Città di Castello: solemn ceremony on the 15th anniversary of the tragic death of Carabinieri Colonel Valerio Gildoni, Gold Medal for Military Valor "in Memory".

In Città di Castello (PG), the solemn commemoration of the 15th anniversary of the death of Carabinieri Colonel Valerio GILDONI took place, who tragically lost his life in the performance of his duty in Bosco di Nanto (VI).
The Officer, originally from Città di Castello, where he was born on 2 January 1969 and where his family still lives, at the time Commander of the Operations Department of the Provincial Command of Vicenza, had intervened at the home of an elderly local man who, after having fired a shot at a Carabinieri patrol, had barricaded himself inside.

Aware of the risk to which he was exposing himself, Col. Valerio Gildoni had attempted to convince the man to surrender, but was fatally wounded by a rifle shot.

For his heroic act, he was awarded the “Gold Medal for Military Valor in Memory”, with the following motivation:
“With firm determination and exemplary initiative, together with other soldiers, he began a delicate work of persuasion against a man who, in a state of psychological alteration, had barricaded himself inside his home, exploding a gunshot in the address of a Carabinieri patrol that had previously intervened. Having realized the situation of extreme danger also for the safety of the others present, with outstanding courage and aware of the serious and obvious risk, without using the weapon supplied, he did not hesitate to approach the deranged person to establish direct contact and convince him to give up, being treacherously hit by a rifle shot which caused his death. Shining example of elite military virtues and very high sense of duty, pushed to the extreme sacrifice. Bosco di Nanto (VI) 17 July 2009.”

The ceremony, which was attended by his wife Barbara, his mother Paola and his brother Don Alberto, parish priest, took place in the presence of the Deputy General Commander of the Carabinieri and Interregional Carabinieri Commander “Podgora” Gen. CA Salvatore Luongo, the Prefect of Perugia Dr. Armando Gradone, the Vice President of the Umbria Region, Dr. Roberto Morroni, the civil, military and religious authorities of the Province, the Mayor Dr. Luca Secondi and the relatives of other military personnel of the province who fell in service.

Together with them the Commander of the Carabinieri Legion “Umbria” Gen. B. Gerardo Iorio, the Provincial Commander of Perugia Col. Sergio Molinari and the Commander of the local Company Maj. Giovanni Palermo.

The event experienced three significant moments: in Piazza Matteotti – Loggiato Gildoni, deployment of the guard of honor near the plaque placed in memory of the Officer; at the Cathedral of Saints Florido and Amanzio, with the celebration of the Holy Mass, officiated by HE Monsignor Domenico Cancian, Bishop Emeritus of Città di Castello, Don Alberto Gildoni (brother of the Fallen) and by the joint military chaplain Don Giuseppe Maria Balducci; Monumental Cemetery, deposition of a floral composition on the tomb of Colonel Gildoni.

The Carabinieri paid homage to the memory of its young Hero with the participation of a representation of soldiers in the various ranks of the Città di Castello Company, the provincial sections of the National Carabinieri Association and the Combatant and Weapons Associations.
The commemoration was enriched by a significant presence of citizens, gathered in emotional contemplation.