VP-40 Awarded for COMRELs

On Aug. 7, the City of Furci Siculo in the Messina province hosted an appreciation ceremony to thank Sigonella Patrol Squadron (VP) 40 volunteers who supported a beach cleanup in the city on June 28.

The event also included a panel on the history of Operation Husky, the successful World War II military campaign that resulted in the liberation of Sicily from Nazi-Fascist regime.

Panelists included college medical professors Cristina Tornali and Francesca Vardeu, Sicily’s and Sardinia’s regional delegates of the Academy of Sanitary Arts, and professor Ignazio Vecchio who represented the Italian Society of the History of Medicine. They also elaborated on military medicine during the war and on the longstanding tie of brotherhood and friendship between Italy and the United States,

Furci Siculo Mayor Matteo Francilia, who introduced the guests and presented the award to the Navy delegation, said, “I’m very grateful to the Sigonella volunteers who do their best every year to support our activities of protection and preservation of the marine environment through their Community Relations program.”

Greece Honorary Consul Arturo Bizzarro and Grand Chancellor of the Knights of Pythias Silvio Aliffi also attended the event. Aliffi reiterated that there are many bonds of friendship that connect the two countries in different ways as we share the mutual commitment to democracy.

(Photo courtesy of Town of Furci Siculo Press Office)