WWII Military Cemetery in Italy

VFW Post 1463 Commander Joel Ellis, VFW Member Tom Tedrow and their wives recently vacationed in Italy where they visited the Florence American Cemetery and Memorial, an American World War II military cemetery where 4,402 servicemen and women are interred. The cemetery covers 70 acres and is one of fourteen permanent American World War II Military cemeteries erected on foreign soil by the American Battle Monuments Commission.

Joel and Tom were honored to participate in the flag retreat ceremony at the cemetery. The retreat ceremony serves a twofold purpose; it signals the end of the official duty day and serves as a ceremony for paying respect to the flag. Traveling in Italy at this same time and joining in the retreat ceremony was Homer Somers, a 90-year-old World War II veteran. Homer was stationed in Italy during World War II and recounted details of many battles and his experiences in Italy during that war.

Overviews of cemetery in Florence, Italy







Cemetery Caretaker lowers the American Flag in Italy.




Joel, Ellis, cemetery caretaker, Homer and Alma Somers, Tom Tedrow




Joel and Tom perform the ritual folds of the American flag.