Lacco Ameno Pays Tribute to Its Fallen Soldiers

Dates and anniversaries are part of a country's history and, at the same time, preserve the memory of its communities and their sense of responsibility in defending values and rights. November 4 marks the journey towards national unity and commemorates the sacrifice of those who lost their lives in the conflicts that shaped our history.

On the occasion of National Unity and Armed Forces Day, the Municipality of Lacco Ameno is organising a commemorative ceremony to pay tribute to the Fallen and remember the contribution made by so many Italians to the history of our Nation.

The event will take place on Wednesday, November 4, at 11 a.m. at the Basilica of Santa Restituta. Following the religious service, the commemoration will continue at the War Memorial near the Town Hall Tower, where a laurel wreath will be laid.

The ceremony will also be dedicated to the memory of the 16 soldiers from Lacco Ameno who fell during the First World War and the 17 who lost their lives in the Second World War. Thirty-three men, sons of this community, who left their homes and families and never returned. Their names are part of our town's history and represent a wound that time has not erased.

On November 4, 1918, the Armistice of Villa Giusti came into force, marking the end of hostilities between Italy and the Austro-Hungarian Empire and allowing Trento and Trieste to be reunited with the national territory. This marked a fundamental milestone in the process of Italian unification that had begun with the Risorgimento.

Three years later, on November 4, 1921, the Unknown Soldier was laid to rest at the Altare della Patria in Rome, a symbol that still represents all soldiers who fell in battle and remained unidentified.

This anniversary retains a significance that also speaks to the present day. The new institutional campaign launched by the Ministry of Defence for November 4 recalls this through the message: "Armed Forces Defending Our Freedom."

It is a reminder of the daily commitment of the Armed Forces and the Guardia di Finanza to the security and stability of the country, both at home and through international missions. Their work includes surveillance and security operations, research and development, cybersecurity, innovation and investment in the future.

The Mayor of Lacco Ameno, Senator Domenico De Siano, emphasised the importance of this anniversary:

"November 4 is a day that invites us to look back on our history with respect and awareness. Behind the name of every fallen soldier there is a life, a family and a community that has preserved their memory. Lacco Ameno, too, paid a painful price in the two World Wars, with 33 of its sons who never returned home.

Remembering them is a responsibility we owe to future generations. Freedom, peace and national unity are values that must be safeguarded and defended every day.

On this anniversary, which reminds us of the meaning of freedom and the true sense of belonging, I wish to express my gratitude to all the women and men of the Armed Forces and the Guardia di Finanza, who serve our country with professionalism and a strong sense of duty, protecting its security and contributing to the defence of peace, including through international missions."

The commemorative ceremony organised by the Municipality and the local administration of Lacco Ameno is rooted in these values. Remembering those who lost their lives in war means acknowledging the human cost of conflict and understanding just how precious peace, freedom and national unity are.

For the community of Lacco Ameno, preserving the memory of its Fallen means building a bridge between past and present and ensuring that their names do not become merely inscriptions on a monument. It means taking responsibility for keeping their memory alive and passing it on to future generations, so that they may understand the history from which they come and appreciate the value of the rights and freedoms they enjoy today.

November 4 will be a moment of reflection and gratitude: an opportunity to remember the Fallen of our community and all those who continue to serve our country in the Armed Forces.