Photo gallery: Italian Embassy hosts wounded U.S. servicemembers

(Click here to read the story about the dinner at the Italian Embassy.)

The Italian Embassy in Washington, D.C., is ready for the dinner for wounded U.S. servicemembers on Friday, May 19, 2006.

Italian Ambassador to the U.S. Gianni Castellaneta and his wife, Lila, greet a guest.

Ambassador and Mrs. Castellaneta welcome U.S. Marine Cpl. Eric Hall of Louisville, Ky., and Evelena Stratton of Bremerton, Wa.

Italian Brig. Gen. Paolo Serra talks with American servicemembers before the dinner.

Sgt. Paul Statzer, left, of Butler, Pa., and his dad, Jim, chat with Italian Lt. Col. Toscani De Col.

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. John Borders of Fort Riley, Kan., meets Italian Air Force Maj. Gen. Pasquale Preziosa.

Army Spec. Michael Stanley of Hazleton, Pa., and April Payne of Franklin, Tenn., display an Italian-American friendship pin given to guests at Friday night's dinner,

Guests wait for the start of Friday night's dinner for wounded U.S. servicemembers at the Italian Embassy in Washington.

A view from the second-floor balcony as guests help themselves to the buffet.

Guests sample the buffet.

Spec. Rob Lliteras of Tampa, Fla., digs into the buffet.

Italian Embassy chef Roberto Grazioli.

Ambassador and Mrs. Castellanetatalk with Sgt. Neil Duncan, right, of Minneapolis, Minn., and Spec. Rob Lliteras of Tampa, Fla., after dinner.

Lila Castellaneta, talks with Sgt. Neil Duncan, left, and Spec. Rob Lliteras of Tampa, Fla.

Sgt. 1st Class Antonio Giuliano of Florida, a singer with the U.S. Army Chorus, "Pershing's Own," entertains the guests at the Italian Embassy dinner.

Sfc. Antonio Giulianosings for guests (left to right) Cpl. Robert Bartlett of Arizona and Sgt. Paul Statzer and Jim Statzer of Butler, Pa.

Sfc. Antonio Giuliano serenades one-month-old Marshall Valle, son of Blanca and Army Sgt. Christian Valle of California.

Marshall Valle's parents, Blanca and Army Sgt. Christian, listen as their infant son, Marshall, gets some special attention.

Providing the musical entertainment were Sfc. Antonio Giuliano, pianist MSgt. Joseph Holt and Tony Nalker.

Two guests leave Friday night's dinner.

World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz, a regular visitor to the "Steak Night" events at Fran O'Brien's during his tenure at the Department of Defense, talks with a guest after the dinner at the Italian Embassy.