American Legion Post 50 SAL 50 New York USA
February 04, 2005
Pelham Post 50 Invites World War II Veterans Nationwide to 60th Anniversary
of Allied Triumph in Italy
National Commander of the American Legion Encourages trip.
The American Legion, led by Post 50 Pelham NY is working with several
government organizations to hold ceremonies in May to commemorate the
end of World War II in Italy. Memorial events will be held at the Sicily - Rome
American Cemetery in Nettuno on May 2nd and at the Florence American
Cemetery on May 5th. Representatives of the United States Military based in
Naples including the Sixth Fleet Band are scheduled to participate. Post 50
initiated these ceremonies when it as realized that no other group had
initiated a plan to remember the 19,000 Americans lost liberating Italy.
Pelham, NY (PRWEB) February 4, 2005 -- Pelham Post 50 of The American
Legion has invited veteran's groups from across the country to participate in
the memorial services it is planning in Italy in May 2005 as a commemoration
of the 60th Anniversary of the end of World War II and the liberation of the
country by American and Allied forces.
Post 50 began this project when members realized that no ceremony had
been planned to recognize the end of the war in Italy which cost 19,000
American lives. The commemoration project has been endorsed by Donald G.
Ford, County of Westchester Commander for the American Legion, and Paul
A. Cortright, New York State Commander. Post 50 and these leaders have
invited American Legion Posts across New York State to send
representatives. Invitations to state commanders across the country are also
planned.
A letter from Thomas P. Cadmus, National Commander of the American
Legion, indicated national support for the project: "I want to encourage you to
go forward with your plans, WWII veterans are a large part of why freedom
prevails not only in America but also in many other countries around the
world."
With slightly more than 100 days left before departing for Italy, Post 50 is
coordinating plans with the Department of Defense World War II 60th
Anniversary Commemoration Committee (http://www.60wwii.mil/), which is
hosting a series of events commemorating the end of World War II at battle
and cemetery sites around the world as well as large veterans gatherings
domestically. Post 50 has made reservations to conduct ceremonies with the
American Battle Monument Commission (http://abmc.gov/), which operates 24
overseas cemeteries and provides website listing the burial locations of
93,000 Americans lost in service to their country during WWII. Post 50 is
coordinating with US Embassy staff in Rome and is developing an agenda for
a ceremony at the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery and Memorial at Nettuno,
Italy on Monday 2nd, the 60th anniversary date of the liberation of Italy. On
Thursday May 5th a similar event will be held at the Florence American
Military Cemetery and Museum.
Post 50 has also invited participation by a wide variety of veterans groups
including associations representing those who served in Italy during WWII
such as Army divisions and regiments, U.S. Navy ships, and Army Air Force
bomber and fighter wings. Although the military unit associations are spread
across the country, members are often very close emotionally since in many
cases they knew each other during military service, trained at the same
bases, or served in the same areas. Groups such as the Anzio Beachhead
Veterans have made periodic returns to Italy to remember their lost comrades
and have been warmly received by the Italian government and people.
Several very appreciative comments have been received by Post 50 from
WWII veterans and have been added to the project website, www.
WWII60thItaly.com.
News of this project was forwarded to several British and Commonwealth
veterans groups – including the British Ministry of Defence, the Royal British
Legion and the Italy Star Association 1943 - 1945. (Italy Star Association is
composed of British military members who served in Italy during WWII) – which
expressed interest in participating. The British are planning events in London,
to be led by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, for Sunday, July 10th. The war in
Italy featured a close (and occasionally competitive) relationship between
American and other Allied forces when securing adjacent beachheads and
mountain valleys. The opportunity for a ceremony at a British or
Commonwealth cemetery in Italy is being investigated.
The ceremonies at the two American Military Cemeteries in Italy will be
planned according guidelines used for the Memorial Day tribute in Pelham.
Additional features will be the playing of the Italian National Anthem and
greetings provided by a representative of the Italian government.
