The Fort Smith Museum of History was immensely honored to act as the hosting organization on behalf of the City of Fort Smith, Arkansas for our friends and the delegation from Cisterna, Italy for the 40th Anniversary of the "twinning" of the two cities this past week (9/24/24-9/28/24).
The visit was an exceedingly moving, poignant, fun, and celebratory week of honoring the special relationship of the Sister-cities.
The following blog/post is lengthy, as a week as important as this past week deserves its rightful recognition.
The Cisterna delegation visiting Fort Smith was Cisterna’s Vice Mayor, Dr. Maria Innamorato, former Mayor of Cisterna, Mr. Gianni Salis, Mrs. Rita Manieri, Ms. Sara Salis, Mr. Mauro Carapellotti, and Ms. Sylvia Carapellotti. Joining the Italian delegation throughout the week were friends and fellow citizens of Cisterna who currently reside in the United States, Texas and Oklahoma respectively, were, Giovanni & Leda Filippi, and Mr. Devis Possagno and family.
To respectfully honor the 40th anniversary of “Gemellaggio”, 4 days of activities, tours, exhibitions, and ceremonies, along with local foods, and music, spotlighted and showcased Fort Smith, its citizens, our history, culture, businesses, and beauty.
The photos shared here and on FSMH social media are images snapped by FSMH Executive Director, Caroline Speir and various people in attendance at the events, and show highlights of each day. The City of Fort Smith and many others will share more photos, videos, and documentation of the past week, which, in turn, the FSMH will share with our social media pages.
Enjoy! And, to learn more about the history between the two cities, please visit the Fort Smith Museum of History and visit the “Darby Room”, a gallery dedicated to General William O. Darby and “Darby’s Rangers”; and visit the current exhibition Celebrating 40 Years of "Gemellaggio"!, a temporary exhibition in the Boyd Gallery that focuses on the journey to becoming “Sister-Cities”. Celebrating 40 Years of "Gemellaggio"! runs through the spring 2025.
Here’s a recap of each day.
Day 1: Morning tours began at the USMM. President and CEO of the United States Marshals Museum, Ben Johnson greeted the delegation and presented each guest with a USMM Challenge coin, a coin that intrigued them--and that they were happy to receive. (Translators gave an explanation about challenge coins.) USMM Curator, Dave Kennedy toured the delegation though Fort Smith’s newest museum. Conversations revolved around the similarities between the US Marshals and the Carabinieri, the Military Police for the Italian Armed Forces. A favorite topic was also Fort Smith’s western history. Cisterna is home to the Italian cowboy, “il buttero”—it is noted on the city signs as you enter Cisterna. Our “western” history and their historical ties to the cowboy and horse as “one” is a shared commonality among both cities.
The USMM tour was followed by a “tea” at The Clayton House, hosted by Executive Director, Mila Masur and The Clayton House Board of Directors. A relaxing lunch, lively conversation, and new foods--a la American style—pimento cheese finger sandwiches—were the fun exchange. What exactly is pimento cheese? J Tours of the Clayton House and a tour of a locally organized small museum honoring Girl Scouts followed lunch. In Italy, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts are one and the same organization. It was intriguing to them to learn of the individual organizations in the U.S.
After an afternoon break, on Tuesday evening, The City of Fort Smith honored our distinguished guests at the beginning of the public, monthly Board of Director’s meeting. City Administrator, Carl Geffken, Mayor George McGill, and the City Board of Directors warmly greeted and acknowledged our sister city relationship and honored Vice Mayor, Dr. Maria Innamorato, former Mayor of Cisterna, Mr. Gianni Salis, and the entire Cisterna delegation. A public reception was held in their honor prior to the meeting. As well, official proclamations and a key to the City of Fort Smith were exchanged with the leadership of Cisterna.
