On the day dedicated to the commemoration of the deceased, the Italian Army paid tribute to the soldiers fallen in war and post-war, remembering the sacrifice of those who, with their courage and dedication, paved the way for freedom and peace.
In a historical moment marked by uncertainties and challenges, our Fallen continue to show the way, reminding us of the purest essence of service and love for the Homeland.
This morning, at the Sacrario di Palazzo Esercito, the Chief of Staff of the Army, General of the Army Corps Carmine Masiello, laid a wreath of laurel in memory of all the Fallen, on behalf of the entire Armed Force. A solemn and meaningful gesture, renewing the bond between the Army and the values of loyalty, courage, and spirit of service that have guided generations of Italian soldiers.
Subsequently, at the Monumental Cemetery of Verano, General Masiello paid homage to the tomb of General Enrico Cosenz, the first Chief of Staff of the Italian Army. The ceremony was attended by the students of the Military School “Nunziatella”, a representation with the Banner of the Lazio Section of the National Association of Former Students “Nunziatella”, and the family members of General Cosenz.
During the morning, the Chief of Defense Staff, General Luciano Portolano, together with General Masiello and other top authorities of the Armed Forces, laid a wreath of laurel at the Military Shrine of Verano. The commemoration concluded with the Holy Mass in suffrage of the Fallen, officiated by the Military Ordinary for Italy, His Most Reverend Excellency Monsignor Gian Franco Saba.
The Flower of Memory: A Sign of Identity and Hope
This year, the commemoration of the Fallen takes on an even deeper meaning thanks to the adoption of the Myosotis, the Forget-me-not, as the official flower in memory of the Fallen for the Homeland.
An initiative promoted by the Group of Gold Medals for Military Valor of Italy (GMOVM), which authentically expresses Italian identity and the value of memory.
The small blue flower, with its five petals reminiscent of the Star of Italy, today becomes a symbol of fidelity, eternal love, and remembrance. It is the same blue of our Armed Forces, our flags, our ideals. Worn on the lapel of the uniform, it represents a discreet but powerful sign of belonging, gratitude, and commitment to never forget.
The personnel of the Armed Forces is authorized to wear the Myosotis on major occasions dedicated to memory:
- November 2: Commemoration of the Deceased;
- November 4: National Unity Day and Armed Forces Day;
- November 11: Veterans Day;
- November 12: Remembrance Day for Military and Civilian Fallen in International Peace Missions.
This simple and pure flower unites the memory of the past with the hope of the future, reminding us that memory is the root of national identity.
Our Fallen Guide Us
In a time when the world faces new uncertainties and tensions, the Army renews its commitment in the path traced by those who gave their lives for the Homeland.
The sacrifice of our Fallen is not just memory, but direction. It is the beacon that guides the daily actions of the men and women in uniform, called today to serve Italy with the same courage, the same sense of duty, the same dedication that animated those who preceded them.
Remembering them means safeguarding the founding values of the Republic and our being a Nation: unity, freedom, solidarity, and loyalty to the Homeland.
In the silence of the shrines and in the blue flower of memory, the Army finds the strength to look forward, aware that only those who remember can build the future.
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