Post 50 SAL Trip to Italy May 2005 to Participate and Conduct in World War II 60th
Anniversary Ceremonies.
On May 2nd 2005 members of Post 50 and SAL 50 participated in the WWII 60th
Anniversary ceremony at the Sicily Rome American Cemetery in Nettuno Italy. The event
was initiated at the suggestion of members of the Post to commemorate the date 60 years
prior when the "Unconditional Surrender" was achieved by Allied forces in Italy.
Members of Post 50 participating were Post Post Commander Robert McGuirl, Frank
Barbieri, and Kenneth Kraetzer from the SAL. The Department of New York was
represented by State Commander Paul Cortright, who had served in Italy at a US Army
base.
American speakers at the event were Ambassador Mel Sembler and Admiral Michael
Mullen, who shortly after was promoted to Chief of Naval Operations, the highest ranking
uniformed position in the US Navy. Speakers from the Italian government were the
Minister of Defense and president of the Italian Parliament. Members of Post 50 delighted
Admiral Mullen by presenting him with a framed picture of one of his commands, the USS
Yorktown. Members of the crew of the Yorktown had been hosted by Post 50 and the
Pelham community on Memorial Day in 2003.
Commander Cortright participated in the ceremony by presenting a wreath donated by
Post 50 members and carrying a "Post 50 Pelham" ribbon. The event became a
significant media event with many members of the press taking pictures of the event, upon
returning to the hotel in Rome, Paul Cortright saw himself on the news show presenting
the wreath.
Anniversary Ceremonies.
On May 2nd 2005 members of Post 50 and SAL 50 participated in the WWII 60th
Anniversary ceremony at the Sicily Rome American Cemetery in Nettuno Italy. The event
was initiated at the suggestion of members of the Post to commemorate the date 60 years
prior when the "Unconditional Surrender" was achieved by Allied forces in Italy.
Members of Post 50 participating were Post Post Commander Robert McGuirl, Frank
Barbieri, and Kenneth Kraetzer from the SAL. The Department of New York was
represented by State Commander Paul Cortright, who had served in Italy at a US Army
base.
American speakers at the event were Ambassador Mel Sembler and Admiral Michael
Mullen, who shortly after was promoted to Chief of Naval Operations, the highest ranking
uniformed position in the US Navy. Speakers from the Italian government were the
Minister of Defense and president of the Italian Parliament. Members of Post 50 delighted
Admiral Mullen by presenting him with a framed picture of one of his commands, the USS
Yorktown. Members of the crew of the Yorktown had been hosted by Post 50 and the
Pelham community on Memorial Day in 2003.
Commander Cortright participated in the ceremony by presenting a wreath donated by
Post 50 members and carrying a "Post 50 Pelham" ribbon. The event became a
significant media event with many members of the press taking pictures of the event, upon
returning to the hotel in Rome, Paul Cortright saw himself on the news show presenting
the wreath.
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American Legion Post 50 SAL 50 New York USA
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