Footfall on the Nisei Trail has been quite heavy this year!
August always brings a little lull in the touring season. The peaking summer temperatures, looming back-to-school vibes, local businesses closed, … all add to that temporary interruption of tours.
It doesn’t mean it’s time off for us though. On the contrary! It provides much needed space to push on with the preparations for the second half of the season. Particularly this year, with 80th anniversary commemorations ongoing, the fall is still very busy. Between the tours on the schedule yet, we will cover all areas where the Nisei went.
The home-time also offers an opportunity for a quick glance back at the first half of the season. What we see there, is very encouraging…!
Nisei becoming more visible
Bruyeres always receives quite a bit of attention and even more so in the “big” anniversary years. But a lot has happened over in Italy to make sure the Nisei legacy is not forgotten there either.
Several initiatives preserve the history and the role played by the 100th/442nd alongside the local forces. At the same time, these projects will also help making the Nisei stories of WW2 accessible to a wider audience.
Monte Belvedere Trail
Heavy rains in the spring caused a rock slide on the path to Monte Folgorito. Consequently, with the trail impassable, it put the vintage jeeps from our friends of Linea Gotica Tirrenica out of commission. Without the ride to the meadow below the top, the hike to Folgorito was out…
With less than 2 weeks before the arrival of our group, Davide del Giudice sprung into action! He researched the battle fought on Monte Belvedere by the men of F Co and cleared a trail along the various positions.
The area above Pasquilio now has 3 clearly marked trails with signposted positions: to Monte Folgorito, to the Folgorito-Carchio Ridge and Monte Belvedere.
Hill 140 Memorial Park and Trail
The young guns of Toscana ’44 have spent a lot of time and effort over the past few years on restoring positions on Hill 140. Therefore, several of our groups have been able to tread where few have gone since the Nisei won the battle for “Little Cassino”. However, since the hill sits on private land, the site has limited access.
To celebrate the liberation of Castellina Marittima 80 years ago, Toscana ’44 joined forces with the town council to establish a small memorial park on the road into town. The information panel tells the story of the battle. From the new benches, one can overlook the hill while picturing the events.
A second information panel was placed along an existing trail at the foot of the hill with a timeline of the battle.
Colle Pretta Nisei Memorial Park
Tendola has been home to a memorial park for quite a while already. At the spot where sniper fire killed Beano Hayashi, 2 monuments commemorate the battle for the town and the 21 Medal of Honor recipients within the 100th/442nd.
Now, an information panel offers insight in the hostilities on neighbouring Monte Nebbione and Colle Musatello, where Senator Daniel Inouye was severely wounded. More improvement works are planned.
Continuing to build the Nisei Trail
Clearly, all these tangible improvements to bring the Nisei story into the mainstream sit alongside plenty more intangible efforts. Our tour members witnessed the signing of a friendship agreement between the County of Maui and the Commune of Castellina Marittima. A presentation of a video documentary at Cassino. Liberation celebrations hosted at Camp Darby. Research into grave markers from the temporary cemeteries… All of those are just a handful of other experiences that make the bonds with our local friends so special.
We applaud their efforts and dedication and will actively keep supporting their efforts. Together, we will keep building our “Nisei Trail” through Europe.
Follow the Go for Broke Spirit and join us on the Nisei Trail!