Gragnano will inaugurate and bless a memorial plaque dedicated to the fallen of Nassiriya and to all those who died in peace operations. The ceremony is scheduled for Friday 25 September 2026, according to Metropolis Web.
The evening will begin at 19:00 with Mass at the parish of Sant'Erasmo. The unveiling and blessing of the plaque will follow in the adjacent public garden, the villetta beside the church in via Castellammare.
The programme is expected to include the raising of the flag, the unveiling and blessing of the plaque, and prayers for soldiers and Carabinieri.
The Fanfara dei Bersaglieri della Brigata Garibaldi is scheduled to take part, with a running display, protocol ceremony and closing concert.
Why Nassiriya is remembered
The Gragnano event links a local act of remembrance with the broader Italian commemoration of military and civilian personnel who died in international peace missions.
The attack at Nassiriya took place on 12 November 2003, according to Italy's Ministry of Defence. Nineteen Italians were killed: 12 Carabinieri, five Army personnel and two civilians.
What to expect on the evening
The reported order of events is:
- 19:00: Mass at the parish of Sant'Erasmo
- Unveiling and blessing of the plaque in the adjacent public garden
- Flag-raising, prayers for soldiers and Carabinieri, and musical participation by the Fanfara dei Bersaglieri della Brigata Garibaldi, including a closing concert
The report describes a planned ceremony. Details such as the exact wording of the plaque and the full list of attending officials are not confirmed in the sources acquired.
