On Wednesday, October 2, 2024, the Florence American Cemetery will host a unique event to honor the 80th anniversary of the Northern Italian Campaign during World War II.

This solemn ceremony, organized by Be the Difference – Never Again, in partnership with the American Battle Monuments Commission and the U.S. Consulate General of Florence, will stand as a powerful tribute to the fallen American servicemembers who rest in this sacred place.

The tribute invites all participants to stand beside the headstone of a servicemember, creating a poignant moment of reflection. Each participant will receive the name of a specific servicemember and will be asked to honor their sacrifice by standing beside their grave, a gesture designed to bridge the past and present.

Wednesday, October 2, 2024, 11:00 AM. Florence American Cemetery, Via Cassia, SNC, 50023 Impruneta, Italy. Hosted by: The U.S. Consulate General of Florence, The American Battle Monuments Commission, Be the Difference – Never Again.

Attendees: Daniela Ballard, U.S. Consul General in Florence; Eryth Zecher, Superintendent of the Florence American Cemetery; Elizabeth Bettina, Founder of Be the Difference-Never Again and author of It Happened in Italy: Untold Stories of How Italians Defied the Horrors of the Holocaust; Mayors/dignitaries of several cities/villages in Tuscany; American and Italian citizens, including U.S. American study-abroad students.

A Living Tribute: First-of-Its-Kind Ceremony Commemorating the 80th Anniversary of the Northern Italian Campaign

The Florence American Cemetery is the final resting place for 4,402 American soldiers and a memorial to 1,409 Missing in Action from the Northern Italian Campaign during World War II. The event will provide participants, many of whom will be students from American colleges and universities in Italy, with an opportunity to reflect on the personal stories of the young men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice.

This event resonates as a poignant reminder of shared sacrifice, the importance of historical memory, and the enduring strength of U.S.-Italy relations.

Participants are encouraged to wear weather-appropriate clothing and footwear, as this is an outdoor event. Please RSVP by September 27, 2024, to confirm attendance and receive further logistical details. RSVP Link: https://forms.office.com/r/npTBPcSJU5 

Leading up to the ceremony, students will be given educational materials to help research the stories of the servicemembers they will honor. This learning experience connects students with history, offering them an opportunity to reflect on the lives of soldiers who were often the same age as them at the time of their service.

This first-of-its-kind event is designed to be a model for future ceremonies around the world at other American Battle Monuments Commission cemeteries, ensuring that the sacrifices made for freedom are remembered and honored across generations.

For more information, contact: Robbie Shackelford, Co-Founder of Be the Difference – Never Again. Email: [email protected] | Tel: +39 335 788 8443. Website: www.bethedifference-neveragain.org