Arilicense Alpini Shelter Inauguration Highlights Community Solidarity

All united in solidarity. Words that, together with volunteering, served as the guiding theme of the speeches delivered during the official inauguration on Sunday morning of the new shelter of the Gruppo Alpini Arilicense.

The first acknowledgments for what has been achieved by the Penne Nere could only come from the mayor, “for the commitment shown in recovering what history has left us.”
“Without their help,” said Umberto Chincarini, “it would have been difficult for the terms and the will of the citizens to be respected, so a heartfelt thank you.”

In the inner courtyard of the Palleria, a building owned by the Municipality restored to its former splendor, there were primarily them: the Alpini, not only from Verona but also from Mantua and Trento, represented by about thirty banners lined up beside the field altar, where Father Claudio Liuti celebrated the mass, who became, for the occasion, pulpit for the speeches of Vice President of the Region Angelo Fiorin, President of the Province Aleardo Merlin, and the President of the ANA section of Verona.

Speeches and appeals

The latter, Alfonso Ercole, did not miss the opportunity to appeal to public authorities to intervene so that a body like the Alpini does not cease to exist.

“It would,” he emphasized, “be like taking the son away from the mother.”

An effort carried out by the Arilicense Group with the decisive help of the Region, which “is a demonstration,” highlighted Angelo Fiorin, “of how values can be turned into concrete achievements,” and so the hope to continue along this path.

Commitment and symbolism

Personally connected to the city of Peschiera, for having been the municipal secretary for years, Aleardo Merlin emphasized “the tenacity, perseverance, and will” of those who, with the help of the municipal administration, worked to restore the former Austria Palleria.

In his homily, the chaplain pointed out that for the Alpini, the shelter is “a place of love, heart, solidarity, and generosity.”

Ceremonies and memories

Present at the ceremony, around the large tricolor supported by the ANA Group of Lazise, were the ANA choir of Peschiera, which performed during the mass, and a large group from the Fire Brigade of the Lower Lake section with their splendid Newfoundland dogs.

The ceremony, coordinated by the president of the Arilicense Alpini Luciano Gianello, also included the blessing and the presentation of a new inflatable boat to the Civil Protection, arrived through the contribution of the Region, and the placement of a plaque commemorating the work completed with the restoration of the Palleria, with a hall dedicated to Luigi Gianello, who for 26 years was head of the Peschiera Alpini section.

Before the ribbon-cutting and the official lunch in the new shelter, the cortege, led by the Peschiera musical band, reached Lungolago Carducci where a wreath was placed at the war memorial of all conflicts.