FLORENCE, Italy – Servicemembers from Camp Darby took part in a living tribute event on Oct. 2 at the Florence American Cemetery to commemorate 80 years since the Northern Italian Campaign in World War II.
Hosted by an organization called "Be the Difference - Never Again," the event has participants standing beside a fallen Soldier’s grave to honor their sacrifice and legacy. It created a visual connection between past and present and nurtured a poignant moment of reflection.
Lt. Col. Ross Hertlein of Army Field Support Battalion-Africa, whose son recently joined the military, had strong feelings about the experience.
“He’s the same age now as these young men were when they fought and died here in Europe,” he said. “The impact of that, it just hits you in a new way as a father.”
Local university students read personal stories of Soldiers who lost their lives liberating this region and who are now interred in the cemetery, maintained by the American Battle Monuments Commission.
Daniela Ballard, U.S. Consul General in Florence, spoke at the event, as did Eryth Zecher, Florence American Cemetery Superintendent, and Elizabeth Bettina, Be the Difference Co-founder.
“WWII was one of those challenging yet transformative periods that intertwined history between the United States and Italy,” Ballard said. “It helped commence the strong bilateral relationship we continue to enjoy today, a relationship rooted in shared values like democracy, freedom and respect for human rights.”
Maj. Carlos Calderon, a legal officer at Camp Darby, said the event was a continuation of America and Italy’s longstanding bond.
“I felt that it was definitely not just necessary, but quite an honor and a privilege to be here to honor the soldiers that gave it all for that campaign,” Calderon said.
Growing up in Iowa, Susann Siebke always heard stories about her mother’s cousin, Frank Hawbaker.
“We’d always talk about him,” Siebke said. “We’d go to family reunions and talk to his wife. They married the day before he left to fight in Europe … She never married again.”
Siebke knew Hawbaker perished in Europe, but only after her daughter went to Florence for college did she learn he was killed in Italy. She found his grave, just over the hills south of Florence. Eight decades after his death, Siebke stood at his final resting place.
“I feel closer to him,” she said.
Siebke attended with Carla Polastro, whose parents married in Italy in May of 1941. Six months later, on Christmas Eve, her father was captured fighting British troops in North Africa.
“He was on the wrong side of history, but he didn’t know that,” Polastro said. “Being captured was the best thing that could have happened. Certainly, it saved his life.”
Five years later, he returned to his wife in Italy.
“My parents were complete strangers at that point,” Polastro said. “But they were just as much in love as when my father left for the war. So, here I am.”
Although their family histories differ, honoring those who helped liberate Italy is very important to both women.
“Always remember,” Siebke said. “Never forget.”
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