On September 30th Udine saw the 60th anniversary parade of the glorious “Julia” regiment which with its 30,000 participants meandered through the main streets of the town.
The “Julia” is part of the “Alpini”, the elite mountain division of the Italian Army (formed in 1872, the “Alpini” are the oldest active mountain infantry in the world. Currently, as being some of the best trained and best equipped mountain troops in the world, the “Alpini” are permanently engaged in Afghanistan.). The “Julia” itself was formed way back in 1926 and was given the name “Julia” in 1935. Its soldiers fought and had heavy losses in Greece (1940) and Russia (1942-43) and also Albania. The “Julia” would be used many years later in 1976 during the devastating earthquakes in the Udine area.
The festive occasion was also rather moving as old “Alpini” soldiers, too frail and old to walk alone, were paraded around on military jeeps. The female contingent also got a roaring round of applause by female spectators who lined the streets of Udine!
One of Udine`s main squares also hosted the “Alpini`s” latest military hardware, including anti-mine devices (on in particular, that got blown up in Afghanistan recently, costs 300,000 euros!). And naturally, given that this region of Italy ADORES (more than) one fine glass of vino and great food, it was also a wonderful occasion for many to eat and drink their merry hearts away in the company of old war-time comrades!
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