Afghanistan, September 17, 2009 and 2010 – September 17, 2026: the duty of memory

Seventeen years have passed since that terrible September 17, 2009, when a suicide attack during the ISAF mission in Afghanistan claimed the lives of six Paratroopers from the Folgore Brigade.

In a few moments, on a street in Kabul, thousands of kilometers from their homeland, Italy lost six valiant men:

• Lieutenant Antonio Fortunato
• Sergeant Major Roberto Valente
• First Corporals Major Massimiliano Randino, Davide Ricchiuto, and Matteo Mureddu
• First Corporal Major Gian Domenico Pistonami

A year later, exactly on September 17, 2010, Lieutenant Paratrooper Incursor Alessandro Romani fell, serving in the 9th Paratroopers Assault Regiment “Col Moschin” and employed in Task Force 45. During an operation aimed at capturing Afghan terrorists, identified by a UAV Predator while placing a device under a road bridge, he met his death, fulfilling his duty to the very end.

Two different events, but united by the courage and dedication of our military.
The memory of the Fallen of September 17, 2009 and of Lieutenant Alessandro Romani, a year later, does not belong only to historical memory, but to the eternal values they embodied: courage, dedication, and spirit of service.

Our soldiers, as always in their history, have not stopped. They continued to carry out their mission with the same determination as always: bent, yes, but never broken. From El Alamein to the dusty streets of Mogadishu, to the international theaters where Italy has asked its military to be present, they have always risen, honoring their Fallen without ever being scarred in spirit.

Today, September 17, 2026, the memory of those young Men calls us to a precise commitment: not to forget. Not only on national days of mourning or anniversaries, but every day, with the silent respect owed to those who gave everything without asking for anything in return.

The memory of the Fallen does not belong only to their families and comrades: it is the heritage of the entire Country.

Because those who fall for the Homeland must never be forgotten. Never.