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Florence American Cemetery
By spokesman | May 26, 2008
Photo Of The Main Path Leading To The Memorial
Photo Of Headstones At The Florence American Cemetery
Photo Of A Mural In The Memorial Showing Troop Movements
Photo Of The Wall With Names of the Missing
One of the reasons that I enjoy bicycle touring is that you get to see places in much more detail as compared to other ways of traveling. Rather than being insulated in a car, bus or train where you miss many interesting and historical sights, you have the opportunity to see things in detail. Additionally, as a cyclist traveling on secondary roads, I have the opportunity to stumble upon sights that I would otherwise miss.
Last month while touring in Italy, I came across the Florence American Cemetery. Since this is Memorial day in the United States, I thought I would take the opportunity to post about the Cemetery in tribute to the 4402 war dead that rest there. Visiting the Cemetery was a moving experience and I had two observations as I left.
First, I live in the Washington D.C. area, nearby many of the most visited war memorials including the Vietnam Memorial, the World War II Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery. Each of these are maintained in excellent condition. It was nice to see that the Florence American Cemetery, which is far from public view, is maintained in such beautiful condition. It is truly a tribute to those that served and made the ultimate sacrifice.
Secondly, the number of veterans in the Florence American Cemetery is 4402. As of 5/26/2008, the total number of American fatalities from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan is 4563. (see http://projects.washingtonpost.com/fallen/ for the latest numbers). These totals are remarkably close. Surveying the 70 acres and thousands of headstones at the Florence American Cemetery gave me a new perspective of the true cost of the current war.
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Topics: Italy |
December 21st, 2008 at 7:39 pm
thank you for visiting my father. he is buried there. my mom and grandmother thought it best that he allowed to lay near the ground he fought so hard and so long for. He was killed in Anzio on April 25,1945 just days before the end of the war.
thank you for your posting.