(by Massimiliano D'Elia) Those who do not live them every day cannot understand them. The Armed Forces are the synthesis of a country's capabilities and living them every day, in service, is a unique privilege.
On November 4th, National Unity Day and Armed Forces Day are celebrated.
The 4 November 1918 entered into force the armistice signed at Villa Giusti (Padua) with the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
Gen. Armando Diaz, commander in chief of the Italian Armed Forces, in the Victory Bulletin announced to the Italians "The war against Austria-Hungary that the Italian Army, smaller in number and means, began on May 24, 1915 and with unshakable faith and tenacious valor conducted uninterrupted and very bitter for 41 months, it is won (...)
The remains of what was once one of the most powerful armies in the world, the valleys that had come down with proud confidence (...) "rise in disorder and without hope".
Trento and Trieste were reunited with Italy: Cesare Battisti, Fabio Filzi, Nazario Sauro saw their dream and that of the Italian populations of the “irredent” lands fulfilled.
Italy's territorial, political and institutional unification had been fully realized.
The price paid for the unification of Italy cost 600 thousand deaths among the young Italian soldiers.
Today's armed forces have impressed in their DNA that sacrifice and that of many other young people who lost their lives in the field until yesterday. Yes, because wearing a uniform does not mean having just one job but it means something more noble: "to be able to serve one's homeland to the extreme sacrifice".
They are not phrases already made, but they are the observation that even today's soldier has the same air and daring of those young boys who unified Italy. There are many stories that come from operating theaters abroad where our kids have never pulled back, many have lost their lives, many others have returned with the awareness of having done a "great" job for their country. The Army, the Navy, the Air Force and the Carabinieri form a single, “formidable” force that sparks operations from all pores. The demonstrations of appreciation are extended to the Italian commanders by the foreign, American and British commanders in the lead. "The Italian approach " has become a "must"Among the allies. It is the unique "Italian" ability to be able to interact with the civilian populations of the territories tormented by wars.
The continuous training of the departments in Italy and the transformation into a professional army has been the key to success combined with the continuous research to equip the staff with the best available skills, despite the resources assigned to the ministry.
Today's military is a professional with a capital "P". He speaks at least one foreign language, he leaves the training institutes with a degree and has many missions abroad in difficult and dangerous environments. In short, he is the highest expression of Italianness that defends his country, with a very high level of sacrifice.
The celebrations will start from Rome with the deposition of a laurel wreath at the Sacello del The Unknown Soldier to the Altar of the Fatherland by the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, accompanied by the Minister Elisabetta Trenta, from the highest offices of the State and from the Chief of Staff of Defense, General Claudio Graziano.
To award the honors to the Head of State, an inter-force training Brigade deployed in Piazza Venezia. There will also be the traditional passage of the Frecce Tricolori which will color the skies of Rome green, white and red and the flight of five helicopters of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Carabinieri and Guardia di Finanza.
Following this, the deposition of a laurel wreath by the Head of State al Shrine of Redipuglia.
Al Military Shrine of the Overseas Fallen of Bari the President of the Senate, Maria Elisabetta Alberti Casellati, representing the President of the Republic, will depose a laurel wreath in honor of all the fallen.
Heart of the day will be the demonstration in Trieste, characterized by several moments that will recall some significant events of the end of the First World War: the entry of Italian troops in Trieste and the overflying of an aircraft of the time. The program also includes the launch of a team of military paratroopers with the Tricolore banner and the presence of two naval units of the Navy. The signing of the Frecce Tricolori will close the event.
To commemorate the "Day of National Unity" and "Day of the Armed Forces", many initiatives have been organized to which Minister Trenta has launched last 18 October in Ostia, meeting 450 students to whom he explained the significance of the anniversary.