Today, November 4, 2024, the Italian community of New York gathered at the Basilica of Old St. Patrick to celebrate Italy’s National Unity and Armed Forces Day. The commemorative mass, led by Father Luigi Portarulo, was attended by members of the Italian community, as well as institutional and military representatives, including the distinguished presence of Ambassador Maurizio Massari, Italy’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations. His attendance added a profound sense of solemnity to this moment of reflection.
On this special occasion, General Alfonso Manzo, Military Adviser to the Permanent Mission of Italy to the United Nations, shared a message dedicated to all in attendance and to Italians worldwide. Below is the full text of his speech.
Welcome, everyone, to the celebration of Italy’s National Unity and Armed Forces Day.
First and foremost, I wish to express my gratitude to our dear Parish Priest of Old St. Patrick’s, Father Luigi Portarulo, who, when asked to host us for this moment of reflection and prayer, graciously opened the doors of his Church.
A special thanks to our Ambassador, His Excellency Maurizio Massari, Permanent Representative of Italy to the United Nations. His esteemed presence adds a solemn touch to this celebration.
I would also like to sincerely thank the entire International Community here present, from Military and Police Advisers, to the Italian personnel serving at the United Nations, to our friends from the Permanent Mission and Italian Armed Forces Veterans of New York. Your numerous participation further strengthens the bonds of teamwork and friendship that bring us together, especially in the places and times when the Community of Nations calls upon us to restore peace and guide people in the rejection of war.
In this regard, I would like to recall a passage from the speech of the President of the Italian Republic, Sergio Mattarella, Supreme Commander of our Armed Forces, during his recent meeting with young Italian officers at the United Nations: “It is therefore essential, according to Italy, to affirm clearly that the actions of the United Nations are and remain the most effective instrument for resolving tensions, disputes, and difficulties within the International Community.”
I also wish to greet and thank our fellow citizens who, thanks to the inclusive outreach of Father Portarulo, have been gathering regularly in this beautiful Basilica.
November 4 commemorates, with renewed solidarity, the end of World War I, a conflict that scarred and devastated all of Europe. It was an immense challenge for the many who, from every corner of Italy, courageously and selflessly fulfilled the dream of the Italian Risorgimento to unify the nation.
For this reason, Italians celebrate today as National Unity Day and, at the same time, pay tribute to the Armed Forces, whose dedication and contributions enabled Italy to become and remain a united, free, and democratic state.
For many decades now, our military personnel, like those of many other United Nations member countries, have been committed to ensuring peace and security in numerous areas around the world. They do so with extraordinary professionalism and generosity, with a spirit of humanity that earns them appreciation, especially from the people in the regions where they are deployed.
To all those who, over the years, have given their lives or sacrificed their physical and mental well-being, and to their families who have unconditionally supported their choice to serve their country and the International Community, we extend our respectful thoughts and boundless gratitude.
In expressing once again my thankfulness to all of you for choosing to share this solemn occasion with us, I would like to conclude by mentioning once more the words of our President, last November 4 in Sardinia, in Cagliari: “At the core of the commitment of the Armed Forces is the oath taken to the Flag… to fulfill with discipline and honor the public duties entrusted to each one. Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Carabinieri, Finance Police, and Civil Defense Personnel, your daily work is essential for a secure and peaceful future of our Community and the broader International Community. The Italian Republic is grateful to you. To each of you and your families, I extend a warm greeting.”
This commemoration not only honors those who have fallen and those who continue to serve Italy with dedication, but it also strengthens the unbreakable bond between Italians at home and those abroad, like the New York community, who carry Italian values and traditions across the world. On November 4, Italy remembers and commemorates its fallen heroes and the Armistice of Villa Giusti, which took effect on November 4, 1918, allowing Italians to reclaim Trento and Trieste, thereby completing the process of national unification begun in the era of the Risorgimento.
Today, we especially honor all those who, even at a young age, sacrificed their lives for ideals of country and duty—values that remain unchanged through time for the service members of the past and those who serve today.
