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.