The Alpini were out in force this afternoon at the SS.Madonna della Neve, the Chiesina degli Alpini at Palmente on the road to Loppia just outside Barga. The chiesina used to be a sorry ruin but has been restored over the past few years and is now once more being used by the community.
The Alpini were there as the restored chapel is now the Chiesina of the Alpini – it is their chapel.
Alpini from across the province arrived to raise the National Flag and listen to the prayer for the Madonna of the snow from Don Stefano.
The ANA (Associazione Nazionale Alpini or National Alpini Association) is a registered society representing the “Veci” or former members of the Alpini corps. As the “Veci” see themselves as merely “on leave” rather than veterans, the ANA is colloquially known to be the 10° Alpini Regiment. Since 1920 every year ANA organizes a national reunion the “Veci”. Hundreds of thousands of Alpini congregate with family and friends to an Italian city for a weekend in the late spring to celebrate, drink heavily and have a good time while remembering old times. – source wikipedia