About 300 folks came together at Florence American Cemetery for the “Living Tribute”

Oct 03, 2024 200

BY: Michael Wright

Thank you to the University of Pittsburgh, Duquesne University, Marist College, Syracuse University, Lipscomb University, Harding University, and any other AACUPI students and staff who participated yesterday at the Be the Difference-Never Again "Living Tribute" to honor the 80th Anniversary of the Northern Italian Campaigns in WWII.

We were honored to have Daniela Ballard, Consul General of Florence, and Eryth Zecher, the Superintendent of the Florence American Cemetery, as well as the co-founders of Be the Difference-Never Again, Elizabeth Bettina, Robbie Shackelford, and Michael Wright present. The Carabinieri Band added amazing music to the event, as did the family members of soldiers buried at the cemetery.

Organizations like the Jewish Community of Florence, the Tuscan American Association, the Scouts, the American military stationed at different bases throughout Italy, and the Associazione Arma Aeronautica were just a few in attendance. Multiple mayors from surrounding towns, including San Casciano and Scandicci, also participated. Incredible stories were shared of the living and the dead - connecting us in a special way as we seek pathways towards a more peaceful planet.

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