This morning at 10, for the first time in Piazza Brà, in the heart of Verona, 403 volunteers in fixed stops one-year (VFP1) of the 1 ° 2016 call, of which 23 women, belonging to 85 ° volunteer training regiment (RAV) "Verona", have sworn allegiance to the Italian republic.
In front of the war flag, decorated with a knight's cross of the military order of Italy, a silver medal for military valor and a silver medal of merit and in the general presence of Giorgio Battisti, commander for training, specialization and doctrine of the Army, as well as the prefect of Verona, Salvatore Mario Mulas and the mayor Flavio Tosi, the young volunteers shouted their "I swear" followed by the notes of the hymn of Mameli, performed by the fanfare of the cavalry brigade "Pozzuolo del Friuli".
During his speech, Colonel Marco Simonini, commander of the "Verona" 85 regiment, said: "in these days of barracks life there will have been many questions, doubts and concerns that you will have been asked, but today, I presume to read in your eyes the determination necessary for participating in the values that the Army represents and on which is based the ethical dimension of our identity as soldiers: discipline, moral integrity and spirit of body ". And again: "the road in uniform that you have undertaken is neither comfortable nor simple, but will give you human and professional satisfaction beyond all expectations".
General Battisti then took the floor and, after reminding the volunteers of the importance of today's ceremony, he urged the young soldiers, saying: "be curious, do not be afraid to ask and to know. You have enthusiasm for your of young age "and again:" reciprocate the trust that is placed in you, with the pride of being part of a great institution such as the Italian Army ". Finally, addressing the many parents present: "be proud of the choice made by your young people and support them with your continuous and attentive presence".
The 1 ° Bando 2016 is named in memory of the major Giuseppe Beleno, decorated with a gold medal for military valor for the heroism demonstrated in the Friulian front of the 1 ° November 1916, during the First World War, when, after remaining for two days under violent enemy bombardments, he heroically lost his life hit by an enemy grenade.
The solemn ceremony was also attended by Sergeant Andrea Adorno, gold medal for military valor, who began his career as a soldier at the 85 ° regiment, who greeted the young jurors by the medal group of gold for military valor.
Volunteers in pre-established 1 ° 2016 call for tender, formally acquired the status of a soldier, will remain in the Scaliger city until the next 13 June, after completing the ten weeks of basic training, to then continue their training period at the departments in charge of the "Module K".
