Headquarters Company

366th Infantry
APD 464
c/o Postmaster N. Y., NY

29 December 1944

Dear Langit,

To have lived in Italy all this time and not having been able to visit Rome would have been a disappointment therefore through rotation my time came and I found myself on the Appian Way, the first road built to establish communications between Rome and Naples. -- It is impossible for me to do justice in this letter in the description of the places I visited because of the recent developments that have taken place, therefore, if for long periods you don't hear from me attribute it to hard work and changes. I have my platoon now after being separated for some time therefore a good deal of my time will be spent working with it.

Upon reaching Rome there were many places I wanted to visit but I didn't know where to start first. For the convenience of visiting soldiers the Red Cross ran two tours a day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. The first day I did a bit of walking in order to orientate myself. On that day I met an artist who took me to the Royal Academy of Fine Arts. There I met three Sculptors, visited their studios and other studios of the Fine Arts. After touring the Academy it was suggested that I return after the war through the Government Educational Program and study Stone Carving. Before leaving I secured about 40 pounds of the Roman Clay which I hope to be able to use someday. From that visit I was quite inspired and picked up quite a few points on art.

The balance of the day was spent part shopping and part window shopping but there was little that I could buy because of the price of things and the scarcity of my funds. I did manage to get some very nice Christmas cards.

The Red Cross offers a very interesting program in the evenings so during the evenings I enjoyed moving pictures and games.

The second day found me waiting in line at the Red Cross at 8:30 in the morning in order to catch the early tour which covered The Monument to Victor Emanuel, Pantheon, Coliseum, Vatican City (including the Cathedral of St. Peter) and an audience with the Pope. The audience with the Pope was very impressive. Troops of many countries were assembled in the large and long palace, the room became quiet suddenly and at the further end of the room the Pope could be seen entering dressed in a white robe with a short furcape over his shoulders, carried in a chariot by four guards. As he passed over his audience he touched blessing the various articles that the soldiers held up to him. They brought him forward to his chair where he dismounted and sat. After viewing the soldiers he spoke for about five minutes blessing the audience and wishing them blessings. Every action was impressive and Spiritual.

On the afternoon tour we visited the charch of St. Paul and the Viennese Palace where Moussolini lived, I made it my business to step on the balcony from where he delivered his speeches. In the Conference room was assembled an exhibition of paintings of the Old masters which I enjoyed seeing.

The catacombs of Rome made by the early Christians for burial purposes the first five centuries after Christ, and also used as places of worship and as hiding places during the persecutions. They were very interesting. Many ruins of this ancient city still stand while many parts of the old buildings have been removed to construct new buildings and many of the treasures are distributed in various museums and churches in Italy.

Rome's position in Italy is in some respects similar to that occupied by the city of Washington in the United States, as it is the political and administrative capital of the country but is not a great industrial center. In certain other respects Rome possesses importance lacked by Washington. It occupies the position held by New York City as the financial center of the country, and it is also a great rail center, serving as a vital transport link between north and south.

Rome's characteristic industries are mainly of an artistic nature, including the manufacture or furniture, jewelry, artificial flowers, mosaics and statuary. There is a special factory in the Vatican which specializes in the manufacturing of mosaics and many of the pictures in St. Peter have been reproduced in mosaic which are the most beautiful in the world.

The civilian population is very friendly to the allied soldier as many of them speak English. The few days I spent there were some of the most interesting and inspiring days of my life.

Many days have passed since I composed the first part of this letter and I have travelled over many miles of land and water while you patiently wait to hear from me. During my travels I have visited Pisa and saw the famous leaning tower, would have climbed it had I had the time. I have been given many missions which have required all the knowledge I have acquired during the last three years as an Infantry soldier. All of us are doing our part to end this war for it shall be good to see home again.

This war is being fought a little different from what I thought while in the rear and since now that I see things in a different light I will do my part and I shall be careful in doing it.

Please note the change of my APO number and follow the news of the Fifth Army.

Today I received news of my promotion to Technical Sergeant. Just a step higher and a few more coins. This is not a battle promotion but just an added rank that the War Department decided