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Posted By:
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Harvey Goranson
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Posted On:
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Wednesday May 23, 2012 at 9:09 PM
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Message:
I got to observe Memorial Day early this year - in an unexpected place
Kay and I celebrated our anniversary this year in grand style, taking a trip to Rome and a one-week cruise in the Mediterranean. One of the ports of call was Tunis, Tunisia, and I opted for a ship-sponsored excursion to see the neighborhood of Sidi Bou Said with its old homes with white walls and bright blue doors, and various old Roman and Cartheginian ruins. But not listed on the itinerary was a stop here:
 The Allies launched an offensive beginning in November 1942 that would set the stage to enter southern Europe. First, the Allies would land in Morocco and Algeria and drive German and Italian forces east. By May 13, 1943 the Axis forces surrendered in Tunisia.
 This memorial was established in 1948 to consolidate temporary cemetaries in North Africa. The cemetary lies atop part of ancient Carthage, between the Mediterranean and the Bay of Tunis. The government of Tunisia granted its use in perpetuity. It covers 27 acres.
 There are 2,833 headstones. These include 240 unknowns, 4 sets of brothers, and one Medal of Honor recipient.
 A US agency, the American Battle Monuments Commission, maintains this site, which is one of 24 cemetaries and 25 memorials, markers, and monuments in 15 countries. This site was impeccably maintained (there aren't many green lawns in Tunis!) Note the squared-off trees.
 Inscribed on this wall are 3,724 names of the missing.
 "Honor to Them that Trod the Path of Honor"
 It was totally unexpected to see this flag flying in an African, mostly Moslem nation:
"...time will not dim the glory of their deeds."
General John J. Pershing, first chairman of the American Battle Monuments Commission And BTW, I had an uncle who flew a P-40 in this campaign.
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 | I got to observe Memorial Day early this year - in an unexpected place by Harvey Goranson #8123
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