Chapter 6:
October 1st 1943
Outside Naples, Italy
"Gather round, troopers!" the call of the battalion commander had reached the ears of the men.
Alex stood in the middle of the crowd next to Lieutenant Campbell, the newly-promoted Sergeant Tommaso Capelli and Sergeants Henry O'Malley and Alex Dempsey.
"As you may have gathered, we're nearing Naples, we'll be liberating the city from the enemy oppression!" the battalion commander had said.
Alex cheered, "Wooo! GO AIRBORNE!" many of the paratroopers laughed at Alex's enthusiasm as the commander said, "What's special about Naples to you, Sergeant?"
"My hometown, sir. I can bet on a hero's welcome!" Alex said. One of the paratroopers shouted, "What makes ya, say that?!"
"Just y'all watch, every girl from the front of the city to the end would line up and treat me like a hero." Alex laughed. Other paratroopers cheered and whooped aloud as they laughed.
The commander felt a grin on his face but it had then fell as he then said, "It'll be with sad news, that the 505th won't be gettin' into Naples first, 504th Regiment's goin' in first."
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Hearing that news, it felt like a punch to the gut for Alex. He wanted to be the first one into town, he wanted to walk in and have everyone crowding the street to welcome him home.
Many of the Paratroops groaned in annoyance as Alex felt a small piece of him break hearing the sorry news.
The only people that knew Alex's past in Naples had been Tommaso Capelli, Sergeant Dempsey and Corporal O'Malley even Lieutenant Campbell as well. They wanted Alex to achieve that dream and get the hero's welcome that he wanted.
Campbell looked on with soreness for his friend Alex. He wanted to damn well make sure that there would be something for Alex.
Tommaso and Henry watched the Lieutenant carefully, they knew a plan was formulating inside their platoon leader's head.
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After the briefing concluded, Campbell went towards the commander and headed into the tent, Campbell then spoke, "Colonel, may I have a moment in private?"
"Regarding?" the Colonel asked.
Campbell thought about his words and soon said, "It's about the Naples situation. We don't know if this is deserted or crawling with Germans. There are several Italian speakers in my platoon. If you allow my men to scout ahead, we can get the information necessary for you."
The Commander rounded a desk as he said, "I can't risk a platoon. I know you boys will tell me, that you can do it and you won't get in trouble."
"You'll have my word; all I ask is that the men be given a chance. A chance to help their brother." Campbell pleaded.
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The Colonel looked at Matthew Campbell and wondered something about the Irish-American officer. What was it that Alex had done to Matthew and what made him decide to side with Sergeant Galzetti?
He then guessed it had something to do with soldiers treating each other like brothers, their bond and loyalty to one another and the respect that each soldier regarded each other with.
The Colonel nodded as he said, "I won't know till I find out, won't I?"
Campbell just stood stone-faced as the Colonel nodded, "Damn it, alright your platoon will march in, just a scouting mission, then send in the 504th to follow in after you."
Campbell nodded as he left the tent, he walked back to the platoon as he said to them, "Good news, gentlemen. We're on patrol duty."
"Where we headed, Lieutenant?" Alex Galzetti asked.
Campbell smirked inwardly, "That's for me to know and you to find out when we get there."
Alex raised an eyebrow as the rest of the platoon followed the silent glare that they were given by Campbell to stay quiet.
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Heading out on patrol, the platoon had taken point, they made sure that Alex was lead scout of the patrol, they had stepped over the Naples lines already and the men kept their guard up.
In Alex's head, he wondered why he was leading scout of the patrol, nobody had volunteered and he himself had been 'volunteered' by Campbell.
As they patrolled the city, there was no sign of resistance, no German or Italian fascist resistance to indicate.
Through the windows of seemingly abandoned houses, eyes watched the American paratroopers patrol the street. A set of eyes laid on Alex Galzetti who led the patrol as one of the voices had said, "Alex Galzetti."
As they walked back, Alex spotted a destroyed building. He spotted the destroyed sign that had said, "Galzetti Pizzeria."
Alex walked towards the building; he touched the sign as he was hit with a flashback.
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Flashback Scene
October 1925
Naples, Italy
Alex Galzetti and his parents stood outside the pizzeria, his parents had dreamed for so long of opening a pizzeria since the war ended, his father Alessandro finally put much into his dream after leaving the service.
Ever since Alessandro had returned from war carrying with him the Italian Military's highest honor, the Naples crowd adored Alessandro who married Antonia Masera and it was a love story that had taken the province by storm.
