Sergeant Peter Wallis and Colonel Matthew Gomlak presented Mary Mion with an iced fresh fruit cake on Thursday, according to the U.S. military’s official website. The ceremony took place before Mion’s 90th birthday on April 29 and was hosted by Italian officials at the Giardini Salvi, a park in the heart of Vicenza, Italy.
On April 28, 1945, American troops from the 88th Infantry Division fought against German troops in the northeastern Italian city.
Mion was just a teenager when the battle migrated to her village of San Pietro. As German soldiers open fire near her farm, she hides with her mother in the attic.
When she awoke the next morning, American troops had taken the freshly baked birthday cake her mother had left for her on their windowsill.
At least 19 American soldiers were killed or wounded in the battle, and several American tanks were destroyed. The locals in Vicenza then built ties with the US military, congratulating the soldiers on bread and wine.
‘I will never forget’
Military personnel are working with the National Archives of the United States to obtain retro war films and images of battles in the city.
The footage presented at the ceremony also documents the friendship between the US military and the people of Vicenza after the fighting was delayed.
“This warm welcome from the people of Vicenza continues to this day,” said Gomlak, commander of the U.S. military garrison in Italy.
Speaking about Mion’s reaction to her theft after the initial joy of her birthday, he added: “Her happiness turned into disappointment later when the resourceful American soldiers left with her birthday cake.”
“I feel great giving her the cake,” said Wallis, a military police soldier.
Mion wiped the tears from his eyes as hundreds of onlookers, including American and Italian soldiers, veterans, police and locals, watched the emotional exchange.
“Tomorrow we will eat this dessert with my whole family, remembering this wonderful day that I will never forget,” said Mion.
Add Comment