19/06/2024 - 160th Anniversary of the Founding of the Italian Red Cross

Tazio's teenage years passed peacefully, and in 1912-1913 he served his mandatory military service. Recalled in May 1915 due to the war against Austria, he served as a driver in the Royal Army, demonstrating remarkable skills in transporting wounded soldiers and officers. Shortly after the start of the First World War, the warring armies realized the unprecedented and shocking nature of the conflict, characterized by an enormous number of deaths and injuries. The need to quickly transfer thousands of wounded men from the front lines to field hospitals led to the creation of the vehicle we now know as the ambulance. The Royal Army established 96 motorized medical sections, and various international volunteer organizations, such as the International Red Cross and the American Field Service founded by Abram Piatt Andrew, provided transport vehicles and qualified drivers. The Italian Red Cross, founded in 1864, played a crucial role in this context.

In 1916, during a mission, Tazio went off the road due to a pothole, and the officer on board, a colonel, furiously told him, "Take my advice, give it up, driving is not for you."

These days, we are celebrating the 160th anniversary of the founding of the Italian Red Cross, an organization that continues to be vital in healthcare and humanitarian assistance.