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On Aug. 29, Travis Prestridge visited his father’s grave at Sicily-Rome American Cemetery, Italy, for the first time.
Pfc. Robert T. Prestridge was killed in action during the breakout of the Anzio Beachhead on May 23, 1944, in World War II. Travis was only two when his dad was sent overseas. He was too young to remember his dad, but he cherishes one photo of them together taken shortly before Prestridge was sent off to North Africa.
While he grew up without his dad, Travis knew his dad loved him: while Robert Prestridge was in the Mediterranean, he wrote letters directly to his son so that, once he could read them, he would know from his own words that he loved him and had hopes for a world with no more war, loss and bloodshed.
During his visit, Travis was joined by his wife, Arneta, and WWII veterans Arthur Shak and Donald Brower who fought in Italy and came to pay respects to their fallen comrades.
Prestridge’s sacrifice continues to be remembered at Sicily-Rome American Cemetery, where he is buried plot J, row 13, grave 12.