Post 50 was very pleased to be informed by the WWII 60th Anniversary
Committee that military honor guards and the Sixth Fleet Band based in
Naples, Italy have been assigned to support both ceremonies in Nettuno and
Florence. Pelham's own community singing group, the Pelham Larks plan
have accepted an invitation to make the trip and contribute their talents to the
ceremonies. A concert opportunity for the Larks to perform their presentation
of American cultural music in Rome is being researched. Clergy are being
sought to participate in the ceremonies.
Travel opportunities to Italy can be obtained by calling Harriet Balter of Rich
Worldwide Travel at 1-888-882-7400. The 2002 Stephen Ambrose book, The
Wild Blue, details the 35 B-24 flights flown by George McGovern and the high
rate of casualties the Army Air Force crews suffered. The book pointed out
the contributions in Italy of the famous African-American fighter pilots known
as the Tuskegee Airmen, who flew P-51 fighters over Italy protecting the
bombers and ground forces. Sen. McGovern, the Democratic candidate for
President in 1972, spoke to members of the Pelham committee and was
appreciative of the effort being made to honor those who served in Italy
during WWII.
Pelhamites who were lost in the Italian campaign include fliers Richard Lewis
Elliott, Kendall King Fish, Paul A. McCarthy, Bertley H. Moberg, James H.
Scott, and Ellsworth Totten III. Herbert Retallack was lost when the destroyer
USS Rowan was torpedoed after leaving Salerno, and William Lisecki was lost
as an infantryman.
A response to a press release announcing Post 50's plans was received from
Col. David Hackworth, author and commentator heard on national TV and
radio broadcasts. In emphasizing the importance of the planned ceremonies
in Italy, Col. Hackworth cited the words of George Washington: "The
willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no
matter how justified, shall be directly Proportional to how they perceive the
Veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their Nation."
The American Legion with 2.7 million members, is the world's largest veteran's
association. Pelham Post 50, commanded in 2004-2005 by Michael Barrett,
organizes Pelham's Memorial Day parade and a variety of other veteran's and
community support projects.
Contact:
Kenneth G. Kraetzer
(914) 381-5353
Pelham Post 50 Invites World War II Veterans Nationwide to 60th Anniversary
of Allied Triumph in Italy
National Commander of the American Legion Encourages trip.
The American Legion, led by Post 50 Pelham NY is working with several
government organizations to hold ceremonies in May to commemorate the
end of World War II in Italy. Memorial events will be held at the Sicily - Rome
American Cemetery in Nettuno on May 2nd and at the Florence American
Cemetery on May 5th. Representatives of the United States Military based in
Naples including the Sixth Fleet Band are scheduled to participate. Post 50
initiated these ceremonies when it as realized that no other group had
initiated a plan to remember the 19,000 Americans lost liberating Italy.
Pelham, NY (PRWEB) February 4, 2005 -- Pelham Post 50 of The American
Legion has invited veteran's groups from across the country to participate in
the memorial services it is planning in Italy in May 2005 as a commemoration
of the 60th Anniversary of the end of World War II and the liberation of the
country by American and Allied forces.
Post 50 began this project when members realized that no ceremony had
been planned to recognize the end of the war in Italy which cost 19,000
American lives. The commemoration project has been endorsed by Donald G.
Ford, County of Westchester Commander for the American Legion, and Paul
A. Cortright, New York State Commander. Post 50 and these leaders have
invited American Legion Posts across New York State to send
representatives. Invitations to state commanders across the country are also
planned.
A letter from Thomas P. Cadmus, National Commander of the American
Legion, indicated national support for the project: "I want to encourage you to
go forward with your plans, WWII veterans are a large part of why freedom
prevails not only in America but also in many other countries around the
world."
