Today, June 5, 2024, for the first time in the splendid and evocative setting of Villa Campolieto in Ercolano, in “Piazza Esedra”, the 210th anniversary of the foundation of the Carabinieri was celebrated.
The event, attended by political, civil and military authorities, began with the reading of the Message of the President of the Republic and the Order of the Day of the General Commander of the Carabinieri.
Alongside the War Flag of the 10th Carabinieri Regiment "Campania" and the training unit, representing the territorial and specialized components of the force, were deployed the Gonfalons of the Municipality of Naples, awarded the Gold Medal for Military Valor and the Gold Cross for Merit of the Carabinieri, of the Campania Region, of the Metropolitan City of Naples and of the Municipality of Ercolano.
Also present were representatives of the Professional Associations of a Trade Union Nature among the Military, as well as representatives of the National Association of the Carabinieri, the National Forestry Association, the Combatant and Armed Forces Associations and the National Organization for Assistance to Military Orphans of the Carabinieri, as well as the relatives of decorated soldiers who fell in the line of duty.
Also present at the ceremony were the parents of Marshal Francesco Pastore and Carabiniere Francesco Ferraro, former members of the Carabinieri Station in Campagna (SA) and tragically deceased there while on duty following a road accident during the night between 6 and 7 April.
Shortly before the ceremony, the Interregional Commander of the Carabinieri “Ogaden”, General of the Army Corps Antonio de Vita, paid tribute to all the Fallen of the Force by laying a wreath of flowers at the tomb of Vice Brigadier Salvo D'Acquisto, Gold Medal for Military Valor “in memoriam”, located in the Basilica of Santa Chiara in Naples and, subsequently, at the Shrine of the headquarters of the Carabinieri Legion Command “Campania”.
In his speech during the ceremony, General de Vita underlined how the force continues to be a sure point of reference for the communities, for the respect of the law, the fight against all forms of crime and for the extraordinary ability to listen to people.
“Today, with great professionalism and openness to continuous technological innovations, the Carabinieri tackle crucial issues to contribute to the quality of collective life: from safety in the workplace, to the protection of our invaluable cultural heritage, to the protection of the environment, ecosystems and biodiversity, to the protection of health and the genuineness of food.”
All themes that have as a common denominator "the territory" and specifically the Carabinieri Stations, which have always represented the cornerstone of the Institution to guarantee respect for fundamental freedoms and for the common good.
During the ceremony, honours and rewards were also awarded to 23 military personnel who distinguished themselves in complex and delicate investigative activities to combat the crime or who have risked their own safety to rescue and save people in serious difficulty.
Among these, the Bronze Medal for Civil Valor awarded to four soldiers who in Caivano saved five people trapped inside their apartments following a violent explosion; the Bronze Medal for Civil Valor awarded to a Brigadier (now Captain) who in Poggio Imperiale (FG) intervened at the scene of a robbery, managing to stop the car in which the criminals were fleeing, who fired numerous gunshots.
A Certificate of Public Merit for Civil Valor was then awarded to an App. Sc. (now Brigadier) active in the Naples Radiomobile Unit, who, while off duty, foiled a robbery in a tobacconist's, disarming and arresting one of the criminals and recovering the stolen goods.
Simple Commendations from the Interregional Commander were then delivered to four soldiers of the Marcianise Company who, at the end of a complex and detailed investigation carried out between 2017 and 2023, ascertained the existence of a criminal group dedicated to drug trafficking, extortion and usury with the execution of 25 precautionary measures and the seizure of drugs and cash.
An equal reward was granted to the military personnel of the Investigative Unit of the Provincial Command of Caserta and the Investigative Unit of the Aversa Group who, separately, conducted complex and articulated investigative activities which, between 2019 and 2021, led to the complete dismantling of a criminal organization responsible for mafia-style criminal association, extortion, usury, carrying and possession of weapons and drug trafficking, with the arrest of 39 dangerous members, including top members of the clan.
The ceremony ended with a tribute of recognition, for the meritorious activity constantly carried out in favor of the community, to four Station Commanders, one for each Legion under the jurisdiction of the Interregional Command "Ogaden" ("Campania", "Puglia", "Abruzzo and Molise" and "Basilicata") and in particular to the Commanders of the Carabinieri Stations of Naples-Scampia, Bari-Picone, Alba Adriatica (TE) and Montescaglioso (MT).
Article published on 5 June 2024 - 11:59
