Col. Stephen Skells, commander of the 207th Military Intelligence Brigade-Theater, and Lt. Col. Richard Smith, commander of the 522nd Military Intelligence Battalion, join the Mayor of Arcugnano, Paolo Pellizari, in rendering a salute during the Italian Liberation Day ceremony.
The 207th MIB-T participated in both Arcugnano and Longare’s liberation day ceremonies in support of U.S. Army Garrison Italy’s community outreach initiatives under the Community Alliance Program. The brigade is partnered with Arcugnano and Longare. (U.S. Army photo by 1st. Lt. Katherine Sibilla)
(Photo Credit: 1st Lt. Katherine Sibilla)VIEW ORIGINAL
VICENZA, Italy — In Parco della Liberta, translated as Liberty Park, a new laurel wreath lies beneath the monument dedicated to Italian World War II resistance fighters, marking the 79th anniversary of Italy's liberation.
In the park, Lt. Col. John Wildt, commander of the 307th Military Intelligence Battalion, joined the city of Longare’s veterans and community members to honor the efforts and sacrifices made by the Italian resistance movement.
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Lt. Col. John Wildt, commander of the 307th Military Intelligence Battalion, delivers a speech during Longare's 79th anniversary of Italy's liberation ceremony.The 207th MIB-T participated in both Arcugnano and Longare’s liberation day ceremonies in support of U.S. Army Garrison Italy’s community outreach initiatives under the Community Alliance Program. The brigade is partnered with Arcugnano and Longare. (U.S. Army photo by Daedrick Lashley)
(Photo Credit: Spc. Daedrick Lashley)VIEW ORIGINAL2 / 5Show Caption +Hide Caption –
The community of Longare held its Liberation Day ceremony in Parco della Liberta, translated as Liberty Park. The 207th MIB-T participated in both Arcugnano and Longare’s liberation day ceremonies in support of U.S. Army Garrison Italy’s community outreach initiatives under the Community Alliance Program. The brigade is partnered with Arcugnano and Longare. (U.S. Army photo by Daedrick Lashley)
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Lt. Col. John Wildt renders a salute to the Longare monument dedicated to Italian World War II resistance fighters during the Italian Liberation Day ceremony. The 207th MIB-T participated in both Arcugnano and Longare’s liberation day ceremonies in support of U.S. Army Garrison Italy’s community outreach initiatives under the Community Alliance Program. The brigade is partnered with Arcugnano and Longare. (U.S. Army photo by Daedrick Lashley)
(Photo Credit: 1st Lt. Katherine Sibilla)VIEW ORIGINAL4 / 5Show Caption +Hide Caption –
Lt. Col. John Wildt and other Italian dignitaries prepare to walk to the monument dedicated to Italian World War II resistance fighters and lay the laurel wreath. The 207th MIB-T participated in both Arcugnano and Longare’s liberation day ceremonies in support of U.S. Army Garrison Italy’s community outreach initiatives under the Community Alliance Program. The brigade is partnered with Arcugnano and Longare. (U.S. Army photo by Daedrick Lashley)
(Photo Credit: 1st Lt. Katherine Sibilla)VIEW ORIGINAL5 / 5Show Caption +Hide Caption –
An Alpini veteran poses for a photo following Longare's Italian Liberation Day ceremony.The 207th MIB-T participated in both Arcugnano and Longare’s liberation day ceremonies in support of U.S. Army Garrison Italy’s community outreach initiatives under the Community Alliance Program. The brigade is partnered with Arcugnano and Longare. (U.S. Army photo by Daedrick Lashley)
(Photo Credit: Spc. Daedrick Lashley)VIEW ORIGINAL
“I am especially proud to stand here today with people of the Veneto and honor those who helped liberate this nation,” said Wildt to the community members of Longare.
“The acts of courage displayed by individual Italians in World War II are legendary.”
Several towns in the Vicenza municipality held ceremonies to pay homage to those who bravely fought against totalitarianism in hopes of bringing freedom and democracy.
A few miles away from Longare, Col. Stephen Skells, commander of the 207th Military Intelligence Brigade-Theater, and Lt. Col. Richard Smith, commander of the 522nd Military Intelligence Battalion, also participated in a similar ceremony in the town of Arcugnano.
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Col. Stephen Skells, commander of the 207th Military Intelligence Brigade-Theater, and Lt. Col. Richard Smith, commander of the 522nd Military Intelligence Battalion, join the Mayor of Arcugnano, Paolo Pellizari, in rendering a salute during the Italian Liberation Day ceremony.
