This is what happens, every year, on Col Moschin, when today's daring - the raiders of the 9 ° regiment - spiritually embrace their ancient brothers, or perhaps better define them "fathers", of the First World War.
In the 1918, a handful of boys led by Major Giovanni Messe, literally set fire to the peaks of Monte Grappa: in a few days the names Col Fagheron, Col Moschin and Fenilon lit the spirit of the Italian army which, on those peaks, he sacrificed his best men.
The bold, whose glories fill the pages of many history books, were the first special forces of the Italian army, not so much for their peculiar organization, but for their actions and way of fighting. The men of Messe mark, in fact, an essential breaking point with respect to the traditional infantry manuals of the time that blindly followed the dogma of the frontal attack and the consequent useless sacrifice of human lives.
We agree, the idea of assault troops is not born in the Royal Army, but has found its best expression in Italy. We also give the right tribute to the infantry that followed, not without difficulty, the advance of the bold: without their contribution, the sacrifices of the Black Flames, would have become a useless massacre.
Among the men of the major Messe, the former saboteurs and the raiders of the 9 ° paratroopers assault regiment, there is therefore an inseparable bond. Starting from the name - Col Moschin - numbering and black insignia, they are tangible signs of this continuity, but the true trait d'union that cement the past to the present, dwelling in the spirit that animates the choices and deeds of these men. Self-denial, a sense of duty, a spirit of sacrifice and love for Italy are the cornerstones on which the character of the boys of yesterday and today rests.
You observe them lined up, with their camouflage and the Amaranth Basque, in front of the commemorative stone with a proud look, aware of their choice which, too often, leads them to the extreme sacrifice; if you look into their eyes, you understand that what they want is not advertising, hype or front pages, but respect and - I add - a bit more of gratitude on our part and in the institutions.
At a time when the country seems to have lost its compass, monuments like the one on Col Moschin, on Monte Grappa, or Redipuglia, are the light at the end of the tunnel; remember the brave, infantrymen, airmen and sailors, who sacrificed their lives, can really save us from a cultural collapse that endangers our identity. The army, it is well known, follows the policy of "doing", of carrying out what is ordered to them ... and the raiders of Col Moschin know this well, since they are used to giving their all, in all circumstances. As the Black Flames do not ask too many questions: to paraphrase the same Masses - before the attack - "We must take the Col Moschin at all costs" ... and so they did ... and so do they.
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The commemoration of the battle began on the June 26 in the morning: comforted by a clear sky, 8 parachutist raiders - all TCL instructors - landed on the top of the hill, with extraordinary precision, in a patch of land. The flags of the 9 ° Regiment, of the 1 ° battalion and of course the Italian one were tied to them.
The following day, the 27 June, a small detachment of the 9 ° attended the beautiful ceremony that obtained a good number of participants, both between the weapon associations - Alpini and ANPd'I on the front line - and between the political authorities regional and national levels. ANIE (National Army Raiders Association) with its president, Colonel Raider Angelo Passafiume, did the honors with the usual sensitivity and hospitality.
The 28 June, the collective memory, made a leap forward to recall the tragic events of Cima Vallona of the 1967, the attack in which the paratrooper saboteurs Mario di Lecce and Sergeant Olivo Dordi lost their lives, along with the captain of the carabinieri Francesco Gentile. With them was also the sergeant sabotage sabotage Marcello Fagnani (photo on the right), the only survivor of that sad day and the main witness of the day. The Silver Medal for Military Valor Marcello Fagnani, a member of ANIE, is the living testimony that certain choices involve risks that are incomprehensible to most. And yet his face never lacked a smile: a noble, proud and proud soul. We can not help but thank him.
All the ceremonies have followed a common thread, not only in history, but also in remembering the two incursors disappeared in these last days: the first marshal incursor Salvatore Zonchello, deceased due to a sudden illness, and the incursor major Sergeant Sergio David Ferreri , died in training during a TCL launch.
Do not wet their memory only with tears or using sterile words about the duty, the danger of their work, etc. In fact, they continue to live in the memory of those who knew them: now they are on top and shake hands with the daring Angelo Zancanaro, Ciro Scianna, Enrico Picaglia and the many saboteurs and raiders who, in every age, have never forgotten the words VALUE and SACRIFICE.
Paolo Palumbo
(photo: Viviana Cariola)
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