"On the anniversary of the 153 anniversary of the establishment of the armed force, I pay tribute to the flag and turn my heartfelt thought to the soldiers of all ranks, weapons and specialties fallen in the fulfillment of duty".
This was stated by the President of the Republic at the Quirinale to a representation of students of the training institutes of the army, in the message sent to the Chief of Staff of the Army, Army Corps General Claudio Graziano.
"Protagonist from the 1861 of national history and depositary of ancient and glorious traditions, the army - the head of the state continued - has realized in recent decades a profound transformation that, from the defense of the borders of the country in the period of the cold war, the has led to becoming, in the era of globalization, a modern and appreciated instrument of security policy, in an increasingly interconnected world, in which the effects of conflicting events, even far from our borders, have an immediate impact on the prosperity of countries rendered strongly interdependent from belonging to the same economic and financial system, it plays, with the other armed forces, a role of dissuasion, prevention and stabilization fundamental for Italy and for the international community ".
"The basic component of a military tool constantly engaged in updating and rationalizing its structures, the army - said President Napolitano - is now able to intervene in crisis areas to effectively combat the pervasive threats of terrorism and crime organized and to help ensure that relations between states develop through the orderly use of negotiation and peaceful cooperation rather than through armed confrontation and conflict ".
"Officers, non-commissioned officers, graduates and troops and civilian personnel of the army, be proud to belong to a prestigious institution of great importance for the country. With the appreciation of the Italians for the brilliant results achieved in the many missions conducted to the abroad and on the national territory, may - he concluded - reach you and your families my warm greetings and my most fervent wishes. Long live the army, long live the armed forces, long live Italy! ".
Source: Army Majority Staff
