I spent the morning exploring unmarked and, without some guide
as to what transpired there, apparently unremarkable sites of
American heroism, separated by a largely stalemated few months, at
Monte Artemisio and Isola Bella. This was followed by the
Commonwealth War Cemetery at Anzio and the American
Military Cemetery Sicily-Rome at Nettuno.
I could not help but hold in my heart our recently fallen
heroes, their comrades and their families. Before becoming the
father of two boys I had been to Normandy’s resting place several
times, then others at Luxembourg, Cassino and elsewhere, always
deeply moving. Today, seeing the facade’s image of a
fallen, broken young man was just more than I could handle
gracefully (fourth photo on the home page; I don’t know Mac enough
to know how to ‘right click’ for properties).
I don’t know how to sufficiently honor the sacrifices of our
troops and their families. But it doesn’t hurt to keep trying,
especially when we are reminded of their courage, and loss.
