At the Hall of Memorabilia of the Shrine of Flags at the Vittoriano, the historical photographic exhibition "Somalia 1993 - Check Point Pasta" was inaugurated, curated by the Fondazione Ente Editoriale per l'Esercito. The Minister of Defense, the Hon. Guido Crosetto, the vice president of the Chamber of Deputies, the Honorable Pietro Mulè, the Undersecretary of State for Defence, the Honorable Matteo Perego di Cremnago, the Chief of Defense Staff, Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, the Chief of Staff of the Army, General of the Defense Pietro Serino army and other civil and military authorities.
Also present was the honorable lieutenant colonel Gianfranco Paglia, who was wounded during the clashes in Mogadishu and for this reason awarded the Gold Medal for Military Valor.
"Check Point Pasta 1993 - 2023" is an exhibition with which the Italian Army intends to commemorate the Fallen and wounded and decorated soldiers in defense of peace and international security during the IBIS II mission. The exhibition provides a complete picture of the Somali situation in the period 1992 – 1994 and on UN interventions to provide stability and security in the area.
Citizens will be able to visit the exhibition for free until 30 July.
The Shrine is open from Tuesday to Friday from 09.30 to 12.00 and from 14.00 to 16.00, while on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays the afternoon hours are extended until 18.00. Entry to the public is permitted up to 20 minutes before closing.
“It is on memory that democratic institutions and the nation are founded. - these are the words of the Minister of Defence, who spoke at the inauguration - Today we remember who sacrificed themselves to save their comrades, with courage and honor, and who stood by their side without fear. The armed forces defend democracy, peace, institutions but their task is also to honor the memory of those who sacrificed his life for them. This event is proof of that."
The Chief of Staff of the Army, on the sidelines, highlighted how "Today, after 30 years, we gather around the memory of the fallen, their families, mutilated and wounded fellow soldiers, and we renew our commitment to serve the Republic, the Constitution and the Italians, to whom we feel we belong, with discipline and honor".
