81st Anniversary of the Defence of Rome

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Today the celebrations for the 81st Anniversary of the Defence of Rome have taken place at Porta San Paolo and Parco della Resistenza, in the presence of President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, and Defence Minister Guido Crosetto.

The ceremony opened with President Mattarella laying a wreath at the Memorial of the Fallen in the Defence of Rome, at Porta San Paolo. Then, at Parco della Resistenza, the Head of State laid a wreath at the Memorial of the 87,000 Fallen of the War of Liberation.

“In a world characterized by new conflicts, only unity will allow us to defend our values and ensure peace. The latter is often rooted in tragedy, hardship, wars. However, it is exactly at that point that we start to lay the foundations of our States”.

Thus Defence Minister Guido Crosetto in his speech, delivered in the presence of a number of civilian, military and religious authorities.

“Our freedom and democracy – he added- are the product of the decisions made by the Heroes of the Republic back then, when they defended Italy proudly and honourably. It is our duty to recall their sacrifice in order to prevent it from vanishing into indifference”.

“Today we enjoy the shadow of trees that were planted 81 years ago by men and women who fought for our freedom, paying the price with their lives. Planting new trees is now our duty – he explained- to allow future generations to enjoy their shadow, We do that because we recognize the existance of greater values: our Republic, our Homeland”.

The ceremony was attended by President of Latium Region, Francesco Rocco; Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri; Chief of Army Staff Gen. Carmine Masiello; Commander General- Carabinieri Corps Teo Luzi; Commander General- Customs Police Andrea De Gennaro; Secretary General/National Director of Armaments Luciano Portolano; President of the National Association of Regular National Armed Forces Combatants in the War of Liberation, Gen. Enrico Pino, representatives of the Combatants and Armed Forces Associations. A crowd of citizens also attended, to testify how strong is the memory of those times in our collective memory.