Following the damage to the monument dedicated to the Paracadutisti d’Italia in Susa, Piedmont, a grassroots fundraiser has been launched to help restore it. The initiative was launched by Paratrooper Vincenzo Palumbo, President of the ANPd’I Naples Section and coordinator of the “Reduci – Battaglia del Pastificio” group.
The monument was vandalized in recent days: the Italian tricolor was removed from the flagpole, the display case containing sand from El Alamein was smashed, and the surrounding area was defaced. The words «murderous colonialists» also appeared on the road in front of the monument. Law enforcement agencies are investigating the incident.
«United for Val Susa, united for Folgore»
Known as “Diavolo Nero,” Palumbo, a retired paratrooper of the XV Compagnia Paracadutisti Diavoli Neri of the 186º Reggimento "Folgore", announced the initiative in a Facebook post, calling on the Paracadutisti d’Italia to show tangible support for the Nucleo ANPd’I Val Susa.
«After what happened in Val Susa, where unknown individuals vandalized the ANPd’I monument, I believe it is our duty to send a concrete message of solidarity, closeness and unity», writes the President of the ANPd’I Naples Section.
The proposal is for a grassroots fundraiser to restore the memorial, through voluntary donations made directly to the Nucleo Paracadutisti ANPd’I Val Susa.
«It does not matter how much you donate. What matters is being there», Palumbo stressed, explaining that the aim is to help restore the monument’s «decorum, dignity and honor».
The monument targeted in Susa
The memorial is dedicated to Italian paratroopers who fell in war, during peacekeeping missions and on drop zones.
As reported by BrigataFolgore.net on September 25, the damage affected several elements: the Italian tricolor, the display case containing sand from El Alamein, the base and the surrounding area. A yellow-green substance had been scattered across the ground and paving, while graffiti in red paint had been written on the roadway.
The incident drew condemnation from military associations and local institutional representatives. At the time of the initial report, no claims of responsibility had been made and the perpetrators had not been identified.
The fundraiser
According to Palumbo, donations can be made directly to the Postepay Evolution account designated by the Nucleo Paracadutisti ANPd’I Val Susa, held in the name of trustee Claudio Vielmi.
ANPd’I Val Susa Paratroopers Unit
Account holder: Claudio Vielmi
IBAN: IT62H3608105138237912337937
Payment reference: Restoration of the ANPd’I Val Susa monument
«Even a small gesture can make a difference. What matters is being there», Palumbo writes.
In his message, the Paratrooper invokes the values of unity and solidarity that bind members of the Association: «When one of our own is struck, we all rally around him».
The appeal closes with the words: «Italy’s Paratroopers, united for Val Susa, united for Folgore».
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