Sixth Fleet Commander Honors Fallen Heroes at Sicily-Rome Cemetery
NETTUNO, Italy (May 30, 2011) - Vice Adm. Harry B. Harris Jr., commander of U.S. 6th Fleet, salutes during the presentation of the American and Italian national anthems. Harris travelled to the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery and Memorial to participate in a Memorial Day ceremony as the guest speaker. The cemetery is the final resting place of 7,861 service members and the Wall of the Missing memorial notates the names of 3,095 service members.
NETTUNO, Italy (May 30, 2011) - Vice Adm. Harry B. Harris Jr., commander of U.S. 6th Fleet, delivers his remarks to guests during a Memorial Day ceremony held at the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery and Memorial. The cemetery is the final resting place of 7,861 service members and the Wall of the Missing memorial notates the names of 3,095 service members.
NETTUNO, Italy – Commander, U.S. 6th Fleet, travelled to the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery and Memorial in the small Italian town of Nettuno to participate in a Memorial Day ceremony, May 30.
Vice Adm. Harry B. Harris Jr., partook in the ceremony as the guest speaker held at this 'sepulchered field of illustrious men.'
"President Ronald Reagan once said, 'most of those who died in defense of our country were boys when they died, and they gave up two lives: the ones they were living, and the one they would have lived,'" said Harris. "'They gave up their chance to be husbands and fathers and grandfathers, they gave up everything for their country; for us. All we can do is remember.'"
Harris went on to speak about the vast number of men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice in the pursuit of peace.
"These were all ordinary men and women who took up arms to defend freedom around the world," said Harris. "Each had their own unique story. Each was someone's son or daughter, brother or sister, or husband or wife. Each gave his or her last full measure."
Harris completed his speech with a reminder to the guests.
"We should never forget the 7,861 American sons and daughters who lay here before us and the 3,095 missing whose names are inscribed on the Wall of the Missing," said Harris. "We MUST never forget them."
Tributes were also made to the men and women who rest at the memorial by Miguel Diaz, U.S. Ambassador to the Holy Sea, and Giuseppe Cossiga, Italian Vice Defense Secretary.
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