The night was completed with a lovely dinner at Taliano’s. Former Mayor of Cisterna, Gianni Salis has visited Fort Smith five times since he initiated the initial “twinning” in 1984. Each visit has included a stop at Taliano’s. In Mr. Salis’ earlier visits to Fort Smith, a cousin to the late Tom Caldarera, former owner of Taliano’s, acted as the translator for the delegations. Over the years, Tom Caldarera served a taste of Fort Smith’s finest Italian food to the visiting guests. His son, Joe Caldarera continued the tradition on this visit. Dinner was a revisting of memories and an honor to the former visits.
Day 2: Coffee, a ride on FS city buses, and Fort Chaffee, Fort Smith’s WWII military fort began day two. Greeting the Italian delegation was Secretary of the Arkansas Department of Military and the 55th Adjutant General of Arkansas, Brigadier General Olen (Chad) Bridges, and Col. David Gibbons, Commander of the 142nd Field Artillery Brigade at Fort Chaffee. The military has their own challenge coins, a Military Coin of Excellence. Each member of the Italian delegation was proudly presented with their own Military Coin of Excellence as an honor to their visit and the Sister-city relationship. Housing officer, Russell C. Vanzant, with the Fort Chaffee Joint Maneuver Training Center continued the tours. Our guests were shown the grounds of Fort Chaffee, including the barracks, officers’ quarters, the chapel—still used for Sunday services when troops are training, and a painting of the early Fort at Fort Smith completed by soldiers in 1944. The 1944 artwork was painted directly onto the sheetrock in an early mess hall. Unable to salvage the painting without destroying it, it was scanned and printed for conservation purposes and is exhibited in an additional building at Fort Chaffee. We didn’t forget the fun-fact Elvis three-day processing into the Army story, the history of Fort Chaffee, or the fact the then-Col Darby was at Camp Chaffee on a visit home in 1944.
A brief stop at The Village at Heritage for some local shopping and coffee was a fun break before the hosted lunch and tour at ACHE. Through translators, President and CEO of ACHE, Kyle D. Parker, JD welcomed the delegation at lunch. Mr. Parker walked the guests through ACHE’s purpose and history as an impressive state-of-the-art medical facility in Fort Smith and a comprehensive tour by VP of Marketing and Communication for ACHE, Susan Devero completed a full morning!
Before we headed back downtown for a break, our guests were treated to a beautiful panoramic view of Fort Smith at the McClure Amphitheatre at Fort Chaffee. A quick stop on the street named, “General William O. Darby Landing”, gave them an opportunity for photos at “Cisterna Villa” a neighborhood in the Fort Chaffee area named in honor of Cisterna, Italy. Fort Smith has streets, a shopping center, neighborhoods, a park, and the city signs that honor the sister-city relationship.
Wednesday evening was the public opening of Celebrating 40 Years of "Gemellaggio"!, a temporary exhibition in the Boyd Gallery at the Fort Smith Museum of History that focuses on the journey to becoming “Sister-Cities”. The evening was a tribute to 40 years of the ‘twinning’ relationship as well as salute to the history and memory of General William O. Darby and the Rangers’ sacrifices during WWII. Speakers included FSMH Executive Director, Caroline Speir; Director of The Darby House and Retired U.S. Army Ranger, Ashley Moss; Immediate Past-President of the Fort Smith Museum of History Board of Trustees, Gary Hunt; Former Fort Smith Mayor, Sandy Sanders; Fort Smith Vice Mayor, Jarred Rego; Vice Mayor of Cisterna, Dr. Maria Innamorato; and a gracious video message by the Mayor of Cisterna, Valentino Mantini. The evening evoked an array of emotions toward the history and relationships of the cities. Former FS Mayor, Sandy Sanders honored his friend, former Cisterna Mayor, Gianni Salis with kind words of friendship and the mutual bonds the cities share. FS Vice Mayor Jarred Rego spoke eloquently about our sister-city relationship. On the lighter side of friendship, FSMH past president, Gary Hunt presented meaningful gifts to our friends from Italy. Gifts included framed and printed art cards of John Bell, Jr., City of Fort Smith flags, and fun souvenir gifts of sister-city mugs, t-shirts,--and to explain the “Razorback” mementos, we “called the hogs”. With a gracious act, the Miss Sebastian County Queens gifted a bouquet of roses to all of the women in the Italian delegation.
