European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - June 6, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Long rows of Marble crosses and stars of David Are perfectly aligned at Sicily Rome american cemetery in Nettuno Italy. S4s Luthere Are some things you can to forget Sicily Rome american cemetery guide escorts comforts visitor by sue Palumbo Mediterranean Bureau Nettuno Italy a there is no handbook on compassion. If there were Ernesto Rosi could be the author. A guide at the Sicily Rome american cemetery and memorial in Nettuno the quiet mannered Rosi helps families and friends find the Graves of their loved ones. And if they want to talk he listens to their stories a there Are some thing you can to forget a said Rosi who said he has gotten misty eyed on More than one occasion. A there is one woman who will remain in my mind  she was an american an older woman he said. It was about eight years ago. A i escorted her to the grave site and then walked away a Rosi said during an interview last month at the cemetery. A she stood there for a while and then she pulled out a Small bottle of wine from her purse. She poured it on the grave and then she took a sip. A a a after a while she came Over and started. Talking. A i did no task. I never do. But she knew i was wondering. She told me the grave belonged to her Fiance. The last time shed seen him head told her they would share a bottle of their favorite wine when he came Back from the War. But he never came Back. A i asked her if shed Ever married and she said no. She had saved her Money and waited until she retired from her Job to come so she could share the wine with  the Sicily Rome cemetery 38 Miles South of Rome at Nettuno averages Between 40,000 to 50,000 visitors yearly. Not everyone who visits takes the time to explain their actions Many quietly pay their respects and go. Others leave Flowers or other sentimental treasures on the crosses. Small stones Are often left on the Star of David markers by those of the jewish Faith. A usually they bring a Stone from Home and leave it at the grave a said Joseph Bevlaqua the superintendent. Bevlaqua regularly inspects the Marble headstones himself and ensures the grounds Are kept immaculate. He said groundskeeper leave the Flowers or other keepsakes in the Sites for As Long As they look presentable. Be family taped a family portrait to the Cross of their loved one. Rosi left it there for several weeks and then sent it Back to the family at their request. Most people leave Flowers or have them ordered on special Days such As memorial Day Bevlaqua said. The cemetery has several requests on hand from people who ordered Flowers through the year 2000. Cemetery officials take a picture of the grave with the Flowers and Send it to the family. Rosi said that after a while they know which Graves have Flowers ordered for them on a regular basis. Bevlaqua Rosi and their co workers bought their own Flowers for one Soldier when they realized the woman who had been sending Flowers for him every year had passed away. In Honor of a visit by president Bush about five years ago local schoolchildren placed a Flower on each grave for memorial Day. Bevlaqua said he does no to know if the act will be repeated when president Clinton is scheduled to preside Over a special 50th anniversary commemoration ceremony june 3. Several veterans groups Are expected to visit in Honor of the anniversary. Visits by veterans and next of Kin Are invariably emotional said Rosi. Most people cry and cemetery officials Are careful to afford them As much assistance and privacy As they desire he said. One Veteran makes a yearly pilgrimage to visit the grave of a Friend who died while on watch. The fallen Friend had taken the visitors turn on guard duty because his buddy had a bout of stomach flu. Though the cemetery is open year round for visitors from 8 . To 5 . From april to september until 6 . Most family members Call ahead to let Bevlaqua know of their arrival. Bevlaqua said he often gets entire families who make the cemetery a required Stop on their vacation. But the cemetery also gets a lot of people who just drop in unannounced. A you never know who is going to be Here so you treat everyone the same and you re of a said Rosi. A it could be a congressman or a senator or a priest in Tennis  Rosi still receives a Christmas card from a grateful visitor he assisted when the Man and his two companions had car problems after visiting the cemetery. It Wasny to until after they were ready to go that Rosi discovered the three were two priests and a Bishop a Clad in jeans and Tennis shoes. There Are 7,862 people interred at the 28 a stars and stripes commemorative edition june 6, 1994 r