"The names of the many fallen that we commemorate today, faithful and brave interpreters of our commitment to the service of the community, will always be imprinted in our memory. We all pay tribute to our deep gratitude". These are the words used by the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, in the message sent to the Minister of Defense, Roberta Pinotti, on the occasion of the Day for the remembrance of military and civilian fallen in peace missions.
"In the celebration of the day dedicated to the remembrance of the military and civilian fallen in international missions for peace - writes the head of state -, I address my respectful and moving thoughts to all those who have lost their lives engaged in the pacification of crisis areas, for to defeat transnational and radical terrorism, to give the oppressed populations the hope of a better future. The military and civilians who operate with professionalism and great generosity in the most troubled regions of the world, from Africa to the Middle East, from Afghanistan to Iraq - this year marks the 14th anniversary of the Nassiriya massacre - are the symbol of a commitment strong to protect the common good, the affirmation of mutual respect and human rights, values on which our Constitutional Charter is based".
"The names of the many fallen that we commemorate today, faithful and courageous interpreters of our commitment to the service of the community - underlines Mattarella -, will always remain etched in our memory. We pay our deep gratitude to all of them. With these feelings, I hug myself affectionately close, together with the whole country, to the relatives of the fallen and I participate in their deep sorrow.".
The Armed Forces commemorated the "Memorial Day of the Fallen in International Missions for Peace", in memory of civilians and fallen soldiers in defense of peace in the world. The date chosen for this occurrence is not casual: the 12 November of 2003, the Italian military contingent in Nassiriya, Iraq, was the target of a terrible terrorist attack on the "Maestral" base of the Carabinieri. In the attack, 29 people lost their lives, including 19 Italians: 12 Carabinieri, Army 5 Army and 2 civilians.
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