However, the moments that carried all in attendance to the heart of the sister-city relationship came from Mayor Mantini as he spoke from Cisterna via video and Vice Mayor, Dr. Maria Innamorato as she spoke at the podium. Mayor’s Mantini’s words were a reminder of the community we share in this history, the pride that brings, and the shared goals of the twin cities. Vice Mayor Innamorato honored Cisterna resident, Mr. Giovanni Filippi with the presentation of the Crest of Cisterna. Mr. Filippi’s emotional reaction caught our heart’s attention. The poignant speech delivered by Dr. Innamorato brought the full meaning of the shared history to the forefront. There were no dry eyes in the audience, but hearts were filled with pride.
A moving excerpt from the speech given by Vice Mayor of Cisterna, Dr. Maria Innamorato at the Fort Smith Museum of History during the opening exhibition Celebrating 40 Years of "Gemellaggio"! on 9/25/24 offers a summary of the mutual feelings of each city and the reason for our “twinning”.
“…The deep bond between these two sister cities is rooted in the years of World War II. Although the battle of May 23-25 eventually led to the liberation of Cisterna from the Nazi oppressor, the battle of the Rangers on January 29-30, 1944, in Isolabella has always been the most deeply felt by the local community.
The city of Cisterna will always be grateful to the town of Fort Smith, the hometown of General William Orlando Darby, commander of the battalions during the Battle of Cisterna. That battle cost many human lives—767 young Rangers lost their lives to liberate Cisterna—but from this painful event, bonds and cultural exchanges have grown that will never end.
Long live Fort Smith! Long live Cisterna! Long live the sister-city relationship!...”
Deputy Mayor Dr. Maria Innamorato
Heritage Tax Budget Councilor
Culture Equal Opportunities and Gender Difference
LGBT rights and combating discrimination
What an incredible day of experiences in Fort Smith. A scrumptious dinner at 21 West End—a local restaurant with its own historical Fort Smith story, and a toast to our guests, brought the evening to a close.
Day 3: Extra coffee and a circle back to Fort Smith’s western history greeted day three. Tours at the Fort Smith National Historic Site explained the history of Fort Smith’s most familiar story. An informative tour by NPS Park Ranger, Cody Faber walked our guests through the Fort’s history—and thus, Fort Smith’s early history. The delegation learned about the infamous “Hell on the Border” jail, Judge Parker’s era, the judicial process and the reason for the gallows. Extra bonus was a seat in the juror’s chairs and for Sara Salis, a quick opportunity to sit in the Judge’s chair! Hear ye, hear ye!
It was on to The Darby House, a childhood home of Billy Darby. One of the most moving aspects of this visit was the importance and memories it brought Mr. Salis to re-visit the house. He was in attendance in 1984 at this very home when it was dedicated. With Emory Dockery and representatives of Cisterna and The Darby Foundation, The Darby House opened to the public for the first time.
The Cisterna delegation moved on to Fort Smith’s beautiful mid-century art museum, RAM. Regional Art Museum (RAM) Executive Director, Michael Hall, Director of Development, Julie Moncrief, Digital Media Coordinator, Bridget Duncan, and RAM Board Member, Sandy Sanders joined our friends from Cisterna for a tour of their facility. Highlights were the blown glass sculptures of artist, Ed Pennebaker and the permanent collections. This visit brought about potential art exchanges between the cities!
Where’s lunch? Rolando’s and another cultural cuisine. Lunch also offered the opportunity to meet with residents of Fort Smith. FS ambassador Tammy Roper and local citizen Randy Burkert were able to say hello! Mr. Burkert even brought greetings from former FS Mayor, Bill Vines. Mr. Salis utilized video to say hello to his old friend. Unbeknownst to us all was the fact that this particular day was the 56th wedding anniversary of Gianni Salis & Rita Manieri! (A bit of cultural history, Italian women do not take the last name of their husbands upon marriage, but rather keep their maiden names.) A very happy toast went up immediately! Don’t think we forgot dessert—we didn’t—it was a fine end to every meal all week.
