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<\/a> \u201cThank you for welcoming us here to this beautiful and solemn place, on this auspicious occasion,\u201d Horne said. \u201cIt is with deep respect and gratitude that we gather today to remember, to honor, and to reflect.\u201d<\/p>\n Horne paid tribute not only to American soldiers, but also to the Italian partisans who risked their lives to resist Nazi occupation. She highlighted the contributions of Commander Manrico Ducceschi, known by the nickname of \u201cPippo,\u201d a legendary figure in the Italian resistance.<\/p>\n \u201cCommander Pippo dedicated himself fully to the cause of resistance,\u201d Horne said. \u201cWhen Allied troops made contact with his forces, they found in him not just a partner in battle, but a leader whose integrity and discipline had earned the loyalty of his men.\u201d<\/p>\n Ducceschi\u2019s unit was one of the few resistance groups allowed to keep their weapons and continue fighting alongside U.S. forces. For his bravery and leadership, he was awarded the Bronze Star by the U.S. Army.<\/p>\n \u201cHis true legacy lives on in the quiet freedom of these hills, in the lives that were spared, and in the generations that followed, free to speak, to gather, and to dream,\u201d Horne said.<\/p>\n The event is part of a broader community relations program at Camp Darby in which U.S. service members participate in commemorative ceremonies throughout Italy to mark the nation\u2019s liberation. Camp Darby, located near Pisa and just south of the Gothic Line, plays a key role in maintaining these historic ties. Many of the battles that shaped the final phase of the Italian campaign were fought in this region.<\/p>\n The goal of the program is to instill historical awareness in younger servicemembers while strengthening cultural ties with host communities.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s about more than remembrance,\u201d Horne said. \u201cIt\u2019s about learning the value of freedom through understanding the history and culture of those who fought beside us. That connection is what shapes our values today.\u201d<\/p>\n
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\n Sgt. Major Tameka Horne of the 839th Transportation Battalion delivered a powerful speech on behalf of the U.S. military community at Camp Darby.
\n (Photo Credit: Chiara Mattirolo)<\/span>
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\n Sgt. Major Tameka Horne of the 839th Transportation Battalion delivered a powerful speech on behalf of the U.S. military community at Camp Darby. Mrs. Laura Poggiani, nephew of WWII hero partisan congratulates with her.
\n (Photo Credit: Chiara Mattirolo )<\/span>
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