They were remembered today, at the House of the Aviator, in Rome, the tragic events of Kindu where, 55 years ago, 13 fell Italian aviators of the 46esima air brigade in a UN peacekeeping mission.
The event, organized under the patronage of the Italian Air Force, by the Foundation Giovanna Dejua and from Lions Club Roma Mare, was chaired by the Undersecretary of State for Defense, Domenico Rossi.
Undersecretary Rossi, after addressing a deferential thought to all those killed in international missions, expressed sincere and affectionate closeness to the families who experienced the pain of losing a relative in the fulfillment of duty.
"There is a common thread that unites our fallen to all the servicemen: believe in the sworn oath and always be ready to sacrifice your life for the Fatherland. Honoring those who have fulfilled their task with honor to the utmost sacrifice gives us the strength to look ahead".
For the occasion, Poste Italiane has prepared a collector's philatelic postcard that re-elaborates the pictorial work of Giovanna Dejua entitled "The Martyrs of Kindu" where 13 aviators are represented by 13 elevated stars with tricolor wings projected towards the infinite.
It was 11 or 12 November 1961 (the exact date of the event made public days after it is not clear) when thirteen Italian aviators of the Operation of Nations contingent were killed in Kindu, in the former Belgian Congo. Unite in Congo sent to restore order in the country ravaged by civil war.
The 11 November of the 1994, the then president of the republic, Oscar Luigi Scalfaro, decorated them with the gold medal for military valor.