It just so happens there was a party planned at Packard Point on Thursday night. A local ranch dating back to almost the turn of the 20th century would be the spot for the evening’s entertainment. The photos show a splendid locale with a view that shows the true beauty of our local landscape. Music by Western Swing Rules—a music native to Fort Smith, BBQ by Neumeier’s, and an evening under the Arkansas/Oklahoma sky was the perfect setting to celebrate our sister-city’s delegation. Our local volunteers and reenactors stepped up with a western themed skit—all in good fun—and boy was it fun! Fort Smith Museum of History volunteers, Floyd “Sonny” & Sue Robison, aka, Judge & Mrs. Parker, Bill Word, Nancy Ahlert, Calvin Evans, Marcus Woodward Linda Word, and Susie Brooks performed an on-the-fly, good old-fashioned round up of a law-breaker. The “criminal”, Vice Mayor Innamorato’s husband, Mr. Mauro Carapellotti. His crime—riding horseback in the buff! Lots of laughs, lots of whoops, lots of hollers, and claps, and when his distraught “wife” Susie Brooks threw herself on the mercy of the court on behalf of her “husband”, the court backed down and let the audience be the jury. The verdict: Not guilty! And, Mr. Carapellotti has the certificate to prove it!
But wait, what about the anniversary? We did not forget. Unbeknownst to Gianni and Rita, we shared glasses of Prosecco among the crowd, gave a rousing toast to the happy couple, complete with applause, presented Rita with a lovely bouquet of fall flowers, and the band played a special song for their 56th wedding anniversary and their first dance with their sister-city attending. What an incredible honor for Fort Smith to be present at such an auspicious moment and for them to share a monumental day with us all. What a night.
Day 4: How do you top a day like yesterday? You step back into purpose. The last day of the visit was to honor the man himself, General William O. Darby and the sacrifices of his unit, “Darby’s Rangers”. Friday morning began with a symbolic ribbon cutting ceremony honoring the future expansion of Cisterna Park. After the scissors were laid aside, a formal wreath laying ceremony honored General Darby and his unit. Speakers were FSMH Executive Director, Caroline Speir, Retired U. S. Army Ranger, Joe Armstrong, Veteran and Fort Smith Chief of Police, Chief Danny Baker, Vietnam Veteran and Mayor of Fort Smith, George McGill, and Vice Mayor of Cisterna, Dr. Maria Innamorato. Assisting the wreath laying ceremony were the Northside JROTC, Director of The Darby House and Retired U.S. Army Ranger, Ashley Moss, and playing TAPS, was a Retired U.S. Army Ranger from OKC, OK, Carlie Bridgers. Special attention and honor was given to the sacrifices of “Darby’s Rangers”; the unit sustained a huge loss of life and/or were taken as POWs during the Battle of Cisterna in January 1944. General William O. Darby was KIA in April 1945 in Nago-Torbole, Italy.
Mayor McGill recognized the lasting bonds between Fort Smith, AR and Cisterna di Latina, Italy because of these unbreakable ties. Vice Mayor Innamorato echoed the same strong emotions.
Both Vice Mayor Innamorato and Mr. Salis participated in formal interviews for a forthcoming short film project about the ‘twinning’ of the last 40 years. Interviews were conducted by Dr. Brandon Chase Goldsmith who was accompanied by Ms. Sara Salis and Ms. Sylvia Carapellotti. Sara is the granddaughter of Mr. Gianni Salis and Syliva, the daughter of Vice Mayor Innamorato, acted as translators for the interviews. Grant Thomas, owner of Sol Studios is producing the work, which will be available in the spring of 2025.
A final remembrance on Friday was an informal visit to General Darby’s grave accompanied by several retired U.S. Army Rangers.
