Italian Soldiers Given State Funeral

Six soldiers being accorded in death the highest official recognition – a state funeral.

The public applauding their service to Italy and as peacekeepers to the war in Afghanistan.

Thousands gathered inside and outside Rome’s St. Paul’s Basilica to honor the soldiers.

[Vincenzo Pelvi, Archbishop for Military]:
„They brought to the soul of the Italian people a sense of profound emotion and a wave of affection and admiration. The entire nation, even in this difficult time, has shown how firm the sense of solidarity and brotherhood is that characterizes our Italy.“

Those injured from the attack joined members of the government amongst the rows of mourners while Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi spoke quietly with relatives. He’s facing public pressure over Italy’s deployment in Afghanistan.

Even before these soldiers lost their lives one poll showed 58 percent of Italians wanted the troops home.

The six were killed when a suicide car bomber attacked their military convoy in Kabul on September 17. It is Italy’s worst loss of life in Afghanistan since its mission began.

Berlusconi has indicated that he plans a „strong reduction“ in Italy’s total deployment of just over three thousand in the country.

The debate will not likely lessen but on Monday the mood was of friends and family saying farewell.

(NTDTV)