ROME -- The celebration across Italy commenced Friday for the National Day of Unity and Armed Forces Day with the traditional flypast over Piazza Venezia in the Italian capital, as president Mattarella hailed the work of the forces throughout the trauma of the recent earthquake and also the migrant crisis on Italian shores.

 President of Italy, Sergio Mattarella, paid respects to the fallen at the Altar of the Fatherland with the laying of the wreath for the unknown soldier.

 Mattarella was joined by the Minister of Defence, Roberta Pinotti, and the head of the National State of Defence, Claudio Graziano, as the national anthem sounded. The mayor of Rome, Virginia Raggi, and president of the Lazio region, Nicola Zingaretti, were also present.

 In front of the Altar of the Fatherland, more than 1,000 men and women of the Armed Forces lined up, along with hundreds of students from Roman schools, to remember Nov. 4, 1918 -- the end of the First World War in Italy.

 A military parachutist, Giuseppe Tresoldi, touched down in the centre of Piazza Venezia with a three-colour flag of 250 metres squared. Meanwhile, the National Acrobatics Patrol flew overhead of the ceremony, drawing out the three colours of the Italian flag in the sky over Rome.

 The commemorative day of Nov. 4 is celebrated over the entire nation in ceremonies across 28 towns and cities. Military buildings and museums are allowed open to the public.

 Matteo Renzi, Italian prime minister, said when talking to military officers, “This ceremony has been the most beautiful of all. I have loved it even more than usual.” Before leaving Piazza Venezia, Renzi greeted the wounded war veterans. Among these was Gianfranco Paglia, lieutenant general and ex member of parliament.

 In a message from Mattarella, sent from the Quirinale (presidential palace), the president talked of the “women and men in uniform who today, far from the devastating wars of the previous century, serve the country with the same values of loyalty, duty and humanity, pertinent to our history.”

 He then went on to discuss the crippling earthquakes which recently struck the nation, stating, “The terrible earthquake, which devastated entire communities of central Italy, has put under the spotlight the immediate and fundamental contribution of the Armed Forces and Civil Protection coordination in assisting our affected citizens,” further elaborating on the work of such forces regarding the current migrant crisis, stating, “With generosity and selflessness, our military continues to save lives in the Mediterranean, and this deserves high recognition.”

 Mattarella also referred to the role of the Italian forces within international peace efforts, giving an extra mention to those out on missions overseas.

 The president’s statement concluded, “Long live the Armed Forces, long live the Republic!”

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