Firefighters with the Vigili del Fuoco of Pordenone, Italy and the 31st Fighter Wing fire department from Aviano Air Base placed a memorial wreath at the Piazza Ellero dei Mille, Pordenone, during the formal opening ceremony of the 17th annual Italian-American Frienship Festival that took place Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018, in the city of Pordenone, Italy. (Norman Llamas/Stars and Stripes)
Firefighters with the Vigili del Fuoco of Pordenone, Italy and the 31st Fighter Wing fire department from Aviano Air Base placed a memorial wreath at the Piazza Ellero dei Mille, Pordenone, during the formal opening ceremony of the 17th annual Italian-American Frienship Festival that took place Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018, in the city of Pordenone, Italy. (Norman Llamas/Stars and Stripes)
Firefighters with the Vigili del Fuoco of Pordenone help a child put out a mock fire during the 17th annual Italian-American Frienship Festival that took place Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018, in the city of Pordenone, Italy. (Norman Llamas/Stars and Stripes)
A firefighter with the Vigili del Fuoco of Pordenone shows the cabin of a fire truck during the 17th annual Italian-American Frienship Festival that took place Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018, in the city of Pordenone, Italy. (Norman Llamas/Stars and Stripes)
An member of the canine unit of the 31st Fighter Wing's security forces, Aviano Air Base, Italy, addresses a group of people during a military working dog demonstration that was held at the XX Settembre piazza, Pordenone. The demonstration was part of the 17th annual Italian-American Friendship Festival that took place Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018, in the city of Pordenone. (Norman Llamas/Stars and Stripes)
A firefighter with the 31st Fighter Wing fire department helps a child try on a small fire fighters' oxygen tank during the 17th annual Italian-American Frienship Festival that took place Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018, in the city of Pordenone, Italy. (Norman Llamas/Stars and Stripes)
PORDENONE, Italy - The 17th annual Italian-American Friendship Festival drew hundreds Saturday to a celebration and memorial in the largest city nearest Aviano Air Base.
This year’s festival included sporting events in soccer, basketball and volleyball featuring players from both countries. Additionally, firefighters from the 31st Fighter Wing and the Vigili del Fuoco of Pordenone organized events such as fire truck exhibitions and an arrangement of vehicles that were displayed in a protected area for children who wanted to try their hand at seeing what it's like to be a firefighter. The military canine unit of the wing’s security forces also set up a demonstration with trained dogs.
During the formal opening ceremony, which took place at the Piazza Ellero dei Mille, firefighters helped raise both the Italian and American flags as well as lay a memorial wreath.
The event was originally started by the Honorary Squadron Commander Association to honor the lives lost during the 9/11 terrorist attacks and has evolved into an annual celebration of the close friendship between the Italian and the American communities around the Aviano Air Base.
