2 June, at 70 years of republic a new "revolution"

(To Anita Fiaschetti)
02/06/16

Everyone's party: this is the message that comes out of this 2 June, 70 anniversary of the Italian Republic. Not a performance of the Armed Forces, but a feast of all Italians: an emblematic revolution wanted by the defense minister, Roberta Pinotti.

To confirm this change of course, the novelty of the event: the opening of the parade by 400 mayors representing the Italian common 8.000. "2 June is Republic Day, the feast of all Italians - stated vessel captain Luca Anconelli, head of PI SMD section - it is not the celebration of the Armed Forces. Consequently, participation must be open to all citizens and the presence of mayors today is a clear example. Their membership gives the event a double meaning: on the one hand the mayor as an important institution, on the other a thanks to the military and police forces that operate continuously in support of the Municipalities, just think of the Safe Roads operation ".

Beyond 3.600 the women and men, civil and military, who marched in via dei Fori Imperiali, in what this year took the only name of parade, separated from the military term. Historical uniforms, representatives of the Army, Navy, Aeronautics and Carabinieri, but also young people from the National Civil Service, schools and auxiliary bodies of the State. Several moments full of emotion, such as the one dedicated to Silvio Mirarchi, the carabiniere killed yesterday in Marsala, to the two marines, Salvatore Girone and Massimiliano Latorre, appointed during the passage of the San Marco Brigade, and to the parade of athletes of the Paralympic Defense Group , get medals from the Invictus Games in Orlando with loot from 11.

But the 2 June is not only the anniversary of the Republic. In that same 1946, 13 millions of women, one more than men, were called to the polls for the first time (except for the administrative vote in March of that year) and helped to change the face of an Italy exhausted by World War II and by the fascist dictatorship. 21 women, on 556 deputies, were elected as members of the Constituent Assembly. Few, but fundamental, as are those present by the 2000 in the Armed Forces "one 4.5% - says the army captain, Anna Polico - a still low percentage, although there are many occasions in which women have proven to be an added value, as shown by the use in crisis areas where, with civil and military cooperation projects, we provide the population with those essential services that are lacking . Being able to do it as women to women allows us to reach out to the entire population and to get new generations to receive important messages such as democracy, security, freedom and civic value ".

Although Italy has arrived late compared to other countries in the entry of women into the Armed Forces, there has never been any foreclosure: every woman can enter any Body, Specialty and Weapon. The only thing is to overcome the same physical tests as men, which is why it has made women even more determined and motivated, as Polico herself tells us.I don't think there are any peculiarities that make men better than women, but of course the approach to gender work is different and the starting point is never the same. Sometimes I say that male colleagues start from scratch and go on, the woman starts from something less, must first reach zero, calibrate herself with others and then must prove to be professional, tenacious and willing to do ”.

Employment in the Armed Forces is not simple, it involves many sacrifices, often even daily, but Polico's wish is to see many young people wearing the uniform in the future and making a difference tomorrow, like seventy years ago.

(photo: SMD)