With slightly more than 100 days left before departing for Italy, Post 50 is
coordinating plans with the Department of Defense World War II 60th
Anniversary Commemoration Committee (http://www.60wwii.mil/), which is
hosting a series of events commemorating the end of World War II at battle
and cemetery sites around the world as well as large veterans gatherings
domestically. Post 50 has made reservations to conduct ceremonies with the
American Battle Monument Commission (http://abmc.gov/), which operates 24
overseas cemeteries and provides website listing the burial locations of
93,000 Americans lost in service to their country during WWII. Post 50 is
coordinating with US Embassy staff in Rome and is developing an agenda for
a ceremony at the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery and Memorial at Nettuno,
Italy on Monday 2nd, the 60th anniversary date of the liberation of Italy. On
Thursday May 5th a similar event will be held at the Florence American
Military Cemetery and Museum.
Post 50 has also invited participation by a wide variety of veterans groups
including associations representing those who served in Italy during WWII
such as Army divisions and regiments, U.S. Navy ships, and Army Air Force
bomber and fighter wings. Although the military unit associations are spread
across the country, members are often very close emotionally since in many
cases they knew each other during military service, trained at the same
bases, or served in the same areas. Groups such as the Anzio Beachhead
Veterans have made periodic returns to Italy to remember their lost comrades
and have been warmly received by the Italian government and people.
Several very appreciative comments have been received by Post 50 from
WWII veterans and have been added to the project website, www.
WWII60thItaly.com.
News of this project was forwarded to several British and Commonwealth
veterans groups – including the British Ministry of Defence, the Royal British
Legion and the Italy Star Association 1943 - 1945. (Italy Star Association is
composed of British military members who served in Italy during WWII) – which
expressed interest in participating. The British are planning events in London,
to be led by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, for Sunday, July 10th. The war in
Italy featured a close (and occasionally competitive) relationship between
American and other Allied forces when securing adjacent beachheads and
mountain valleys. The opportunity for a ceremony at a British or
Commonwealth cemetery in Italy is being investigated.
The ceremonies at the two American Military Cemeteries in Italy will be
planned according guidelines used for the Memorial Day tribute in Pelham.
Additional features will be the playing of the Italian National Anthem and
greetings provided by a representative of the Italian government.
Post 50 was very pleased to be informed by the WWII 60th Anniversary
Committee that military honor guards and the Sixth Fleet Band based in
Naples, Italy have been assigned to support both ceremonies in Nettuno and
Florence. Pelham's own community singing group, the Pelham Larks plan
have accepted an invitation to make the trip and contribute their talents to the
ceremonies. A concert opportunity for the Larks to perform their presentation
of American cultural music in Rome is being researched. Clergy are being
sought to participate in the ceremonies.
Travel opportunities to Italy can be obtained by calling Harriet Balter of Rich
Worldwide Travel at 1-888-882-7400. The 2002 Stephen Ambrose book, The
Wild Blue, details the 35 B-24 flights flown by George McGovern and the high
rate of casualties the Army Air Force crews suffered. The book pointed out
the contributions in Italy of the famous African-American fighter pilots known
as the Tuskegee Airmen, who flew P-51 fighters over Italy protecting the
bombers and ground forces. Sen. McGovern, the Democratic candidate for
President in 1972, spoke to members of the Pelham committee and was
appreciative of the effort being made to honor those who served in Italy
during WWII.
Pelhamites who were lost in the Italian campaign include fliers Richard Lewis
Elliott, Kendall King Fish, Paul A. McCarthy, Bertley H. Moberg, James H.
Scott, and Ellsworth Totten III. Herbert Retallack was lost when the destroyer
USS Rowan was torpedoed after leaving Salerno, and William Lisecki was lost
as an infantryman.
A response to a press release announcing Post 50's plans was received from
Col. David Hackworth, author and commentator heard on national TV and
radio broadcasts. In emphasizing the importance of the planned ceremonies
in Italy, Col. Hackworth cited the words of George Washington: "The
willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no
matter how justified, shall be directly Proportional to how they perceive the
Veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their Nation."
The American Legion with 2.7 million members, is the world's largest veteran's
association. Pelham Post 50, commanded in 2004-2005 by Michael Barrett,
organizes Pelham's Memorial Day parade and a variety of other veteran's and
community support projects.
Contact:
Kenneth G. Kraetzer
(914) 381-5353