St. Michael Friday, September 25, 2009 A gift from General
Armando Diaz, commander of Italian forces in the First World
War. Presented at The American Legion's 3rd Annual National
Convention in Kansas City. Inscription reads: A LA LEGIONE
AMERICANA ED AI SUOI UFFICIALI E MEMBRI CHE HANNO COMBATTUTO CON
VALORE SUI SANGUINOSI CAMPI DI BATTAGLIA DELLA GRANDE GUERRA A
FIANCO DEI SOLDATI DÃ, ITALIA CON MEMORE AFFETO DI CAMERATA IL
GENERALE DIAZ ROMA OTTOBRE 1921 "To The American Legion and to
its officials and members, who fought with valor on the bloody
battlefields of the Great War at the side of the soldiers of
Italy. With affectionate memory of comradeship. General Diaz,
Rome, October 1921" The statue portrays St. Michael, the
archangel, sheathing his sword. The image is a portrayal of an
event in 590 AD when the city of Rome was afflicted by plague.
Pope Gregory the Great led a procession to pray for the end of
the plague. At the end of the procession, the Pope witnessed St.
Michael appearing on the top of Ha