MESSINA – The presentation conference of the second provincial meeting of the National Bersaglieri Association took place this morning in the headquarters of the Aosta Brigade. Participants included, among others: the deputy mayor and councilor with delegation to the Armed Forces Salvatore Mondello, the councilor for Culture and Tourism Enzo Caruso, general Maurizio Taffuri, the regional president of the Anb Salvatore Aurelio Tosto and the provincial president Giovanni Saglimbeni.
An authentic “invasion” of “feathered hats” is expected on the banks of the Strait, on the occasion of the event which will take place on Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 June in Messina, which falls on the centenary of the birth of the Anb and is aimed at promoting and to the valorization of the traditions of the glorious Special Corps of the Italian Army.
In light of the great success achieved on the occasion of the first gathering held on 22 and 23 April last year in Taormina, a massive participation of Bersaglieri, supporters and the public is expected around those Fanfares who with their music will bring out emotions and moments of joy even in the “heart” of our city.
The two-day program
The event will open on Saturday 29th at 9.30 am with the gathering in Piazza Unione Europea, the raising of the flag and the laying of a laurel wreath at the Monument to the Fallen of all the Wars, with the presence of the Military Band of the Aosta Brigade . At 11 am, in the Church of Sant’Elia, the Military Chaplain of the Aosta Brigade, Don Simone Marani, will officiate the Holy Mass which will end with the blessing of the Banner of the ANB Section of Messina “Vincenzo Bagnara”. Established in June 2023, this is named after the Bersagliere of the 18th Regiment who, originally from Santo Stefano Briga (he was born on 21 January 1898), died at just 20 years old, on 1 April 1918, following the injuries sustained in the defense of the Piave line during the First World War. The name of Vincenzo Bagnara is among other things engraved, with those of other “sopranos”, in the Monument in memory of the Fallen located in Piazza Roma.
Sunday 30th will open at 10.30 am with the massing in Piazza Cairoli of the Bersaglieri of the Anb Sections of Sicily and Calabria. From here, at 11 am, the procession will parade along Via Garibaldi, up to Piazza Unione Europea, preceded by the EI Sixth Bersaglieri Regiment Fanfare “Palestro” of Trapani and the Anb Fanfare “MOVM Magg. G. La Rosa” of Castroreale-Barcellona Pozzo of Gotto. At 11.30 there will be greetings to the participants of the Gathering and the performance of the Fanfares in the presence of the Civil, Religious, Military, Combat and Arms Authorities with their banners and banners. This will be followed at 12.30 by the handover of the National Banner of the Centenary of the foundation of the National Bersaglieri Association from the President of the Anb Region of Calabria to the President of the Anb Region of Sicily. This ceremony will conclude the program of the Second Provincial Gathering, before the flag is lowered at 5pm.
To adequately remember the event, from 9 am to 2 pm on Sunday, in Piazza Unione Europea, a stand will be set up by the Circolo Filatelico Peloritano and Poste Italiane, which will be equipped with a special figured postmark and commemorative postcard.
