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TROINA, Sicily - The American and Italian flags are carried
side-by-side down the narrow streets of a Sicilian town; a symbol of
the shared history of battle, loss and sacrifice.
Marines
and sailors with the Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force
Crisis Response-Africa Detachment A joined more than 20 U.S. service
members in a parade and wreath-laying ceremony in remembrance of the
Battle of Troina during World War II in Troina, Sicily, Italy, Aug.
2, 2015.
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The word "remembrance" is written on a cross within the wreath laid during a ceremony in honor of the loss and sacrifice of the Battle of Troina in World War Two in Troina, Sicily, Italy, August 2, 2015. Marines and sailors with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa, Detachment A, participated in the town's ceremonial events remembering the shared history and sacrifice of the two countries who faced a harsh Nazi resistance during the battle. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Olivia McDonald)
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This was the first time since 1959 American military personnel and the people
of Troina came together, marching in unison, up the winding roads of the
mountainous town, with beads of sweat pouring down their faces on the hot,
summer day with their Italian counterparts in remembering the cost of that
bloody battle 72 years ago.
In 1943, when the Italians had a referendum
to choose between the republic or the monarchy, the town of Troina was one of
the few Sicilian towns to vote for a republic. The battle of Troina took place
toward the end of July and into August of that year as the Americans fought to
liberate its citizens from the Axis enemy through hills and streets of the
Sicilian town. Both sides suffered many casualties during the week-long
fighting, including 116 civilian casualties before the town was liberated from
the Germans.
“The liberation by the Americans was welcomed by the local
population, who were for the values of freedom,” said Fabio Venezia, mayor of
Tronia. “The values that the Americans came here to liberate the town from the
Nazi fascism were deeply felt and upheld by the local people.”
These are
the values that are still cherished by generations of the people of Troina.
“This ceremony is important because remembering the past allows us to learn
a lesson for the future,” Venezia said. “The values won during that battle need
to be upheld today and handed out to the future and new generation to continue
to support freedom and democracy.”
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Residents of Troina, Sicily, Italy, overlook the Marines and sailors with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa, Detachment A, as they parade through the streets alongside Italian veterans during the Battle of Troina remembrance ceremony August 2, 2015. Representatives of the Sicilian community, civil and military, participated side-by-side with their American counterparts honored the sacrifices made during the battle in 1943. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Olivia McDonald)
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After the parade, the service members observed a mass in
the town's 16th-century Cathedral of Maria SS Annunziata and
participated in a wreath-laying ceremony in honor of the
lives lost during the battle.
“It was a time to
commemorate, to remember, to honor all who died and to
reconnect with Sicilians and our own heritage as Americans
and our role in WWII,” said Navy Lt. Derrick Horne, the
SPMAGTF-CR-AF Det. A chaplain and native of Tulsa, Oklahoma.
“It was a memorable experience to connect with our past
and remember those who sacrificed,” added Horne. “To see the
Italian representatives, many who were teenagers during that
time, to be there in their presence and to hear their
stories, it was very moving.”
The people of Troina
shared their history and hospitality with the Marines.
“They came with open arms,” said Lance Cpl. Heather
Ruano, a landing support specialist with SPMAGTF-CR-AF and
native of Houston, Texas. “As an American, to see how well
the people accepted us, it was really breathtaking. The way
they looked at us, you could see the amount of respect they
had for us.”
Given this was the first time in 56
years all four branches participated in this ceremony,
Venezia wants to start an annual tradition, for years to
come, to have all four U.S. military branches alongside its
town's people.
“It is very important to have the U.S.
military delegation here because together we are one
community. We are one united group of people who are
remembering together the civilian casualties and service
members,” Venezia said. “We want to be united together in
this spirit which will allow us to reflect and uphold the
values of freedom and democracy.”
The Marines and
sailors ended their night with a tour of the town many
Americans had fought and died to liberate many years before.
Remembering America's heritage with this WWII commemoration
gave the service members a memorable glimpse into their past
and an opportunity to appreciate the shared values between
partner nations.
By U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Olivia McDonald
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2015
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