On Saturday 11 June, the XIX Rally concluded, celebrated together with the XVII National Rally of the AVES Association, to pay tribute to the Aviators. The events began as early as Friday 10 June, when, in the early afternoon, the General Assembly of Members was held, during which the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Air Marshal Giuseppe Bernardis, in his speech wished to express gratitude “to all those who have served and are serving in our beloved Armed Forces, and to the many who, with their active participation within the Sections and Nuclei present in Italy and abroad, renew daily our best traditions, ensuring that the link between the past and the present is made ever more inseparable”. He then concluded, emphasizing the renewed mission of the Air Force in various multinational contexts, which is also affected by a profound rationalization of its organizational and operational structure. Alongside the celebrations, an exhibition was also held at the Regional Palace, featuring memorabilia and modern equipment, including a cockpit from a F-104 fighter jet. The program, curated with the active collaboration of the Northern Regional Military Command, then featured, in the evening, the performance of the Milan 1st Air Region Band in the elegant setting of Piazza San Carlo, where, in the presence of civil and military authorities and the presidencies of the Associations, it held a concert for the large number of citizens who had gathered. On Saturday, 11th, on the fiftieth anniversary of the last AAA National Rally in Turin, the city celebrated with thousands of participants who gathered along the route between Piazza Carlo Felice and Piazza Castello, with Piazza San Carlo once again chosen as the focal point of the event. A noble symbol of the Associations, their respective Flags, with the Tricolour Flag beside them, emblem of the spirit that has always characterized and united the past, present and future protagonists of aeronautical events. In addition to the numerous Sections of the Associations of the Italian Regions, a Training Department was present for the presentation of military honors to the Deputy State Secretary for Defense, Mr. Guido Crosetto, composed of the Fanfare of the 1st Air Region, the Standard of the 4th AVES Regiment (Air Force), ‘Altair’, the War Flag of the 6th Ghedi Squadron (Brescia), a platoon of the 34th Squadron of AVES ‘Toro’, and a company of the Italian Air Force, composed of military from the 1st Air Region and the 50th Piacenza Squadron. Crosetto, accompanied by the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, General Roberto Bernardini, representing the Chief of Staff of the Army, and by the National Presidents of the respective Associations, General of Air Squadron Giambortolo Parisi (AAA) and General of Division Antonio Lattanzio (Air Force), reviewed the honor guard formation, while the sky of Turin was colored by the Tricolour created by the National Acrobatics Patrol.
In the honor tribune, were present the Mayor of Turin, Piero Fassino, the President of the Province Saitta, the President of the Regional Council Cattaneo, as well as, among the military authorities, the Commander of the Air Force, General of Air Force Tiziano Tosi. From the stage, after reading the messages of the President of the Republic, Giorgio Napolitano, and the Minister of Defense, on. Ignazio La Russa, the prolegomena of the National Presidents of the Army Air Force and the Association of the Aeronautical Arm, the Commander of the 1st FOD, the Chief of Staff of the Air Force and the Undersecretary Crosetto. Next, led by the Training Department, the impressive parade of participants from all the Arms Associations, coming from various Italian Regions and also from abroad, which with their constant commitment and sense of belonging prove to be a valuable support for the activities aimed at promoting the image of the Armed Forces, in Italy and worldwide, an instrument of connection with the country, as well as a vehicle for safeguarding and passing on the prestigious aviatorial traditions that, right in the city of Turin, have their roots so deep that its citizens paid the appropriate tribute in an enthusiastic and participatory ‘hug’ during the rally days.
Telecasts of 13/06/2011 at 12:00
