Events

November 2007

Chargé d’Affaires Maryruth Coleman and Defense Attaché Jeff Vestal participates in the annual commemoration of Slovene veterans, Škrbina, November 11

On November 11, Chargé d’Affaires Maryruth Coleman and Defense Attaché Jeff Vestal participated in Škrbina in the annual commemoration of Slovene veterans who fought with Allied forced in WWII.  Those soldiers, who were originally impressed into the Italian army to serve in Asia and Africa, fled to the Allies when Italy capitulated in 1943.  They were trained by British and U.S. Intelligence to assist the partisan movement as parachutists, scouts, interpreters and radio operators.  Some died in action and others were captured after the war and executed; 18 of the parachutists are named on a plaque in the town of Skrbina.   The Chargé spoke in remembrance of the war dead and, together with Slovene guests of honor, laid a wreath at the memorial.

Chargé Coleman speaking in remembrance of the war dead

Commemoration of Slovene veterans.

Slovene veterans graves