La Sezione di Vercelli dei Bersaglieri ha 100 anni - Il ricordo di Giuseppe Paggi

The first thing we learned when we were still in diapers (and that's not just a figure of speech) was that "the Bersagliere has a hundred feathers, but the Alpine has only one." A little longer, a little more dark. Basic notions, yet indelible in the memory, considering that this song, perhaps a little sad, but very sweet, replaced the daily lullaby from birth to three years old. So—without false modesty—we were prepared for all the feathers that peacefully invaded Vercelli over these two days, Saturday, June 17th and Friday, June 18th, for an important anniversary, and not only in reference to the Corps' associative life (today it is an Infantry Specialty). Indeed, 2023 marks the centenary (June 22) of the founding of the Vercelli Section of the National Bersaglieri Association: the records record the name of Captain Santino Greppi, but naturally, he was surrounded by a whole group of comrades. The Corps was founded on June 18, but in 1836, on the initiative of Alessandro La Marmora, Captain of the Guards Regiment. The Vercelli Section is dedicated to the memory of one of the most illustrious sons of this land, a martyr in the First World War, having earned two bronze medals, a silver one, and, finally, on the day of his supreme sacrifice, the Gold Medal, like the previous ones for Military Valor, in addition to the War Merit Cross. His name is Giuseppe Paggi. Certainly, one of the names that resonate most often in the city. Because the street of the same name, now a busy thoroughfare that extends from Via Trino to the center, is dedicated to him. But few in Vercelli know his story, which speaks of a life cut short too soon by a bullet, while, wounded, on June 18, 1918, he was trying to hold his ground to protect his soldiers. It was the Battle of the Solstice, of Cà del Bosco. Giuseppe Paggi was born on December 18, 1890, in Sali Vercellese, where he grew up in a peasant family. Then came the "Great War," the final destination, for him as for many young people. *** The Vercelli branch of the Bersaglieri Army Association has over 100 members, representing half of all those in the province. Paolo Porreca, Secretary of the Branch and Regional Councilor of the Association, led every moment of the ceremonies over these two days. The president of the city association is Franco Talpo, while the provincial president is Giuseppe Serpetti of Borgo Vercelli. Also in attendance were national leaders, such as Honorary President, Lieutenant General Benito Pochesci, and regional president, Francesco Carrù. Among the illustrious members of the Vercelli chapter, we cannot forget the Honorable Renzo Franzo, always proud to have served his country as a Bersagliere. The two days in Vercelli were enlivened by the music provided by the Bersaglieri dell'Ossola Band, which performed on Saturday afternoon in the Piazza Cavour concert: our video captures various moments of the musical offerings of this highly skilled team, directed by Guido Tomà, and the Band's patron, Francesca Zanetta, also speaks to us about their experience.