KUALA LUMPUR, 30 NOV – The harsh lessons learnt and tremendous struggles overcome towards independence, has made Italy more committed to preserving global peace and harmony.
Italian defence attache Capt (Navy) Luigi Del Monaco reflected on the tumultuous and bitter era during World War 1 and relishing Victory Day
He said that more than a century ago, soldiers of the Italian Armed Forces had served diligently – fighting shoulder-to-shoulder – to achieve their intended tasks during troubled times to protect Italy’s sovereignty.
World War I, he said, severely tested his country to continue unite all its territories from the enemy, resulting in some 600,000 fallen heroes and several other hundreds of thousands injured.
“It is from this experience of victory that we are here to joyously celebrate our presence as a nation was born.
“However, the meaning of victory from the great war is not just a memorable celebration against the oppression from the enemy.
“Achieving unity and freedom was something strongly desired.
“Everyone strived to put the destiny of his country under one flag to represent the soul of Italy, putting service for the country above one’s self,” Del Monaco said at a reception to celebrate ‘Italian Armed Forces Day and National Unity Day 2023’ at the EQ Kuala Lumpur in Jalan Sultan Ismail.
Present were guest-of-honour Malaysian Defence Intelligence Organisation director-general Lieutenant-General Datuk Ahmad Norihan Jalal, who is also Royal Intelligence Corps chairman, and Italian ambassador to Malaysia Massimo Rustico.
Del Monaco said that Italians would always cherish greatly the magnificent officers and men who had contributed towards its goals.
“Our country has been involved in many areas of crisis with the international community, serving as United Nations peace-keepers in many countries to bring peace and prosperity.
“Our military forces are always there for the protection of human rights and combat terrorism.
“In a world faced by stiff tension and shaken by widespread conflicts, the Italian Armed Forces have deployed over 11,000 soldiers in 59 peace-keeping missions to safeguard the weakest and most oppressed people.
“I offer a toast to them.
“Italy, as a responsible nation, will do its part for the perseverance of peace and protection in the international context,” Del Monaco said.
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