I FRATELLI DI ITALIA

The title of this post means "My Italian Brothers." Yesterday marked my last visit to Camp Invicta, the Italian FOB, and the last time that I will see my friends Giuseppe and Erman in Afghanistan. I say "in Afghanistan" because my wife and I plan to travel to Italy later this year. I hope to see them again then.

Pictured from left to right are SSG Bobby Jory, Italian CPT Giuseppe Lorusso, me and Italian LT Erman Panarese. Giuseppe and Erman gave SSG Jory and I the t-shirts that we're holding. We gave them our American Flag patches. You can see Erman holding his.

I can't say enough about Guiseppe and Erman. They kept me sane by feeding me great Italian food and through their friendship. Visiting with them was a welcome break from Camp Alamo and it gave me something to look forward to each week.

To my Italian friends, "Mille grazie."