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 have a building across the street on Mission Road, San Antonio, Texas. It is the first city Electrical generating plant for San Antonio. Finished in 1901, it was started in 1894. It is amazing how well built the structure is. All the brick and materials were brought in and delivered from the railroad crossing just up the street. The same RR crossing/railhead that Teddy Rosevelt got his Rough Riders delivered horses, mules and all over several weeks.

The building has no graffiti on its surface, odd things is, the wind blows up and down this location of Mission Road, I find all manner of 'trash' in my front parking lot from this constant wind. The surface of the building has been smoothed by the fine sand and dirt that is blown across the facade.

A couple of months ago I mentioned I was planning on cutting the cable and asked for some advice from those of you who have done so. This month I pulled the plug. My 1 TB service went from 266.00 a month to 91.00 (most likely about 100.00 with taxes etc.). I added Disney + which also gave me Hulu and ESPN+ for 14.00 a month, likewise for Netflix at 15.00 a month and Peacock at 5.00 a month. So all in all, I will be saving about 120.00 a month. The one thing I hated loosing with cable was the golf channel but ESPN+ has a nice substitute. I can dial in to watch a select group or at times they offer a view of some of the most interesting or challenging holes. The transition cost about 500.00: Antenna (for local broadcast) 60, modem 170, mesh system 200, Roku 70. In less than half a year I'll have made that money back and then the system really will be paying dividends. Thanks to all you Hoggers for your info and for the encouragement to get on with it. I had been considering it and looking into doing it for over a year.

Went to Wal-Mart today. As usual there was a long line at the checkout register. I noticed that the guy behind me was wearing a USMC ball cap. I asked him about the places he served, length of service, etc. I was taken aback by some of his answers. Said he served in the special forces in Nam, Cambodia, Okinawa, North Korea (huh), Japan(huh), Somalia (huh) and a bucket list of other places. I noticed that he looked to be about 50. ??. I asked him what all citations he received. When he mentioned the two purple hearts and a trident I knew this was a bad case of stolen valor. Seems to me there ought to be a law against it.