Fedelta. Soldier. Prisoner | Premier at The Capitol Theatre, Chambersburg
Friday September 6th, 2024 * 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Franklin County Visitors Bureau is excited to highlight the world premiere of “Fedeltà. Soldier. Prisoner,” a documentary by Stephen Mancini relating the experiences of Italian Prisoners of War, kept at Letterkenny Army Depot in Chambersburg, PA, during World War II.
The Franklin County Historic Letterkenny Chapel Committee is pleased to invite the public to a free showing at the Capitol Theatre in downtown Chambersburg on September 6, 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM.
The documentary chronicles an inspirational story of men at war, their capture, their repatriations, and their discovery of friendship in southcentral Pennsylvania.
These men were captured as prisoners of war and then swore allegiance to America.
Letterkenny Depot housed 1250 of these men in a service unit, later formed as the 321st Quartermaster Battalion.
They spent seventeen months at Letterkenny Depot until returning to Italy in October 1945 after an international agreement was reached.
The documentary uses original archival documents and footage from the US Army, the families, and others associated with Italian Service Units to tell their story.
Since 2015, as the Franklin County Historic Letterkenny Chapel Committee formed and the Franklin County 11/30 Memorial & Veterans Trail came into being, the connection to the history of the Italian POWs and their families grew.
In addition to the premiere of the documentary, the Franklin County Visitors Bureau is showcasing the Letterkenny Italian POW story in the lobby of the 11/30 Visitors Center.
The exhibit opens September 6th and is available to view until November 11th, 2024.
Preview the trailer here.