a week, attending other World War II 60th anniversary events, including one in England, and another in Florence, Italy. “That’s where my comrades are buried,” he said.
Mullen was quick to point out that today’s service members are also defending freedom around the globe and carrying on the legacy of the World War II generation.
“I can tell you that this generation of fighting men and women know all too well how high the stakes really are,” said Mullen. “They know their mission, and they are accomplishing it magnificently. We are winning this fight. Freedom’s march continues. And one day I am convinced we will honor their victory the same way we so rightly honor yours today.”
The ceremony at Nettuno was one of about 130 events commemorating the 60th anniversary of World War II to be held in Europe, beginning with the D-Day observances in Normandy, France, in June.
“Not all of them have been large-scale events like this – many have been very small local events, which we have supported with military forces,” said Maj. Gen. David Zabecki, the Department of Defense executive director for the 60th anniversary observances in Europe. “We are fortunate to have a number of WWII veterans here today, both Italian and American. The significance of this is it is probably the last major milestone at which any of these great old heroes will be around for us to thank them personally.
The 60th anniversary events celebrating the end of World War II in Europe will conclude in Margraten, Netherlands May 8, commemorating V-E Day.
For more news from around the fleet, visit www.navy.mil.
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