Today, at the Vittorio Emanuele Theater in Messina, the alternation ceremony in the command of the "Aosta" brigade between the brigadier general Bruno Pisciotta, transferring, and the parigrade Giuseppe Bertoncello, taking over, in the presence of the war flag of the 5th “Aosta” infantry regiment, of the commander of the “Acqui” division, division general Nicola Terzano, of the banners and banners of the fighting and weapon associations and of the highest civil, military and religious authorities of the city of the Strait.
General Pisciotta leaves the command of the prestigious Army unit after two years of intense training and operational activity. The "Aosta" brigade, under his leadership, was involved both abroad - in Lebanon, Kosovo, Somalia and Djibouti - and on the national territory as part of the "Safe Roads" operation in collaboration with the Police Forces in the activities control over the territory, in the fight against crime and, lastly, to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.
General Pisciotta, in the course of his speech, said “Today I am leaving the delicate, exciting and engaging position of commander which, at various levels, represents the essence of being a soldier. Almost two years of commitment and great sacrifice, but also, I am sure, of satisfaction, which I can clearly see today in the eyes of my Lions of Aosta. It was a period of continuous sacrifices, due to the commitment you made both during the intense training and operational rhythms and in times of difficulty, such as when you gave your all to the populations affected by the floods in the province of Palermo and Catania and also in the COVID emergency. The great professionalism implemented with the humility of the strong has made you appreciate by our fellow citizens and by our institutions, who look at you with admiration and respect. Even abroad, especially in Lebanon last year, you have demonstrated that military rigor, passion and extraordinary humanity can be combined. "
General Pisciotta, who will hold a prestigious position at the Army General Staff in Rome, finally addressed the relatives of the large family of the “Aosta” brigade, for having allowed them to work in peace.
General Giuseppe Bertoncello from the Defense Staff, in his introductory speech, addressing the soldiers of the brigade, said he was confident of being able to count on the full and sincere collaboration of all, committing himself with all physical and mental energy to maintain the highest level of efficiency and operational capacity of the brigade, making sure that the traditions, of which one is custodian, are preserved, nurtured and bequeathed to future generations.
General Terzano, commander of the "Acqui" division, after having expressed a moving memory of the fallen and his closeness to the personnel who are fighting against serious pathologies, expressed in his speech his applause to General Pisciotta for the brilliant results achieved by the brigade " Aosta "both in the delicate operations in foreign territory and in the many competitions provided in favor of the national community. In this regard, he highlighted the fundamental importance of training and dedication to service that allow each soldier to contribute to the fulfillment of the increasingly heterogeneous assigned missions. This is possible, underlined the commander of Acqui, when every man or woman with stars can enjoy the closeness of their loved ones, thanking in this sense all the families of the Leoni d'Aosta for the sacrifices sustained and the precious support provided to the their loved ones in uniform. Closing his speech, he expressed his best wishes to General Bertoncello for the best fortunes in the exciting command experience that awaits him.
At the end of the ceremony, the disinfection units of the “Aosta” brigade sanitized the Vittorio Emanuele Theater.
