Mr. David Leinberger, Deputy Garrison Manager, Spc. Nathaniel Dunn, 529th MP Company, the youngest Soldier on the Installation, and Lt. Col. Renato Vaira, Italian Base Commander, observe one minute of silence following the deposition of the wreath to...
Army Europe Command Sgt. Major Sheryl Lyon and Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges, commanding general, U.S. Army Europe, U.S. Ambassador to the Italian Republic and the Republic of San Marino, Honorable John R. Phillips, and Honorable Domenico Rossi, Deputy Itali...
the color guard from the 173rd Infantry Brigade posts the Colors during the Memorial Day Ceremony at Florence American Cemetery and Memorial, Florence, Italy, May 30, 2016. Standing in formation behind the color guard ( left to right) Joint Italian ...
FLORENCE/CAMP DARBY -- A large crowd filled the Florence National Cemetery May 30 to commemorate Memorial Day and honor the men and women who died for America's freedom.
United States Ambassador to the Italian Republic and San Marino Republic, Honorable John Phillips, Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges, commander of U.S. Army Europe, Deputy Minister of Defense Honorable Domenico Rossi, and Consul General of the United States of America in Florence, Abigail Rupp, participated in the ceremony at Florence American Cemetery and Memorial.
The laying of memorial wreaths and honors rendered by the Italian firing detail, the playing of "Taps" and the observed moment of silence contributed to the deep solemn atmosphere.
A large contingent from the US Army Garrison Italy attended the ceremony including Col. Steve Marks, commander, U.S. Army Garrison Italy, David Leinberger, Darby Military Community deputy garrison manager; and Lt. Col. Renato Vaira, Camp Darby Italian base commander.
Later that day, Darby held its first ever Memorial Day ceremony to commemorate all U.S. Soldiers who lost their lives. Local military and civilian authorities from Pisa and Livorno joined the ceremony. Following the national anthems, Vaira talked about the courage of those Soldiers.
"The Soldiers we are about to honor today come from many different realities, but shared the identical characteristic-- they were proud, brave, selfless," Vaira said. "All these qualities are necessary to serve a cause greater than oneself."
Vaira said those Soldiers were the best that Italy could ask for to defend its freedom and quality of life.
Memorial Day, defined as Decoration Day until the end of the World War II, is always commemorated the last Monday in May.
Leinberger shared some words after reading President Obama's proclamation, just before the ceremonial wreath-laying.
"We are here to honor those Soldiers, Airmen, Marines, Sailors and Coast Guard [members] that-- from the very beginning of the story of our nation-- sacrificed their lives for our freedom," he said. "I want to remember those parents who will never play with their children, children who will not grow with their parents, the couples who will never see their spouses again, fellow Soldiers who will not enjoy the company of their friends."
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