The 207th MIB-T participated in both Arcugnano and Longare’s liberation day ceremonies in support of U.S. Army Garrison Italy’s community outreach initiatives under the Community Alliance Program. The brigade is partnered with Arcugnano and Longare. (U.S. Army photo by 1st. Lt. Katherine Sibilla)
(Photo Credit: 1st Lt. Katherine Sibilla)VIEW ORIGINAL2 / 4Show Caption +Hide Caption –
Lt. Col. Richard Smith, commander of the 522nd Military Intelligence Battalion, greets Italian paratrooper veterans following the Italian Liberation Day ceremony in Arcugnano. The 207th MIB-T participated in both Arcugnano and Longare’s liberation day ceremonies in support of U.S. Army Garrison Italy’s community outreach initiatives under the Community Alliance Program. The brigade is partnered with Arcugnano and Longare. (U.S. Army photo by 1st. Lt. Katherine Sibilla)
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Col. Stephen Skells and Michelle Skells greet Paolo Pellizzari, mayor of Arcugnano, prior to the commencement of the Italian Liberation Day event in Arcugnano, Italy. The 207th MIB-T participated in both Arcugnano and Longare’s liberation day ceremonies in support of U.S. Army Garrison Italy’s community outreach initiatives under the Community Alliance Program. The brigade is partnered with Arcugnano and Longare. (U.S. Army photo by 1st. Lt. Katherine Sibilla)
(Photo Credit: 1st Lt. Katherine Sibilla)VIEW ORIGINAL4 / 4Show Caption +Hide Caption –
Alpini veterans lay a new laurel wreath beneath the monument dedicated to Italian World War II resistance fighters, marking the 79th anniversary of Italy's liberation. The 207th MIB-T participated in both Arcugnano and Longare’s liberation day ceremonies in support of U.S. Army Garrison Italy’s community outreach initiatives under the Community Alliance Program. The brigade is partnered with Arcugnano and Longare. (U.S. Army photo by 1st. Lt. Katherine Sibilla)
(Photo Credit: 1st Lt. Katherine Sibilla)VIEW ORIGINAL
Skells’ and Smiths' presence affected one Veteran in particular.
Bruno Riello, a 79-year-old Alpini veteran and bugle player for the event, said the sight of American Soldiers brought him joy.
“We wouldn't be free without the support of the Americans,” Riello continued. “I am very happy that they are here with us.”
Col. Stephen Skells, commander of the 207th Military Intelligence Brigade-Theater, greets Bruno Riello, a 79-year-old Alpini veteran and bugle player, for the Italian Liberation Day event in Arcugnano, Italy. The 207th MIB-T participated in both Arcugnano and Longare’s liberation day ceremonies in support of U.S. Army Garrison Italy’s community outreach initiatives under the Community Alliance Program. The brigade is partnered with Arcugnano and Longare. (U.S. Army photo by 1st. Lt. Katherine Sibilla)
(Photo Credit: 1st Lt. Katherine Sibilla)VIEW ORIGINAL
The 207th MIB-T participated in both Arcugnano and Longare’s Liberation Day ceremonies in support of U.S. Army Garrison Italy’s community outreach initiatives under the Community Alliance Program. The brigade is partnered with Arcugnano and Longare.
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Lt. Col. John Wildt poses with the mayor of Longare, Matteo Zennaro, and other Italian dignitaries following Longare's Italian Liberation Day ceremony. The 207th MIB-T participated in both Arcugnano and Longare’s liberation day ceremonies in support of U.S. Army Garrison Italy’s community outreach initiatives under the Community Alliance Program. The brigade is partnered with Arcugnano and Longare. (U.S. Army photo by Daedrick Lashley)
(Photo Credit: Spc. Daedrick Lashley)VIEW ORIGINAL2 / 3Show Caption +Hide Caption –
Lt. Col. Richard Smith, left, Paolo Pellizzari, center, Col. Stephen Skells, right, pose for a photo following the Italian Liberation Day event in Arcugnano, Italy. The 207th MIB-T participated in both Arcugnano and Longare’s liberation day ceremonies in support of U.S. Army Garrison Italy’s community outreach initiatives under the Community Alliance Program. The brigade is partnered with Arcugnano and Longare. (U.S. Army photo by 1st. Lt. Katherine Sibilla)
(Photo Credit: 1st Lt. Katherine Sibilla)VIEW ORIGINAL3 / 3Show Caption +Hide Caption –
Lt. Col. Richard Smith, Col. Stephen Skells, and Michelle Skells pose for a photo with an Italian police official prior to the commencement of the Italian Liberation Day event in Arcugnano, Italy. The 207th MIB-T participated in both Arcugnano and Longare’s liberation day ceremonies in support of U.S. Army Garrison Italy’s community outreach initiatives under the Community Alliance Program. The brigade is partnered with Arcugnano and Longare. (U.S. Army photo by 1st. Lt. Katherine Sibilla)
(Photo Credit: 1st Lt. Katherine Sibilla)VIEW ORIGINAL
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