On the twenty-second anniversary of the Nassiriya attack, the Carabinieri of Messina remembered second lieutenant Giovanni Cavallaro, originally from Torre Faro, among the 19 Italian victims of the massacre which occurred on 12 November 2003 in Iraq. The attack, which cost the lives of 12 carabinieri, 5 soldiers and 2 civilians, is commemorated every year on the “Day of remembrance of the military and civilian fallen in international peacekeeping missions”.
Cavallaro, born in Messina in 1956 and enlisted in the force in 1977, had served in the investigative departments of Turin and Asti, then taking part in several missions abroad. During the “Ancient Babylon” operation he died while carrying out his assignment in Iraq.
In 2005 he was awarded the Cross of Honor to victims of acts of terrorism and hostility in international missions, in recognition of the courage and high sense of duty demonstrated to the point of extreme sacrifice.
The commemoration ceremony took place at the Ganzirri Carabinieri station, named after him. In the presence of Lieutenant Colonel Marco Vatore and his son Diego Cavallaro, a wreath of flowers was placed in front of the plaque dedicated to the soldier, blessed by the chaplain Don Rosario Scibilia.