Revisiting May 2012 trip to Italy

Five years ago this month, Kathleen, Nick, Robert and Bobbie made their first trip to the homeland in Italy.  This May, they were able to visit again.  While we look forward to their pictures and stories, I thought it might be fun to see again some of what we learned from the previous visit.

From the May 2012 trip pics, I've been able to sort out some of your grandfather's (Costante DALPIAZ) siblings.  I thought you might like to "meet" them!  These would be aunts and uncles to your Dad Robert DALPIAZ.

An older sister Maria:  according to Trentini birth records, her full name is Maria Severina Carlotta Carolina Dalpiaz married a Menapace:

A younger sibling Edvige Rosa Dalpiaz married Pio Valentini

Pio, another younger sibling is in the same gravesite as his parents

How nice for us that photos seem to be standard additions to tombstones.  These guys generally lived long happy lives so you come from hardy stock.

Tullia DALPIAZ, Costante's youngest sister, died January 13 2017 at the age of 101!!!!  She was a nun and appeared to have lived a happy life.  In 2012, Kathleen, Nick, Robert and Bobbie were able to pay a visit.  We are grateful family members in Italy shared the news with us. 

This is another tombstone picture from Kathleen and Nick.  At the very bottom you can see Riccardo Dalpiaz who was an uncle to your grandfather Costante.  As you can see here, Riccardo died in war--in the Dolomites according to family legend.

We'll have to consult the historians in the family for better detail and perspective, but I believe Riccardo's death resulted from the Italian Campaign of WWI 1915-1918 between the Austria Hungary army and the Italian army for control of the Tyrol region (overly simplified for those that don't understand WWI military campaigns any better than I do--sorry, Thomas.).  In other words--I think this was the BIG one for your family testing their loyalties.  I do not know which army Riccardo belonged to.  I think military service was required of young men in this region and he may have found himself a solider by duty rather than by choice.  Regardless, he is deserving of recognition for his service to his country.  He was a 40 year old soldier fighting battles that probably were far too close to home.

I feel certain this May 2017 trip will be just as memorable for all involved.  What a blessing that the family can reconnect!