Hundreds of American and Italian attendees, including veterans from VFW Mediterranean Post 8862, gather under blue skies at the Florence American Cemetery in Italy on May 25, 2026, to honor the 4,392 service members buried on the grounds and 1,409 missing in action. The Memorial Day ceremony featured a ceremonial flyover by F-16 fighter jets from the 555th Fighter Squadron, the laying of more than a dozen commemorative wreaths by military leadership, including U.S. Army Garrison Italy Garrison Commander Col. Vaughn Strong Jr. and Deputy Garrison Manager Tim Andersen, and the placement of flags at every headstone by American and Italian boy scouts.
CAMP DARBY, Italy – More than 100 service members from across the U.S. and Italian Armed Forces joined on Leghorn Army Depot on Friday to test their determination in the Norwegian Foot March.
The event is a test of physical and mental endurance, requiring participants to complete a 30-kilometer (18.6-mile) course while carrying a 25-pound rucksack. To earn the coveted Norwegian Foot March Badge, participants had to navigate three 10-kilometer loops around the depot within strict time limits based on age and gender.
"It went fantastic, the rain and cold actually helped keep runners cooler," said Staff Sgt. Jacob Walters, 529th Military Police Company and the event organizer. "Next year I want to increase numbers. The units come...
