I took these in 2016 during a trip to Italy. My wife wasn't thrilled with my suggestion that we visit the American Battle Monuments Commission Sicily-Rome American Cemetery and Memorial in Nettuno. However, it turned out to be an amazing experience.

I was just beginning my return to photography so these aren't the greatest shots ever. They were taken with my Sony a6000 and the kit lens. So, while the photos aren't great, the subjects are.

The first photo has a story. While we were waiting to talk to the young Italian girl who was at the desk of the Visitor's Center, there was a group of Germans ahead of us asking questions. We didn't think much of it at the time but we saw them again leaving this particular cross. It's for PVT Adolph Dietrick, Jr. from Michigan who died on February 23, 1944, somewhere in Italy. Those Germans visited the cemetery to put a flower on the grave of a relative (or the descendent of a relative) who had emigrated to the US. We stared for a long time at the scene and then I took the shot. I looked around but the Germans were gone and we never saw them again.

The second photo is the marker for Medal of Honor winner Sylvester Antolak of Ohio. If you want to learn what he did to win his medal, there is a show on Netflix entitled "Medal of Honor." SGT Antolak is one of the Medal of Honor winners profiled in the show.

I am not ashamed to say it but every time I look at these photos, a tear comes to my eye. I thank God that this country had men such as these who made the ultimate sacrifice for their comrades, their fellow citizens, the world, and their descendants.

Phil

I took these in 2016 during a trip to Italy. My wife wasn't thrilled with my suggestion that we visit the American Battle Monuments Commission Sicily-Rome American Cemetery and Memorial in Nettuno. However, it turned out to be an amazing experience.

I was just beginning my return to photography so these aren't the greatest shots ever. They were taken with my Sony a6000 and the kit lens. So, while the photos aren't great, the subjects are.

The first photo has a story. While we were waiting to talk to the young Italian girl who was at the desk of the Visitor's Center, there was a group of Germans ahead of us asking questions. We didn't think much of it at the time but we saw them again leaving this particular cross. It's for PVT Adolph Dietrick, Jr. from Michigan who died on February 23, 1944, somewhere in Italy. Those Germans visited the cemetery to put a flower on the grave of a relative (or the descendent of a relative) who had emigrated to the US. We stared for a long time at the scene and then I took the shot. I looked around but the Germans were gone and we never saw them again.

The second photo is the marker for Medal of Honor winner Sylvester Antolak of Ohio. If you want to learn what he did to win his medal, there is a show on Netflix entitled "Medal of Honor." SGT Antolak is one of the Medal of Honor winners profiled in the show.

I am not ashamed to say it but every time I look at these photos, a tear comes to my eye. I thank God that this country had men such as these who made the ultimate sacrifice for their comrades, their fellow citizens, the world, and their descendants.

Phil