Thursday 7 March, one year on from the tragic passing of Colonel Giuseppe Cipriano and Lieutenant Colonel Marco Meneghello during a training mission, took place in Guidonia – in the presence of Chief of the Air Staff, Air Squadron General Luca Goretti – of the commemorative events for the two pilots of the 60° Wing.
The day began with a solemn flag-raising ceremony at the “Alfredo Barbieri” military airport, in the presence of the relatives of the two Officers, of all military and civilian personnel of the Wing and of the entities located at the airbase.
Following a meeting between the Chief of Staff and the families of the two Officers, it was revealed – in the presence of authorities including the Commander of Schools and the 3rd Air Region, Gen. S.A. Silvano Frigerio, the Commander of COMAER, General S.A. Giandomenico Taricco, and a representation of the base's personnel – A monument dedicated to them near the Command of the 60th Wing.
“The two stelae – stated Col. Michele Cesario, Commander of the 60th Wing, describing the monument – They represent Montecelio and Sant’Angelo Romano, united by the helical trail of an aeroplane that joins and symbolises the infinite embrace of the two pilots.“.
Next, the commemoration moved outside the airport, in Collefiorito locality, where, in the presence of the city authorities, it was inaugurated within a small public green space, a marble sundial that will mark each year, on this day, the time of the tragic accident, to symbolise the deep bond between the City Administration and the entire community with the Air Force base.
“A year ago, we lost two colleagues who made their passion for flying their life's work, two people who are indelibly part of the history of the Air Force and who, along with their families, will remain forever in our hearts.“, he stated Chief of Staff of the Air Force.
“On this sad day for all of us, on behalf of all the women and men of the Armed Forces, I want to renew our thanks to this city and this community, which has always been close to the armed forces and supportive of our shared values. Guidonia is an important place for the Air Force, not only for its history, but because it is here that we prepare and train the young people who will be our future.
In this circumstance, I also renew the greetings and closeness of the Minister of Defence, Guido Crosetto, to the families of Marco and Giuseppe, and to the community of Guidonia Montecelio and the city authorities.“.
The commemoration concluded with a eucharistic celebration at the parish church of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Loreto, officiated by the Bishop of Tivoli and Palestrina, H.E. Mons. Mauro Parmeggiani, and in the presence of Mayor Mauro Lombardo.
