Retire Early Lifestyle
Retirement; like your parents, but way cooler

In 1991 Billy and Akaisha Kaderli retired at the age of 38. Now, into their 4th decade of this financially independent lifestyle, they invite you to take advantage of their wisdom and experience.

Sicily-Rome American Cemetery and Memorial

Nettuno, Italy

Billy and Akaisha Kaderli

Currency Converter

Situated roughly 38 miles south of Rome, you will find the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery and Memorial.

This well-maintained cemetery honors American service members who died during World War II, particularly in the campaigns of Sicily, Salerno, Anzio, and surrounding areas.

Over 7,800 American soldiers are buried here. There are also nearly 3,100 names inscribed on the Walls of the Missing, honoring those missing in action.

We had to see this.

We left our hotel in Anzio and took the train to Nettuno, Italy, the last stop on this route.

The Entrance

It's all very somber.

Quiet, beautiful, almost sanctified, this cemetery calls you in.

Peaceful reflection pond

The cemetery covers 77 acres with Cypress trees, like soldiers at attention, making a statement at the reflection pond.

Straight ahead in this stately building you will find maps, photos and other information regarding these battles that were fought in Italy. There were the battles fought in Sicily (Operation Husky), Anzio's Landing and the Liberation of Rome.

The soldiers at rest here gave it their ALL. They gave their lives to liberate this area from the tyranny of fascism.

The American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) maintains the cemetery.

The sign dedicated to those who died in WWII

Famously, Franklin D. Roosevelt said: "We are now in the midst of a war, not for conquest, not for vengeance, but for a world in which this nation, and all that this nation represents, will be safe for our children."

This war was taken very seriously by the Free World.

There was no quibbling about it and the mission was very clear.

Brass statue of soldiers walking together

This bronze statue named “Brothers-in-Arms” symbolizes the partnership between the U.S. Army and Navy.

The statue itself depicts two soldiers, one a sailor and one a soldier, standing together with arms around each other's shoulders.

It serves as a tribute to the unity and collaboration between the different branches of the military that was crucial during the war.

World War II was waged on land, on sea and in the air for approximately 6 years.

Map showing the invasion strategy

From this map you can clearly see the city and port of Anzio in the center where Anzio's Landing took place.

There were other routes of attack and counter attack also.

Map showing Operation Shingle and Operation Avalanche

Operation Shingle, also known as the Battle of Anzio, was an Allied amphibious landing in Italy during World War II.

The British and American forces landed and had initial success. Since they faced minimal opposition initially, the Allies established a beachhead.

Major General John P. Lucas never had faith in the operation and he decided to stay put (instead of moving onward to Rome) and wait for more supplies and reinforcements. Because of this the Germans regrouped and attacked savagely, causing great loss of life.

Churchill famously commented that "I had hoped we were hurling a wild cat onto the shore, but all we got was a stranded whale".

How would you like THAT to be your legacy?

Thousands of crosses memorializing those who died

World War II was the largest and most violent armed conflict in the history of mankind.

The rows and rows of white crosses go on and on and on.

Officially dedicated in 1956, the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery became a place to honor the sacrifice of American soldiers who fell during the liberation of Italy.

Plot C Row 1 Grave 13

Every white marble cross has someone's name on it; A human being who fought and died to liberate Rome from fascism.

This white marble is a special type specifically chosen for its purity and beauty, a fitting tribute to the fallen soldiers.

Called Lasa marble, it comes from the Lasa Valley in northern Italy.

There were over 90,000 headstones produced and were used all over the world to commemorate the fallen soldiers.

Kenneth A. Mc Neale

This young man from New York died on March 1, 1944.

You can find all the soldiers who died listed on the website www.abmc.gov

Willie R. Furr from North Carolina

Each name represents someone's son or brother. Perhaps they were someone's sweetheart, husband or father.

They could have been a classmate, a neighbor, a friend.

The building where the maps and stories are kept

This cemetery is a respectful, quiet place where people come to pay tribute and learn more about the war.

Would we recommend that you visit?

Absolutely!

__________

Sicily-Rome American Cemetery and Memorial

Piazzale Kennedy 1

00048 Nettuno, RM

Tele: +39 06 988 0284

Open daily 9am to 5pm

Open to the public all year round, with visitor center facilities available.

Retire Early Lifestyle appeals to a different kind of person – the person who prizes their independence, values their time, and who doesn’t want to mindlessly follow the crowd.

HOME   Book Store

Retire Early Lifestyle Blog      About Billy & Akaisha Kaderli      Press     Contact     20 Questions     Preferred Links    

Retirement     Country Info     Retiree Interviews      Commentary     REL Videos