Much of the townspeople travelled to enjoy the day and sample some of the food that would be made by the family.
"By the power invested in our family and the Province of Naples, I hereby declare Galzetti's Pizzeria open for business." Alessandro and Antonia had said simultaneously.
Both Alessandro and Antonia cut the ribbon signalling the opening of the Galzetti Pizzeria, they both kissed with passion as everyone cheered and applauded the couple.
Alex stood by his parents, they had smiled with joy in their hearts, their eyes all smiled widely.
Alex's shining blue eyes were the exact colour of his mother, who had both beauty and compassion in her soul, the years of war during her time as a nurse, saving the lives of the soldiers that protected the freedom of Italy itself.
Then meeting her husband who was a brave war hero on the frontlines. They could finally live a world that would never know war, once again.
End Flashback
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Present Day
Alex returned to the present as he walked inside, the place was destroyed beyond repair.
He walked inside and memories flooded his conscience. He could hear the laughter, the tears and the joy. The smallest of smiles filled Alex's face with the notion that he was finally where he wanted to be.
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As he walked deeper into the building, there was a moment that had gripped him. he could hear the cries of a woman, Alex held his weapon tightly, he walked into the room and saw a vision of a woman. It was his mother!
He remembered the pain in her eyes, the broken tone in her voice that filled his gut with dread. His imagination of hearing his mother Antonia spoke to him, "My son, I'm so sorry!"
"What happened, Mama?!" Alex said.
"I was attacked, by someone evil. They hurt me in ways that you should not hurt others in." his mother cryptically said.
Alex growled as he said, "I will take care of 'em, Mama." "No, my baby. You cannot, they will hurt you, they'll kill you."
"I cannot let you see me in my darkest moments. Promise me, that when the time is right, you will avenge us. Avenge our family." Antonia tearfully pleaded. Alex promised, "I will, Mama."
"You're your father's son. Strong, brave, quick to anger and quick to action. Promise me that you will not let your anger cloud your judgement. You fight with your heart clear; love is the greatest strength that a soldier will need." Antonia said to him.
The next thing he could hear was his mother shooting herself out of shame. Alex's tears imaginably caused him irreconcilable grief, it would not be long after his mother's death that he impulsively slaughtered the men that had murdered his father and caused his mother to die.
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He then heard footsteps as he saw Tommaso enter, there was no words to be said between either soldier, Alex just said, "Seeing this place. Had I stayed, I would be fightin' you, I would be blasting my brothers out of the sky. Murdering innocent people, I'd be as much as a monster as they are."
"Don't dwell on the past, but dwell on what matters the most, this war will end, only we can guarantee it." Tommaso had said.
Heading back to join the patrol, they soon reported to the battalion HQ that there was no sign of German or Italian forces in the town.
Alex suggested a plan of using several loudspeakers to get the citizens of Naples attention to listen.
Once the loudspeakers were set up, Alex then spoke clearly and in his native tongue of Italian.
"Attenzione, cittadini napoletani. Dalle parole di Alessandro e Antonia Galzetti: "Nei giorni più bui, affrontiamo sfide, la nostra fede messa alla prova. Amicizie e famiglie distrutte, ma con l'unione sono solidificate dalle stesse fondamenta su cui ci siamo fermati.'"
The men waited for a response. They soon saw the civilians walking along the sidewalks, they held handmade flags of American and British.
Alex could recognise a few of the people walking down, 2 of the people were old friends from his school.
One particular girl was Annamarie Manetti, a close friend of the Galzetti family and one of the only people that Alex had seen as a friend. The pair fell in love but when his parents died, Alex had to flee, he felt horrible for leaving her behind.
Everyone cheered loudly for the 82nd Airborne Division who passed through the city. Naples was liberated and it was the next step in forcing the Germans out of Italy.
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English to Italian Translation:
Attention, citizens of Naples. From the words of Alessandro and Antonia Galzetti, 'In the darkest of days, we face challenges, our faith tested. Friendships and families torn apart, but with togetherness they are solidified by the very foundations we stood on.' - Attenzione, cittadini napoletani. Dalle parole di Alessandro e Antonia Galzetti: "Nei giorni più bui, affrontiamo sfide, la nostra fede messa alla prova. Amicizie e famiglie distrutte, ma con l'unione sono solidificate dalle stesse fondamenta su cui ci siamo fermati.'