Behind the bar at Graziano’s Restaurant in Canastota, along with images of legendary boxing champions and Frank Sinatra’s Rat Pack, are several faded pictures of young men in military uniform. One photo of three soldiers is inscribed “June 6, 1944.” “They were killed,” says Tony Graziano, waving his arm toward the photos.

He opened the Italian restaurant and lounge shortly after World War II near what became the Canastota exit of the state Thruway. Graziano steps behind the bar. He runs his finger along a photo of five soldiers standing with captured Nazi flags and other items. Their names, written at the bottom of the photo, are “Rod. Chief. Pete. Tony. Mrugula.”