Ladies and Gentlemen:

80 years ago, to the minute, brave paratroopers of the First Battalion, 505^th Parachute Infantry Regiment, who had parachuted into the area just behind the fortifications to our rear, were fighting off German efforts to attack through this very point to destroy the American First Infantry Division which was coming ashore near Gela.  These infantrymen were to link up with the paratroopers in the coming days.  

Today I join you not only as a former warrior, but as the son of a true warrior (LTC Arthur
F. Gorham) who was leading those paratroopers who were fighting outnumbered and out gunned to safeguard the landings near Gela. My father gave his life while leading his airborne soldiers against this determined foe at the beginning of the effort to rid Italy and Europe of the scourge of Fascism’s two evil dictatorships. His name is at the top of the tablet behind me.

I am again today reminded of a saying that I had to learn while a cadet at West Point that is attributed to General Douglas MacArthur-“There is no substitute for
victory.” The brave men and women from many countries who struggled with the foe
here in Sicily 80 years ago as part of Operation Husky knew what the sweet taste of
victory would be.

The Allied invasion of Sicily, codenamed Operation Husky, was the major World War II
campaign, in which the Allies took Sicily from the Axis (Italy and Nazi Germany). It was a
coordinated large scale amphibious and airborne operation, followed by six weeks of
intense land combat. Husky set the stage for launching the campaign to liberate the rest
of Italy. The lessons learned from Operation Husky made the landings at Normandy possible. It all began right here!

My friend, Senore Ventura, whose farm we are at today, remembers observing as a young boy the fighting and dying that occurred right here where we celebrate the feats of those brave warriors who fought here for freedom. History was made by these brave men. It was the first nighttime mass parachute drop ever. It was the first true test of combined military operations by a military coalition. At midnight on July 9/10, 1943 these men would leap into Sicily totally unaware that scores of German panzers were lurking just inland in the darkness.

For many of the American forces and for the entire Canadian contingent, this was their first time in combat. They learned here what it meant to win on the battlefield against a determined foe.

Today the nature of warfare has changed. It is unclear what constitutes victory in the
current political climate in the eyes of the media. What is the taste of victory? We fight against terrorists who know no rules of war and who want to deny us our freedoms. Very pertinent to today is what Winston Churchill said in 1940 before the United States entered World War II: “Victory at all cost. Victory in spite of all terror. Victory no matter how long and how hard the road may be; for without victory there is no survival.”.

As we contemplate the sacrifices made 80 years ago let us insure that the warriors’, who died freeing the world from Fascism and later communism, lives will continue to be relevant in our search for freedom from the tyranny that terrorists and others would impose on us. We as an international community must remember that for without victory there is no survival. Those brave men and women of 80 years ago understood this–do we?

Let me close by reassuring those who gave their lives for freedom that we understand
their sacrifice by reciting The Absent Legions by – Edgar A. Guest

Somewhere, far away, ‘they heard us
When the word of Victory stirred us.
Safe within God’s Holy keeping,
Heard us cheer and saw us weeping;
Shared in all we did or said-
Freedom’s glorious, youngest dead.

Never doubt it, there was gladness
Where the dead are done with madness,
Hate and hurt, and need for dying.

As they saw our banners flying

On our day of joyous pride,

” ‘Twas for this,” said they,

“We died!”

What if tears our eyes had blinded.
As of them we were reminded?
Never doubt it. they were voicing
Somewhere. songs of great rejoicing;
Glad to look on earth and see

Safe our country. still. and free.

Finally, I want to thank Senore Ventura and all of our Sicilian friends for the warm hospitality extended to my family and all who celebrate freedom.  In our 4 visits to this hallowed ground, we have been warmly received and we appreciate the friendship that has not only been developed here but between our two nations.

May God bless the warriors listed on the memorial behind me and all of the warriors who died for freedom and each and every one of us.

Thank you!