U.S. service members and families joined commemorative events with Italian partner communities

VICENZA, Italy - Each year on Nov. 4, Italians come together to celebrate Giorno delle Forze Armate, Italian Armed Forces Day, a day of national unity to commemorate the Allied victory in World War I, and to pay tribute to the Italian Armed Forces, past and present. November 4 marks the anniversary of the armistice of Villa Giusti in 1918, which ended World War I on the Italian front.

Last week, U.S. service members and families joined commemorative events with Italian partner communities including the ones in downtown Vicenza, Isola Vicentina, Castelnovo and Thiene.

VICENZA - U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa Commander Maj. Gen. Andrew Gainey and U.S. Army Garrison Italy Commander Col. Scott Horrigan joined Italian leaders in a ceremony honoring Italian Armed Forces Day and National Unity Day in Vicenza. The commemoration included a solemn holy mass, a military parade, a wreath laying event and a firefighter demonstration. Adding a patriotic touch, local students provided musical performances, filling the observance with a spirit of unity and shared respect for service and sacrifice.

ISOLA VICENTINA - On Nov. 4, U.S. Army Lt. Col. Jae Marquis, Commander of the 509th Signal Battalion, joined Dr. Francesco Gonzo, Mayor of Isola Vicentina, in a ceremony honoring Italian Armed Forces Day and National Unity Day. The commemoration included a solemn holy mass followed by a wreath laying event at the War Memorial Monuments of Ignago and Torreselle, the Monument to the Fallen of Isola Vicentina, and the Castelnovo War Memorial Monument.

THIENE – On Nov. 3, during a commemoration for Italian Armed Forces Day, U.S. Army Capt. Melissa Nery and 1st Lt. Anh Tran from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, U.S. Army Garrison Italy, joined Thiene Mayor Gianantonio Michelusi and Lt. Col. Tommaso Tessari, executive officer to the Senior Italian Officer. The commemoration included a solemn holy mass and a wreath laying event honoring the Fallen Warriors of WWI. Several people gathered in Piazza Chilesotti to celebrate the event.