Paratroopers of the Folgore and Special Forces at the ceremony for the 163rd anniversary of the Italian Army

This morning, at the Military Hippodrome “Gen. C.A. Pietro Giannattasio" in Tor di Quinto, the military ceremony for the 163rd anniversary of the establishment of the Italian Army took place, in the presence of the Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, the Minister of Defense, Hon. Guido Crosetto, the Undersecretary of State for Defense, Sen. Isabella Rauti, the Chief of Staff of the Army, General of the Army Corps Paratrooper Carmine Masiello and other civil, military, and religious authorities.

Prior to today's ceremony, a mass was celebrated yesterday at the church of Santa Caterina da Siena in Magnanapoli, in commemoration of all the fallen, officiated by the Episcopal Vicar for the Army, while this morning a laurel wreath was laid at the Shrine of the Fallen, in the honor courtyard of the Army Palace.

Representing all the weapons and specialties of the Army, a formation Brigade was deployed at the Military Hippodrome of Tor di Quinto, composed of companies in historical uniform, symbolizing the founding values of the Army, and representations of units daily in training for the fulfillment of institutional tasks. Also present were contingents of regiments with a high level of specialization capable of operating in high-intensity and multi-domain contexts, where technology and training are fundamental. The ceremony was marked by the notes of the Army Band.

The Minister of Defense emphasized “You are not heroes, you are ordinary people who wear the uniform with honor every day, representing and defending the State, the Republic, and the democratic Institutions. You must remember this, and be proud of it, as must everyone, not only today, but also when they see you operating in a station, among the people, in peace, stability, and security operations in Italy or abroad. It is necessary that everyone always remembers to thank you for everything you do in service of the Country”.

During his speech, the Chief of Staff of the Army highlighted: “in situations like the current one, the central theme is that security is expressed in having an Army equipped for a range of scenarios – from conventional conflicts to new frontiers of confrontation, such as space, cyber, disinformation –, in synergy with sister Armed Forces and in harmony with other State articulations and all national and international actors involved in various capacities. Therefore, a true cultural change is necessary across the board, in which innovation becomes the vital activity of the Army. But if technology can reach everywhere - continued General of the Army Corps Carmine Masiello - it is in the human resource that the true value is found. We must continue to look affectionately at our soldiers, taking care of them and their families, preparing them for the worst moments. Values are the essence of our duty, to be offered without prejudice, differences, and compromises, always in the name and for the affirmation of the fundamental goods of peace, justice, and freedom”, concluded the Chief of Staff of the Army.

Subsequently, in front of the Army's War Flag and all the deployed units, the Silver Cross of Merit of the Army was awarded to the 21st Artillery Regiment “Trieste”, as well as six honors to personnel distinguished for particular acts of valor, during operations in Italy and abroad.

Following this, the launch of the tricolor and a flag with the Army's logo by the paratroopers of the sports activities department of the Folgore Paratroopers Brigade and a demonstration of capabilities carried out by various highly specialized components of the Army. The demonstration also involved two Eurofighter aircraft of the Air Force engaged in simulating close air support guided from the ground by operators of the Army Special Forces.

The celebrations concluded with the traditional cavalry charge of the "Lancieri di Montebello", before the final honors to the Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, marked by the Music of the Ordinance of the 1st Regiment Grenadiers of Sardinia.

On May 2 and 3, the “Army Village” was set up at the Hippodrome of Tor di Quinto, an area where citizens could get closer to the world with the “stars” by engaging in activities such as the military fitness course, climbing on an artificial rock wall, the biathlon simulator, a virtual training station, and other shooting, flight, and driving simulation systems as well as horseback activities, all to the rhythm of Radio Army music.