Australia's Federation Guard
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Australia's Federation Guard in Rome Military Parade
A contingent of ADF personnel from Australia’s Federation Guard participated in the Festa della Repubblica (Republic Day) military parade in Rome.
Held every June, the day commemorates the referendum in which the Italian people decided on a new form of government following the Second World War and the fall of Fascism.
The parade is presided over by the President of the Italian Republic in his role as Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces and was attended by over 80 foreign delegates including Her Excellency the Governor-General of Australia Ms Quentin Bryce.
Sergeant Major of the Federation Guard Warrant Officer Class Two Mick Dewar marched in the parade as part of the Australian Flag Party.
“We were one of many international delegations carrying their national flag through the parade and we marched through the centre of Rome past the Colosseum, along the Fori Imperiali, past the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and saluted the Italian President and our Governor General along the way,” Warrant Officer Dewar said.
He said that it was an honour to represent Australia during such an important event in Italy.
“It’s an absolutely amazing feeling to part of such a huge military parade – there were over 4000 troops marching this morning and we got to march past the Colosseum and the ancient ruins of Rome,” Warrant Officer Dewar said.
“Being able to march in front of so many people and the Governor General in Italy was an experience I’ll never forget.”
Australia's Federation Guard is an ADF unit, comprising of members from the Royal Australian Navy, the Australian Army and the Royal Australian Air Force, that provides ceremonial support for the Australian Commonwealth.
