They Are Not Forgotten: A Prayer on POW/MIA Recognition Day

associazionebenach
Sep 19
2 min read

*A U.S. paratrooper from Vicenza salutes over the waters where the DUKW sank, as a wreath honors the 25 missing soldiers of the 10th Mountain Division.*

Today, on POW/MIA Recognition Day, our thoughts turn to the soldiers who never returned home, and to the families who have carried their absence for generations.

Here in Torbole, on the northern shore of Lake Garda, remembrance is not abstract. On April 30, 1945, just as the war in Italy was nearing its end, 25 soldiers of the U.S. 10th Mountain Division disappeared into these waters. They were young men who had fought their way through the Apennines, liberated villages, and brought hope to a weary land. Peace was within sight — and yet they never saw it. Their loss lingers here still, in the stillness of the lake and in the silence of the mountains.

At Association Benach, we have come to believe that “never forgotten” must be more than words. It must be lived. For us, remembrance means searching archives for fragments of their stories, reaching out to families in the United States to share what happened here, and giving voice to their memory through projects like the documentary The Lost Mountaineers. It means pausing in front of the water on quiet evenings, saying their names, and making sure the people of Torbole remember that American boys gave their lives here, far from home.

Over the lake and mountains, we will stand together and offer this prayer, written by Chaplain (LTC) John B. Gabriel:

Almighty God, we gather today with heavy hearts, remembering the brave mountaineers of the 10th Mountain Division who lost their lives in the challenging terrain near Lake Garda. We recall their courage, their dedication to duty, and the spirit of camaraderie that bound them together. Like the mountains they trained to conquer, they faced adversity with strength and resilience. Grant them eternal rest, O Lord, and comfort those who mourn their loss – families, friends, and fellow soldiers. May we never forget their sacrifice, and may their memory inspire us to live lives worthy of their devotion. Bless those who continue to serve, protecting freedom and upholding the values they held dear. Grant them safety in their endeavours and strength in times of hardship. As we look upon the beauty of these mountains, we are reminded of the fragility of life and the sacred duty of honoring those who gave their all. Through your grace, may peace prevail and may their legacy endure. Amen.

On this solemn day, we join our voices with America’s. To the families of the missing, we say: your sons are not forgotten here. Their sacrifice is carved into the mountains, reflected in the lake, and remembered in our hearts. If you come to Torbole, you will find friends who honor them as family, and a community that keeps their memory alive.

Across an ocean, on this day of remembrance, know that here in Torbole we stand with you — quietly, reverently, and with unshakable devotion — saying: they are not forgotten.