The charming setting of the room More of the Vittoriano Monumental Complex hosted yesterday afternoon the ceremony for the delivery of the combat flags of the frigate Aliseo and corvettes Sphinx e Fenice, which have recently been disarmed by the Navy.
Today's ceremony attests the repositioning of the naval fleet of the Navy with the disposal of the vehicles of the now obsolete naval team. The flags delivered to the Vittoriano join those of the other 8 units that have recently completed their operational activity.
Part of these ships will be replaced by the new units envisaged by the launch of the fleet renewal plan in progress; a necessary step to continue to guarantee the full operation of the Navy in the context of the challenges that see it engaged every day in the nearby seas, in the distant oceans, in Italy and abroad for the protection of national interests.
The commander in chief of the naval team, team admiral Donato Marzano, was present at the ceremony. "Through the flag of war we remember the story of that ship which is the history of the Navy, the history of the country - emphasized Admiral Marzano - In that combat flag there is the crew that was aboard that naval unit, there is sweat, there are sensations, feelings, sadness, fear, the fatigue of those who work every day at sea . Today there are more than 1.300 men and women at sea for our safety. I could not miss this ceremony in which proper acknowledgment is given, not so much to the ships, as to their crew".
A very evocative ceremony full of emotional impact during which the banners, which had been donated by the fighting associations when each naval unit entered service and were kept on board by the commander during the operational life of the ship, were placed in the traditional wooden chests that will hold them forever. They will be kept at the Shrine of the Armed Forces Flags and here visitors will be able to pay homage to them.
The ceremony also included the three officers who were the last commanders of the disarmed units. "The emotion is great for me - commented Lieutenant Luca Gullotti, the last commander of Nave Aliseo - It was a great responsibility but also a great privilege to be the last of the commanders of a glorious ship that has served the country for 34 years by carrying out all the missions assigned to it. Today, as during the ceremony of the last flag banner that took place in Taranto last September 8, I am very excited and honored".
Not a simple banner but an emblem of national identity which, on board a ship, can reach every corner of the world. This represents the war flag.
Flags of Nave Aliseo, Ship Sphinx of the Ship Fenice they join the naval units that have already completed their operational activities in the service of the country, such as the frigate Mistral, the patrol boat Grenadier, the corvettes Minerva, Sibilla, Urania e Danaide and hunters Sapri e Lerici.
