ilmattino.it – Honoring the Legacy of Monte Lungo

This morning, the 82nd Anniversary of the Battle of Mignano Monte Lungo was celebrated at the Military Shrine, fought during the Second World War, for which the city was awarded the Gold Medal for Military Valor and the Gold Medal for Civil Merit. The ceremony was attended by the Undersecretary of State for Defense, Senator Isabella Rauti, the National Territorial Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Gianpaolo Mirra, and the National President of the National Association of Regular Armed Forces Combatants in the Liberation War, Lieutenant General Enrico Pino. Welcomed by the mayor of Mignano Monte Lungo, the authorities reviewed an inter-force formation and paid tribute to the Flag of the 3rd ‘Bondone’ Regiment, the Gonfalon of the municipality of Mignano Monte Lungo, and other nearby municipalities decorated with the M.O.V.M., accompanied by the notes of the Band of the ‘Grenadiers of Sardinia’ Brigade. In her speech, Senator Rauti emphasized the importance of this significant anniversary, stating, ‘Remembering the Battles of Monte Lungo means affirming that Italy’s identity is also based on the contribution of those who – yesterday as today – swore to serve the Homeland with discipline, loyalty, and fidelity. Honoring those who fought for the Homeland is an institutional and moral duty; an educational commitment towards the younger generations to whom we must transmit the sense of history and the value of the Nation. Commemorating is not just remembering and paying tribute but also recognizing that the Armed Forces are a living part of democracy, capable of preserving historical memory and, at the same time, innovating and projecting towards future challenges, to ensure the security of the State and citizens.’ The National Territorial Commander of the Army, addressing those present, emphasized how ‘Eighty-two years later, Monte Lungo continues to illuminate our present and remind us of our responsibilities. I conclude with the hope that the memory of what happened in these places from December 8 to 16, 1943, and the memory of those who, with their sacrifice, contributed to the rebirth of Italy, continue to illuminate our actions and inspire the Army and the entire Nation, being undeniably solid foundations on which to build the future of our Country.’ Many citizens were also present, who, like every year, celebrate this anniversary in memory of those who fell during the Liberation War, tenaciously gathering around the soldiers of the 1st Motorized Group of the Army who fought valiantly at Mignano Monte Lungo in 1943. The memory of the historical events of what happened in the weeks following the armistice, after September 8, 1943, when Italian soldiers continued to fight to counter the German aggression, is an integral part of our country’s history and contributes to enriching the value heritage that characterizes the Italian Army, made up of men and women who, through the ‘Oath,’ the theme of the Army Calendar 2026, commit themselves to defend and serve Italy.

[Fonte: www.ilmattino.it]