Update 01-29-05
I received an email from Ken this morning followed by the latest news release on the commemoration. Please note one of our esteemed vets on our site got a big mention. Go Bennett Palmer!!!
Also they now have their web up and running and VI Corps has a place of honor on their site. I just saw it this morning and was quite surprised and very pleased. It's a great way to honor all the vets found on our pages and it will give you the well-deserved exposure. You can find our entry on the Associations Page!
The Email:
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A quick update to many friends and new ones who have responded back with interest in our plans to conduct WWII memorial ceremonies in Italy in May.
Our primary goal has been achieved in that the DoD WWII 60th Anniversary Committee has scheduled ceremonies for May 2nd at the Sicily – Rome American Cemetery in Nettuno for May 2nd. On the Thursday of that week, the 5th of May, we will be at the Florence American Cemetery. Approximately 10,000 American servicemen and women are buried or memorialized at these two sacred sites. Further good news is that the Committee has indicated that the Sixth Fleet Band and an associated military color guard based in Naples, Italy are planned to be on hand.
I am very proud and pleased that the community singing group from Post 50’s hometown, the Pelham Larks, are planning to make the trip and perform at the ceremonies. We are now seeking clergy representing a variety of faiths who might make the trip to provide blessings, recommendations are be appreciated.
As we have been contacting various veterans groups around the country to invite them to join us, it has been great to receive many nice responses. We just received a comprehensive newsletter from Bob Karstesen, of the 451st Bomb Group assoc. who lives in Marengo, IL. We have also heard from John Heiser who runs the “Polar Bear Assoc. of WWII†from Gettysburg PA. Ben Palmer who lives in upstate NY sent me a copy of his wonderful book documenting his years in WWII with the 36th Division which invaded not only Italy but also southern France.
W have also heard from representatives of several veterans and groups overseas with represented Italy, Great Britain, and New Zealand. We have requested suggestions on an appropriate way to pay respect to British and Commonwealth soldiers lost in Italy as American allies while we are there. I have receive two gracious letters from Mr. Alfonso Felici who served with distinction with the Third Infantry Division and after working many years for Alitalia in the US retired back to Italy and has offered to show us around during our visit.
This weekend I will be speaking at the NY State American Legion Winter Conference about the trip and look for more volunteers for our color guard duties. I am proposing for the program in Italy that we read several short stories about veterans who served or were lost. If you have a story I would really appreciate your sharing it with us.
We have a new website up for the project: WWII60thITALY.com On this website we have placed several of the stories which have already been sent to us. As we are getting under 90 days to leaving for Italy, please let me know if any one is interested in making the trip and needs travel arrangements from our two fine providers listed in the release which is attached.
Attached is our most recent press release. I believe the May 2nd ceremony scheduled on the anniversary date of the liberation of Italy will be a significant occasion as attention builds to VE Day ceremonies on Sunday May 8th. Thank you all for your support of our project.
Ken
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This is the latest update on the Commemoration:
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NEWS: Pelham Post 50, THE AMERICAN LEGION, Box 293, Pelham New York 10803 USA
For Immediate Release: Contact: Kenneth G. Kraetzer
(914) 381-5353 or kgk914@aol.com)
Pelham Post 50 Invites World War II Veterans Nationwide
To 60th Anniversary of Allied Triumph in Italy
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Sixth Fleet Band, Sen. McGovern Expected to Participate
Pelham, N.Y., January 20, 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 or Andy Ambrose of the Stephen Ambrose Historical Tours at 1-888-903-3329. 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, is expected to make the trip and speak at the ceremonies.
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.
Proud Daughter of Walter (Monday) Poniedzialek
540th Engineer Combat Regiment, 2833rd Bn, H&S Co, 4th Platoon
There's "No Bridge Too Far"