Photo By Master Sgt. Daniel Griego | Texas and Italian service members stand at attention after laying wreaths in front of...... read more read more
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SAN PIETRO INFINE, Italy - The cold winter air filled the lungs of the gatherers as they stood closely in assembly, the same chilling air that some 15,000 Texas soldiers endured almost 70 years earlier. They solemnly watched the parade of honor guards, the band, the flag bearers and the wreath bearers. There to honor “the greatest generation,” they quietly whispered in Italian to each other about the significance of the event, reflecting on the sacrifices and nobility of those whom they honored on this day.
Three months following the first American combat landing on the continent of Europe, on the shores of Paestum in the Gulf of Salerno, the soldiers of Texas’ 36th Infantry Division bravely faced one of their most pivotal battles in World War II. On Dec. 12, 1943, these redoubtable infantrymen engaged the German army in the small town of San Pietro Infine, liberating the Italian citizenry from their hostile oppressors. Sixty-seven years later, veterans, descendents, dignitaries and military representatives met at the very site of deliverance and paid homage to those who lost their lives in defense of liberty.
“It’s extremely important that we honor their sacrifice so that we may live with the freedoms that we have as allied partners, both as Americans and as Italians,” said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Jerry L. Wood, commander of the U.S. Army NATO Allied Forces Southern Europe Battalion.
The ceremony, held Dec. 12, at the San Pietro Infine Memorial Park Historical Museum, featured the Commander Naval Forces Europe and Africa band, an Italian Honor Guard and the Texas Military Forces Honor Guard. Parade participants also included local and regional flag bearers, Italian military representatives and wreath bearers from the Italian and United States Armies.
“It was humbling to see how much respect and gratitude the Italian people held for Texas and the 36th ID,” said U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Cynthia Alvarez, who served as a wreath bearer. “It was an honor to have been selected to take part in their celebration.”
The Memorial Park, declared a national monument with the decree of March 18, 2008, houses a museum within the very caves used during epic battle. The museum features artifacts and relics of the war as well as a documentary video telling the story of San Pietro’s role in World War II. On the main wall hangs a static display of the 36th Infantry Division’s iconic T-Patch alongside a timeline of their period in Italy.
Also present was former U.S. Army Capt. Herman Chanowitz, World War II veteran who fought at the Battle of San Pietro Infine. Chanowitz praised the cooperative efforts of NATO and the progress attained in international peace efforts.
“And if you go there, you will see people from 30 different countries speaking 30 different languages, but all having the same objectives,” he said. “To give us the freedom and liberty, which we want and need badly.”
One cannot understate the historical significance of San Pietro Infine’s liberation from Germany. Said Fabio Vecchiarino, mayor for San Pietro, “This annual meeting is very important for the town of San Pietro. It is an event that changed the life of the town; it changed also the life of Italy and the world.”
Throughout the day’s events, a common theme of brotherhood and community emerged as each speaker paid their respects to those among the fighting 36th. Army Col. William A. Hall, vice chief for the Joint Staff of the Texas Military Forces and representative on behalf of Maj. Gen. Jose S. Mayorga, the Texas adjutant general, spoke of the pains and enduring natures of the Italian people before the arrival of the American troops.
“In spite of their suffering,” he said, “they welcomed the soldiers of the 36th Division with smiles and open hearts as if they were all members of the same extended family. The living survivors of the battle of San Pietro here and in the United States, as well as their descendents and the younger generations of soldiers serving with the 36th Division, share a deep, spiritual bond formed in those terrible weeks in December of 1943.”
For Texas veterans, the event held special meaning as each Italian representative took special care in conveying their gratitude not to the United States or its Army, or even the Allied Forces at large, but to Texas and its historic 36th Infantry Division. With memorials at Paestum, Cassino, Sant’ Angelo in Theodice and San Pietro Infine, the Italian people have marked and lasting monuments depicting the globally recognizable T-Patch and tributes to those who wore it during World War II.
“It is very important,” said Wood, “that we take time to remember those who came to fight for the liberation of the citizens of this great community, as well as all Italians.”
| Date Taken: | 12.12.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 12.21.2010 18:40 |
| Story ID: | 62436 |
| Location: | SAN PIETRO INFINE, IT |
| Web Views: | 547 |
| Downloads: | 6 |
This work, Texans, Italians Honor 36th ID on anniversary of liberation, by MSG Daniel Griego, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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