The usual ceremony for National Unity and Armed Forces Day took place this morning at the Altare della Patria. The President of the Republic Mattarella, like every year, placed a laurel wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Also present were the Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, the Minister of Defense Guido Crosetto and the presidents of the Senate and the Chamber Ignazio La Russa and Lorenzo Fontana.
Mattarella, in a message to Minister Crosetto on the occasion of the anniversary, observed that the "commitment" of the armed forces, "their daily work are precious to counter any external intent aimed against the community to which we belong and to affirm respect for international law".
"To the traditional conflicts, which continue to bloodied large areas of the world, including Europe, are added widespread disinformation, competition in space, the cybernetic dimension, the pervasive use of artificial intelligence and autonomous systems, domains in which acts of aggression are today in worrying and progressive expansion", recalled Mattarella.
According to the head of state, this "is a scenario that requires profound capacity for renewal, in rapidly integrating new technologies and in guaranteeing concrete capabilities for future challenges".
"On this day, the deferential homage of the Italian people goes to those who sacrificed their lives for Italy, giving us a legacy of freedom and unity that we celebrate with renewed awareness and, today, we turn our thoughts with particular intensity and condolences to our soldiers who lost their lives in recent days in Bosnia-Herzegovina", Mattarella wrote again.
"Today, a particularly complex historical phase sees the Armed Forces projected at an international level to ensure, as part of the international community's initiatives, peace where it is compromised and to preside, together with allied countries, critical areas for the security and prosperity of our country", observes the head of state.
"It is a scenario that requires profound capacity for renewal, in rapidly integrating new technologies and in guaranteeing concrete capabilities for future challenges. In this sense, the launch of a common European defense, complementary to the Atlantic Alliance, appears urgent - added Mattarella".
"In the year in which the eightieth anniversary of the free choice of the Italian people for the Republic occurs, the celebration of National Unity and Armed Forces Day takes on a particular meaning", observes the President of the Republic. "A deep bond of trust and gratitude unites the Army, Navy, Air Force, Carabinieri and Guardia di Finanza with the national community, of which they are an integral part".
"The oath of loyalty of the Armed Forces to the Republic is nourished by the values of its Constitution, a heritage of principles preserved so that the relationship with successive generations in the life of the country is able to unite the memory of the past with the hope for the future of the community, and the atrocities experienced in the world wars do not repeat themselves", added Mattarella.
"First of all, let us celebrate the fulfillment of the Risorgimento dream of the unity of our homeland, independent and free, and the path which, with the liberation struggle, was able to conquer freedom and democracy for our people and an authoritative role for Italy, with the policy of peace and international cooperation pursued by the Republic", wrote the head of state in his message to the Minister of Defence.
"November 4 is the day in which Italy honors its history, its unity and all those who have chosen to serve their homeland, even at the cost of their own lives. Behind every uniform there are women and men who have made a precise choice: to put the good of the nation before their own, taking on responsibilities, making sacrifices and, when necessary, risking their lives", Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni wrote in X.
"In recent days, the pain of the loss of our four soldiers in Bosnia has reminded us, once again, how high the price of this choice can be. And how important it is to never take the courage of those who serve Italy for granted", added the Prime Minister.
"Today our thoughts go to them, to all our fallen and to the families who carry in their hearts the weight of an absence that no words will be able to fill - concluded Meloni - A nation is truly such when it knows how to recognize the value of those who defended it, cherish their memory and pass on to the new generations the pride of belonging to it. Our gratitude goes to all the women and men of the Armed Forces, who serve Italy every day with dedication and courage. Honor to our fallen. Long live the Armed Forces. Long live Italy".
