Italian firefighters cross Iowa

More than a dozen firefighters from Italy are making their way across Iowa today. The group of 14 firefighters from Rome will have dinner at a firehouse in Des Moines, where Assistant Chief Jim Mason says it’s a “brotherhood” sort of gesture whenever visiting firefighters are in town.Mason says he wanted the Italians to make him an authentic meal, but he opted instead to whip up several Midwestern dishes instead for the guests.The Italians are headed for New York City where an international memorial is planned this weekend honoring firefighters killed in the September 11th attacks.