At 87 years old, Cavalier Alfredo Tarabella still knows how to make marble shine.
The veteran and retired marble craftsman recently returned to the installation with two fellow members of the "Pozzi" Alpini group of Pietrasanta to clean the memorial dedicated to General William Darby, a monument Tarabella himself originally donated.
Armed with buckets of warm water and soft cloths, the men carefully washed away the dust and various atmospheric agents accumulated over the years to renew the stone.
Tarabella explained that taking care of the memorial is a labor of love, "We want to return regularly to perform routine maintenance, so this monument stays in top condition for years to come,” said Tarabella.
The legacy between Camp Darby and the city of Pietrasanta is long-lasting, and Tarabella and his Alpini group are always part of the local celebrations where the U.S. military takes part. Standing proudly with his Alpini hat and holding the Alpini flag, Tarabella is a fixture at events that cannot be missed, particularly at the annual commemorations for 9/11 and the September 19 recurrence of the liberation of Pietrasanta.
The connection runs deep for Tarabella. Though marble polishing was his final trade craft where he still helps his daughter at her workplace, his dedication to service extends far beyond his career. In 1961, while serving as an Alpini driver, Tarabella earned the esteemed title of Cavaliere della Repubblica Italiana for his heroic actions in rushing a pregnant woman through difficult conditions to save her life.
Italian Base Commander Col. Salvatore Pisciotta thanked Tarabella for his ongoing dedication to the community. Later, Tim Andersen, the U.S. Army Garrison Italy Deputy Garrison Manager, also stepped forward to thank the veterans and shared stories about each other’s military history. "It’s an incredible honor to stand here with men who embody such a deep legacy of service and community; craftsmanship and dedication like yours bridge generations and keep our shared history alive. We thank you fine gentlemen for your continued support to the Darby Community," said Andersen.
"For me, honoring American service members brings me right back to my childhood," Tarabella said. "When I was just five years old, my family was displaced by the fighting in the hills of Pietrasanta. I vividly remember an American soldier calling me over and telling me, 'Tomorrow, the war will be over.' Just as he promised, it was.