Mantua: A special Valentine's Day for the Carabinieri, spent with a widow seeking company and comfort

On the day par excellence of the celebration of lovers, February 14th, Valentine's day, while everyone is hunting for red roses to give to their partner to seal the promise of eternal love, an unusual call arrives at 112.

It is a Carabiniere of Mantua to call his colleagues. It is not an emergency call, it is a report that, however, should not be underestimated.

Near Piazza Virgiliana, in Mantua, near the Carabinieri shooting range, there is a person old lady wandering around. Maybe she got lost.

The attention of the soldier, present near the shooting range because he was engaged with other colleagues in a shooting exercise, mixed with curiosity but also concern, makes the Carabiniere go towards this elderly person to check if everything is in order.

The elderly lady, born in Albania in 1937, speaks little Italian. She is disoriented, cold. It is not clear if she needs help.

The Carabiniere accompanies the lady inside the military range, where there is the presence of the Italian Red Cross personnel for medical assistance during the shooting exercise.

A professional nurse carries out a survey on her health conditions, decreeing that the sprightly 87enne is in good health.

In the meantime a crew from the Radiomobile Section of the Carabinieri of Mantua, that takes over the old lady. It's her, with a halting Italian, who asks the patrol to return home.

The caring Carabinieri accompany her in the nearby Piazza San Leonardo, where the lady lives in a modest apartment. Out of caution, the Carabinieri check the refrigerator to see if the lady has the necessary food.

While the attentive Carabinieri carry out these operations, the old woman takes one of them by the hand: he wants to talk. She feels lonely, she is a widow, she doesn't know who to spend Valentine's Day with.

The young Carabiniere hugs the lady, who could be his grandmother. He gives her a kiss, like everyone would do to their grandmother. He tries to reassure her and comfort her.The Carabiniere contacts the lady's children by telephone, but they do not live nearby and are busy at work.

The little old lady, with tears in her eyes, returns the kiss. She is happy. She is calm. She is serene. The young Carabiniere, after spending some time with the lady, wipes away the last tear that falls down her face, before taking his leave and resuming his work aboard the Gazelle, to ensure prompt intervention for those in need of help.

Another face of the classic Valentine's Day. The Carabiniere's love for his job and for others. The grandmother's love for the Carabiniere who comforted her and kept her company. That kiss and that authentic love that is worth more than a hundred red roses.

The Carabinieri have always been close to people. The Carabiniere is among the people and for the people. The Carabiniere, under the uniform, hides a big heart. Love for people, love for the work he does, love to perform actions that, at times, go beyond institutional duties. And this is the Carabiniere. Not just on Valentine's Day.