I must share
with you an experience that I shall never forget on May 23, 2002 my son, Jim,
and I flew from Arcata, CA. to San Francisco and boarded a British airline
Boeing 747 non-stop to London England, from London to our destination in Milan,
Italy, overnight at the Holiday INN for a rest stop. We traveled the following morning by train to Bologna where our
loyal Italian friends, Giuseppe Mazzanti, Claudio Coliva, and Fernando Bettini,
met us. These men, and Fernando Gemignani
of Florence have for many years represented the 91st Division at
Loiano and the 5th Army monument.
I marvel at the patriotic dedication these men and the people of Italy
display in appreciation for America’s part in liberating their country during
WWII. On every occasion throughout this
tour we were met with enthusiasm, treated like royalty and showered with
attention. When Phil Scaglia, president
of the 361st 91st infantry association, learned of our
proposed trip, he asked if I would represent him and the association at the
dedication ceremony of the new 361 monument to be held at the Liverganao
site. Phil is recovering from heart
surgery and was unable to travel.
June
2, the day for the dedication of the new 361 monument just outside of Livergnano. A day that I shall always
remember. We gathered at ten am. By my estimate, one thousand loyal and
patriotic Italian citizens and dignitaries from each province, each region,
each commune, to honor the American soldiers that liberated Livergnano on that
date in 1944. As you remember, 361 took
the town after a hard fought battle.
The grandstand held the many important officials that were to
speak. Surrounding the site of the
monument were soldiers of the Italian honor guard, their band, restored U.S.
Army vehicles, and Italian soldiers in GI uniforms of the period with patches
of U.S. troops. Colorful banners with
the insignia representing each commune within each region were displayed. I was introduced by prof. Vittorio Prodi,
president Della Provincia Di Bologna.
In a short address I brought warm greetings from Phil Scaglia, president
of the 361st infantry association, 91st division, and
offered the sincere thanks from the 91st division for the honor
being paid to the men of the division who paid with their lives in liberating
the town of Livergnano. Refreshments
were served at a nearby villa following the ceremony. Throughout our stay we enjoyed many traditional Italian dinners,
and meeting many new friends
Following the Memorial Day ceremony Dr. Giancarlo Tonerini andhis wife Paola at their home hosted a ten-course dinner for
about 30 people, another unforgettable pleasure with the opportunity to
meet and become friends with so many wonderful people. On another
occasion at Claudio’s home we dinned with Claudio and Silvia who had
prepared the wonderful meal. Met Mara Giusepp’s nice wife with Giuseppe
hosting a great dinner at Benvinutis Fernando, Giuseppe, Claudio, Jim and
I all had pizza and beer together one afternoon, what fun! We spent an
afternoon visiting with Fernando in his home and enjoying his hospitality
Fernando traveled with us on most occasions. We visited Guiseppe’s nearly
finished new home, two years in building. What a palace! We visited with
Mayor Diana, Mayor of Loiano who so graciously has allowed us to use the
facilities of her office to communicate via e-mail with our Italian
friends. We met DR. Inggiancarlo Rivelli in charge of the gothic line
project. Our stay at the hotel Pineta with its homey atmosphere made so
by Sabrina and her husband on the desk with the help of their little
daughter Analishia. What a Doll! Our new friend Umberto Magnani
surprised us with an invitation to stay without charge two nights at the
Palazzo Loup just outside of Loiano. This is a restored villa dating to
the eighteenth century. Our room on the top floor overlooked the
surrounding hills and mountains. The continental breakfast and the
evening meals were elegant. We enjoyed sunshine the entire stay. Our
dear friend, Fernando Gemignani, his wife Mirella and son Gabriele who
live in Florence invited us to return to Florence for a further visit, but
time did not permit.
Now a final word about Italy. At the end of WWII
the country was in ruins. We of course visited Il Giogo pass, Futa pass,
Radicosa pass, Pianoro, and the many little villages. Today, few scars,
if any, remain of the war years. The warmth of its people, its history
dating back centuries, and the beauty of the country itself will always
remain in my fondest memories.
Mel Cotton
