"A special thought goes to our soldiers deployed in the Middle East where, by mandate of the United Nations and in the context of bilateral missions, they continue to ensure their contribution to the maintenance of peace, alleviating the suffering of the defenceless population in a dramatic humanitarian situation, promoting respect for international humanitarian law”. This is what the Head of State, Sergio Mattarella, said in a message to the Minister of Defense, Guido Crosetto, on the occasion of the Day of National Unity and the Armed Forces, which was observed yesterday. Crosetto accompanied the Head of State as he evaluated the units stationed in Piazza Venezia. The President of the Senate, Ignazio La Russa, the President of the Chamber, Lorenzo Fontana, the President of the Council, Giorgia Meloni, the President of the Constitutional Court, Augusto Antonio Barbera, and the chiefs of the Armed Forces and the Police were all in attendance at the Altare della Patria. "November 4 is a day to commemorate National Unity and pay tribute to the Armed Forces, whose accomplishments have aided in the development of Italy as a free, independent nation, guided by democratic principles and peace", Mattarella emphasizes. "A date that recalls distant events, wars, and brutal battles that caused damage and wounds in the society of the time". "The Republic", the President continues, "looks with respect and devotion at the path that has been able to construct a cohesive, united country, bearer of peace values in the international community, from the Risorgimento to the First World War, to the Liberation, to the choice of European and Atlantic solidarity. The Italian Army, Navy, Air Force, Carabinieri, and Guardia di Finanza are now deployed in defense of Italian society's freedoms, of the institutions desired by the sovereign people to protect each citizen's rights and are operating on national territory alongside the police forces. A difficult assignment in an international climate fraught with tensions that have risen following the Russian Federation's attack against Ukraine's independence".