This morning, at Sant’Eufemia d’Aspromonte (RC), was commemorated on Chief Marshal Pasquale AzzolinaBronze Medal al Military Valor “to memory”.
Also this year theCarabinieri he felt a strong duty to remember with a moment of contemplation the memory of his comrade who lost his life in the performance of his duty. A indelible memory, a constant example in the life of every policeman, a harbinger of indications precisely at this moment in the life of the country in which the service rendered to others is more felt than ever. In addition to the family members, the highest civil, military, religious and judicial authorities of the province participated in the commemoration ceremony, in whose presence, at the tombstone in the locality “Crasta Bridge” of Sant’Eufemia d’Aspromonte, a laurel wreath was placed, in memory of the military massacre which occurred on 17 June 1996. Following this, the Holy Mass was celebrated officiated by the military chaplain Don Aldo RIPEPI and the Parish Priest Don Marco LAROSA , at the Church of Sant’Ambrogio.
Re-enactment of the historical fact
On June 17, 1996, at around 11pm, the soldier on duty at the Sant’Eufemia barracks, who had stayed to compile some documents, received an anonymous phone call reporting the presence of suspicious individuals near a motorbike-bee in the “Ponte Crasta” area. The soldier immediately represented the facts to the station commander, Marshal Azzolina, who without hesitation, with the service car and in uniform went, together with the latter, to the indicated location. Having arrived in the locality of “Ponte Crasta”, the soldiers noticed two young local brothers, known to them, intent on dismantling parts of the engine of the Ape motorbike, abandoned following a road accident the previous day. At the sight of the police, the two brothers hid some tools inside their car parked nearby. When proceeding to check the two young people, Marshal Azzolina, who had known them well since they were boys, noted the presence of engine parts inside the car, so he invited the two brothers to follow him to the barracks and get on board the ‘military vehicle. The non-commissioned officer’s invitation was accepted by his younger brother, while
triggered the reaction of the older one, who suddenly pulled out one beretta pistol cal.7.65, exploding some shots at the marshal at close range. Marshal Azzolina, although struck, He promptly took out his service pistolbut, before being able to fire, was hit by yet another shot, which made him fall lifeless.
The two criminals disappeared in their own car and in the hours following the crime they were arrested. arrest and brought to justicewith the active contribution of the Vice Brigadier Salvatore Coltello who was with the Marshal and was injured in the fire action. Chief Marshal Azzolina was awarded the bronze medal for military valor “to memory”, with the following motivation:
“Station Commander detached in an area characterized by a high crime rate, together with a military employee, was reported to a sudden and violent fire action by two criminals caught in the act of theft. Although hit in several parts of the body, with great courage and great determination, he attempted to react with the weapon supplied, but hit once again in vital parts, he collapsed lifeless on the ground. Shining example of a high sense of duty and elevated military virtues, pushed to the extreme sacrifice.”
Sant’Eufemia d’Aspromonte (Reggio Calabria), 17 June 1996.
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