Visiting American Cemeteries in Italy
Thursday June 5, 2008
During the two world wars, thousands of Americans died and were buried in Europe. Italy has two large American cemeteries that can be visited. The Sicily-Rome Cemetery at Nettuno is south of Rome (see southern Lazio map). Nettuno is on the train line. The Florence American Cemetery, just south of Florence, can easily be reached by bus from Florence.
Lisa Finerty, on SecretGardensItaly blog, has an article with photos about visiting the Sicily-Rome Cemetery and gardens on Memorial Day. She says the gardens are amazing and worth a visit. Italian Notebook also has an article about American Cemeteries and WWII battlefields in Italy.
D-Day is tomorrow and another day many Americans remember those who died in WWII. D-Day battlegrounds are popular travel destinations in France. About.com's Cruises site has information about a Normandy Beaches Tour and France Travel has a D-Day Invasion Photo Gallery and Top Movies about D-Day.
Comments
My great-uncle is buried in the Florence American Cemetery and I’ve visited his grave twice. It’s a lovely, tranquil spot, and the staff is very helpful.
The Naples American Boy Scouts decorate the American cemetery in Nettuno every Memorial Day weekend; they clean gravestones and set up American and Italian flags on each one.
Thanks for reminding us that freedom is never, ever free.
I just came upon this site. My Uncle is buried there. My Dad and his family never knew what happened to the youngest brother
but one night I put the information we did have into the computer and found that he was buried in this American Cemetery in Florence.
I was happy to tell my Dad and his sister before they died where the brother they missed the rest of their lives was resting.
My cousin has gone and visited his grave so at least one family member has paid their respects. His other 4 siblings and parents past before they knew this news.
I was not born for several years after WWII but knew the lost his family felt over the years. I hope to one day visit and pay my respects. May they all rest in Peace. We thank each and every military family for the service to our country. They are not forgotten.