From skydivers to flybys, Salernitanans know how to celebrate freedom from the Nazi regime. After the flyby, I hear a soft band playing in the distance - so I go investigate. Outside one of the main government buildings, representatives from each branch of the armed forces and politicians gather to remember those lost in the war. Names are read, taps is played on a lone trumpet. Many feelings go through my body - pride, sadness, fear. Then the question is, why? Pride because today is the day they celebrate the Allies conquest (aka mostly America in Italian minds). Sadness because I realize how many lives were lost in the war and how it directly effected lives of people living in Salerno and Italy. Fear because I know many people in the armed forces, including my boyfriend. I realized he would be attending funerals of those lost in war and be directly effected by battles being waged. After taps was played, a march was played - a familiar one -possibly the anthem but I'm not entirely sure. The march gradually became a new source of energy and hope. It was a way of rising from the ashes - much like Italy has done since the war. I'm praying the same happens in the spiritual battle - that Italians would die to themselves to be rised anew in Christ, basking in His love and power.