After such a memorable morning, Darby Middle School was a must. Darby Middle School principal and retired U.S. Army Ranger, Mr. Jason Meharg toured the group, showing them “old Darby”—Fort Smith’s first high school and the one once called, “The Castle”. The delegation was able to walk the same halls as Bill Darby, to stand in the same auditorium where the ornate 1914 fire curtain depicting the Queen of Sheba’s visit to King Solomon’s palace would have risen on shows Darby performed in, and to see the remains of the high school he once attended where he planned his future, was a fitting end honoring a young man from Fort Smith who went on to impact the world.
AJ’s took care of the delegation for lunch. Seafood, oysters, or regional cuisine with strawberry lemonade, and dessert. Need there be more?
The final evening welcomed international music and relaxation Fort Smith style--by the waters of the Arkansas River. The Levitt Amp Concert Series scribed a “benvenuti” message to the Cisterna delegation as they entered. Guests took in the sunset and closed out an extraordinary week.
One last good-bye and a big thank you to the FSPD who escorted the Cisterna delegation to the FS Regional Airport with lights and sirens. It tickled them and closed out a week of indelible memories.
________________________________________________________________________
It took a village and community to provide such an extraordinary experience for the visiting delegation. To those that donated, waived admission fees, provided their time, their staff, their board of directors and volunteers, offered special visits of their organizations, businesses, and buildings, and worked to offer an exceptional experience to the delegation from Cisterna di Latina, Italy, Thank you, grazie mille! Thank you: The City of Fort Smith, Arvest, First National Bank, Fort Smith Museum of History staff and Board of Trustees, The Clayton House staff and Board of Directors, The Darby House, Fort Smith Police Department, Fort Smith A&P Convention and Visitors Bureau, Fort Smith City Board of Directors, Breeden Dodge, Fort Smith City Transit, Fort Smith Parks and Rec, USMM, Fort Smith National Historic Site, Taliano’s, Fort Chaffee/Fort Chaffee Readiness Training Facility, ACHE, RAM, Packard Point, FSMH Volunteers, Darby Middle School, Miss Laura’s, Levitt Amp Concert Series, Miss Sebastian County Fair Queen(s), Arkansas Democrat Gazette, and Francesco Tarelli.
A special thank you to the individuals who worked in collaboration and support to host the delegation from our sister-city: FS City Administrator, Carl Geffken; FS Mayor, George McGill; Executive Assistant to the Mayor, Jennifer Petrovich; Executive Assistant Adm, Jessica Underwood; Public Relations Manager, Josh Buchfink; Chief of Police, Chief Danny Baker; former FS Mayor, Sandy Sanders and Dr. Sandi Sanders, Retired U.S. Army Rangers, Joe Armstrong and Ashley Moss; FS Transit Authority, Greg Cauthorn, and Karen Lewis for the design and donation of the wreath laid at General Darby's statue and grave.
An exceptional thank you to Ms. Sara Salis and Ms. Syliva Carapellotti who patiently carried out the translating duties for all of us. Their translations from English to Italian and Italian to English were exemplary. Thank you both for your kindness, patience, positivity, and enduring assistance. We send hope that you get plenty of rest upon your return!
Merch and souvenirs: Fort Smith Museum of History, King & Co, 64.6 Downtown/Main Street Fort Smith, The Unexpected, Kathy Watson, Fort Smith A&P Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Lastly, but not least, a grand thank you to Caroline Speir and Mila Masur. Caroline Speir is the Executive Director of the Fort Smith Museum of History. In her role as FSMH Director and on behalf of the City of Fort Smith as an Ambassador, she has worked to organize and host the delegation from Cisterna di Latina. Mila Masur is the Executive Director of The Clayton House. Mila, on behalf of the City of Fort Smith as an Ambassador has also worked to organize and host the delegation from Cisterna di Latina. Together, the women co-chaired the 2024 Sister-City Committees that created meaningful experiences for our friends from our sister-city of Cisterna di Latina, Italy and organized events that honored and remembered General William O. Darby, “Darby’s Rangers”, and the 40th anniversary of the 'twinning' of Cisterna, Italy and Fort Smith Arkansas.
Comments