Festa del 2 giugno: Mattarella Pays Homage to Unknown Soldier on Republic Day
The prime minister Sergio Mattarella, on the occasion of the Republic Day celebrations, paid homage to the Altare della Patria by placing a laurel wreath to the Unknown Soldier. A moment celebrated by the passage of the Frecce Tricolori. After leaving the square aboard the presidential Lancia Flaminia, the President of the Republic reached the Baths of Caracalla where he reviewed the departments that will participate in the parade in via dei Fori imperiali. Meanwhile, as per tradition, a gigantic tricolor was unfurled over the Colosseum, at the beginning of via dei Fori imperiali. Present at the ceremony in Piazza Venezia were Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, the presidents of the Senate and Chamber Ignazio La Russa and Lorenzo Fontana, as well as the Minister of Defense, Guido Crosetto, and the Chief of Staff Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone.
Mattarella’s Message to the Chief of Staff
On the occasion of Republic Day, Mattarella sent a message to the Chief of Defense Staff, Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, underlining the importance of the Italian contribution to international peace and stability. “Our contribution – and in it the Armed Forces – to the cause of international peace and stability is more precious than ever in today’s situation characterized by devastation and aggression against civilian populations in Europe and the Middle East,” declared Mattarella.
The president expressed the Republic’s gratitude towards the Armed Forces for their commitment in international operational theaters. “The Republic is grateful to the women and men of the Armed Forces for the tasks carried out in the demanding operational theaters where they are called to operate, within the framework of the United Nations missions, those resulting from solidarity between the countries of the Atlantic Alliance, decisions to which we contributed within the European Union”, he added.
Mattarella recalled the vision of the Fathers of the Fatherland, aware of the risks of national closure, who dreamed of an Italy open to Europe and in solidarity with the people fighting for freedom. “The Fathers of the Fatherland were aware of the risks and limits of closure in national contexts and dreamed of an Italy open to Europe, close to the peoples who were fighting for their freedoms everywhere in the world,” wrote the president.
Finally, he underlined the importance of defending the gains of independence and freedom on a daily basis, through cooperation based on common intentions. “Independence and freedom are achievements that must be defended every day, in communion of intent and with the ability to cooperate for the common good,” concluded Mattarella.
