Military Associations Restore Memorial Avenue in San Martino After Tornado Damage

The conscription service has now been abolished, but the social commitment of the military associations, particularly that of the Alpini, remains strong.

By the end of March, work was completed in San Martino to make the access avenue to the chapel, which houses the remains of many fallen soldiers from the Risorgimento Battle of June 24, 1859, more presentable.

The avenue had been destroyed by a tornado last summer. The president of the «San Martino e Solferino» association, Fausto Fondrieschi, sought help from the Desenzano Combatants section to restore the avenue and repair the damaged monuments.

Solidarity and Restoration Works

The chain of solidarity for the area’s recovery later involved Leonardo Lunari, president of the Desenzano Bersaglieri section, and the Alpini of San Martino and Pozzolengo.

The work, which began in November, was completed in record time. An intervention carried out, in the spirit of the feathered infantrymen, was executed at a «fast gait».

The nearly daily efforts of former Bersaglieri and Alpini have restored a dignified appearance to the access avenue leading to the ossuary and the surrounding areas of the chapel.

Volunteering and the Value of Solidarity

The sensitivity demonstrated on this occasion, as well as others, has confirmed the value that retired military personnel continue to show in volunteer activities.

A valuable reservoir that the abolition of conscription could, over time, dry up.