The first stone of the monument dedicated to the sailors who died in war was laid today in Rome in Piazza Bainsizza, in the presence of the Minister for Youth Policies, Fabiana Dadone, the Mayor of Rome, Virginia Raggi, the Undersecretary of Defense, Senator Stefania Pucciarelli , the chief of staff of the Navy Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone and the president of the Italian Sailors Association (ANMI) Admiral Pierluigi Rosati.
"Once a sailor, a sailor forever, this is the motto of the Italian Sailors Association which today more than ever represents the spirit of this important day". With these words, Minister Dadone wanted to underline this unforgettable moment for Rome and for generations "old and new that met for the laying of the first stone of the monument dedicated to the Sailors of Italy, created thanks to the important support of the Mission Structure for the enhancement of national anniversaries and the participatory dimension of the new generations, and to the fundamental involvement of Roma Capitale, the Capitoline Superintendence and the Ministry of Defense ".
Also present at the ceremony were the boys of the Marcantonio Colonna Naval Technical Institute in Anzio to testify the importance of involving the new generations in remembering the past and building the future.
Mayor Raggi expressed his full satisfaction in participating in the event, recalling that “This monument is a symbol of a collaboration that has allowed Rome to have a monument to the sailors of Italy, the only capital of Europe not to have one. Memory is important, it represents the cultural rebirth of the whole country ".
The Undersecretary of State for Defense Pucciarelli thus underlined the event “First stone of the monumental fountain entitled 'AI MARINAI D'ITALIA'. This square will represent the desire for redemption and redevelopment with a great historical and evocative significance - he then continued - Meritorious is the impulse of ANMI in proposing a place of remembrance for the sailors of all times who have fallen or lost in the fulfillment of their duty and which, thanks to the harmony between the institutions, is finding realization ".
The senator then concluded by saying that this event is enriched even more in significance precisely in the year of the celebrations of the centenary of the Unknown Soldier, emblem of all the fallen and missing in the Italian war.
The applause and pride of finally having a monument to the fallen sailors in the capital was also recognized by the leaders of the Navy.
