In Caserta, 2,000 specialist “radunisti”, in service and on leave, participated in the 1st national gathering. The event aimed to strengthen the bond of belonging among the Specialists of the Italian Air Force, in service and on leave. It was also an opportunity to strengthen the intense bond between the city of Caserta and its territory, which has always been home to the School and the Italian Air Force. Approximately 4,000 people, including specialists and their families, from all over Italy and abroad, attended the gathering. The gathering began on Saturday, September 28, with an “open day” at Scuola Specialisti, led by Colonel Paolo Marco Felli, with visits to the teaching, training, and accommodation facilities, as well as historical-photographic, multimedia, and static exhibitions of an aeronautical nature, which were very well received by the public. On that day, after laying a wreath at the monument to the fallen of the Air Force, Commander of the 3rd Air Region, General of the Air Force Franco Girardi, and the Mayor of Caserta, Dr. Pio Del Gaudio, inaugurated the monument dedicated to the “specialist of the A.M.” The work, created by 1st Lieutenant Antonio Verardi, represents a specialist engaged in performing the pre-flight procedure of the F-104, the so-called “five-fingered rule”. The day concluded in the evening with a parade of uniforms of the Air Force as part of a related event.
On Sunday 29 September, the event moved to the Caserta Municipal Stadium, with the presence of the Undersecretary of State for Defense, Mr. Gioacchino Alfano, the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, General of Squadron Pasquale Preziosa, General Girardi, the Mayor of Caserta, Dr. Pio Del Gaudio, and many other local authorities. In the morning, the gatherers marched along Corso Trieste in Caserta to reach the ‘Pinto’ Stadium. Subsequently, the flag-raising ceremony took place and the authorities present delivered their speeches. The event concluded with the Aviator’s prayer recited by a serving specialist and the launching of a flame in the sky of Caserta in memory of the 1st National Assembly.
Colonel Felli’s speech was particularly heartfelt; after greeting the Dean of Specialists, Cav. Giuseppe Fiengo, class of 1920 and recruited in 1938, he addressed the Radunisticon with these words:“Today, before us are men and women of every specialty and rank, belonging to all the categories that are here almost as if to renew that promise of loyalty made to the Air Force and the institutions some time ago, proud and proud to wear the blue uniform.”. After recalling several events and reporting some testimonies that specialists have told during these months of organization, Colonel Felli concluded as follows: “RI offer a heartfelt thought to those who are no longer with us, to those specialists who, in the various missions both at home and abroad, sacrificed their lives to fulfill their duty.”.
General Preziosa, in his intervention said: ” I have always met you specialists during my activities, at the weather office for the bulletin, before going on a flight, at the teletypewriters to pick up a message and in all the activities of the Armed Forces, and you have always been ready to contribute. This meeting is very important and will continue in the coming years. Caserta is the cradle of our Sub-officers where the specialists of the future will be trained. Caserta and the Royal Palace represent an inseparable union for the specialists.”
The Undersecretary of State for Defense, Mr. Gioacchino Alfano, after greeting the many rally participants who had gathered in Caserta, stated: [..] This is an occasion to recognize a value. Military associations in this way promote the spreading of the courage and sense of loyalty that distinguish the armed forces from civil society; in this way the history of this school is intertwined with this city.”.
Outside the ceremony at the stadium, General Preziosa gave the “crack the lines” to the rally participants and received their warm embrace as a testament to their never-diminished feelings of belonging to the Air Force. Subsequently, the delegation of authorities visited an aeronautical exhibition at Piazza Dante in Caserta.
