Also delivered was the “Idria Memorial Award” dedicated to three Armed Forces pilots who recently died in tragic flying accidents
“It Idria Prize It draws inspiration from the example, courage and sacrifice of those military personnel and uniformed professionals who stand out in their daily lives for specific actions always carried out quietly and without fuss, always in defence and rescue of the community, even at the risk of their own safety. This edition's posthumous Idria Award is dedicated to three aviators, to three Italian Air Force pilots, who fell in the line of duty whilst training to be ready, to be on the front line, to safeguard free democratic institutions and in the service of Italy. They are the late Major Pilot Fabio Antonio Altruda, Colonel Pilot Giuseppe Cipriano, Wing Commander Pilot Marco Meneghello, who recently disappeared in tragic aircraft accidents that occurred in Trapani and Guidonia while carrying out their assigned duties. They were professionals, although also sons or fathers or husbands, they were united by the same dream which, with great commitment and tenacity, they had finally managed to realise. It was the dream of flying which, although dangerous, they pursued with the highest spirit of service and without fanfare, fulfilling the oath they had taken up to the ultimate sacrifice”.
With these words she Dr Salvina Sambataro, President of the Pro Loco of Paternò, introduced the moment of posthumous award“, in the context of the 15th edition of the “Idria National Award”which took place on Saturday 25 November, inside the splendid setting of the Church of Santa Barbara in Paternò (CT). All in the presence of military, civil and religious authorities, as well as citizens and students from local schools, the Mayor of the town on the slopes of Etna, Nino Naso, and the families of the pilots Altruda, Meneghello and Cipriano, who collected the posthumous award in an atmosphere of great emotion.
Sponsored, among others, by Ministry of Defence, the initiative also conferred several symbolic awards upon those who have recently exerted themselves in acts of altruism, courage and human solidarity. All the recipients belonged to the four Armed Forces and the Fire Service. In particular, receiving the award for the Air Force, in addition to the three late Officers, the Lieutenant Giuseppe Di Paola of the Pozzuoli Air Force Academy, the Lieutenant Salvatore Tringali of the Sigonella Airport Command, the Lieutenant Colonel Boris Petracca serving at the Joint Operations Command in Rome, the Warrant Officer 2nd Class Salvatore Rosario Vetrugno of the 46th Air Brigade of Pisa.
Representing the personal Air Force personnel coming from the 37th Wing of Trapani, the 60th Wing of Guidonia, the 41st Wing of Sigonella, including Colonel Pilot Emanuele Di Francesco, Commander of the 41st Antisom Wing and of Sigonella Airport, and Colonel Pilot Michele Cesario, Commander of the 60th Wing of Guidonia.
On the sidelines of the event, a laurel wreath was laid at the city of Paternò's war memorial.
Read here the reasons that led to the awarding of the “Idria 2023 Prize”
