Ministero della Difesa

"The 8th of September has assumed great significance for our nation, as on this day the Armistice was signed, originating various dramatic as well as exciting, events that would mark Italy's path towards reconquering freedom and saluting democracy", Defence Minister  Lorenzo Guerini said in his speech at the celebrations for the 76^th anniversary of the Defence of Rome. The ceremony took place in the presence of the, President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella.

The head of State laid a wreath at the Monument in memory of the Fallen- Italians and foreigners, civilian and military- for the Defence of Rome.

Subsequently, a wreath was also laid at the Memorial for the 87,000 military who made the extreme sacrifice during the Liberation War.

"Year after year we feel the need, rather than the duty, to come to Porta San Paolo to remember the beginning of the Resistance. This is the place where the representatives of our Institutions, veterans, military associations and citizens come because Porta San Paolo is part of the collective memory of all Italians", the minister said, recalling all the military and civilians who "united  under the Tricolor to carry out the sacred duty to defend the Homeland".

"Thanks to their sacrifice today we live in a free and democratic country. We are here to tell the Fallen at Porta San Paolo that they are still in our memory, that their sacrifice was not in vain, and, above all, that we have not forgotten the reason why they paid such a high price".  

In his speech, the Minister recalled the commitment of the Italian soldiers "who continue to defend the inalienable values: freedom, equality, social justice and solidarity that are the foundation of our Constitution".

Our military serve the Country and the international Community, operate in the name of freedoms, a universal value, and to defend the rights of the most vulnerable and those who suffer, while defending our security".  

"That's what it means to be Italian today: building on the heritage of our ancestors, of those who showed us the way, who founded our Republic and worded our Constitution". We must be proud of our past, while we continue to build our future", the Minister concluded.

The ceremony was attended, among others, by the Chief of Defence Staff,  A.F. Gen. Enzo Vecciarelli; Rome mayor Virginia Raggi; Rome Prefect, Gerarda Pantalone; Regional Councillor Gianpaolo Manzella on behalf of the President of Regione Lazio;  Deputy President of the National Association of Liberation War Veterans,  Gen. (aux.) Antonio Li Gobbi; representatives of  military and Armed Corps associations and a considerable number of citizens.