31st FW, ITAF host memorial foot race

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Julius Delos Reyes
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  The 31st Fighter Wing and Italian air force's "Pagliano e Gori" Airport here collaborated in a joint effort to host Rosario Scarpolini Association's first memorial foot race July 18.

With the theme, "In the Airport ... For a Little Solidarity Walk," the 5K and 9k races are part of a fundraising effort for the Rosario Scarpolini Association, an Italian organization that provides free furnished apartments to families of needy patients during care at the Center for National Cancer Institute in Aviano, Italy.

"I have to thank the 31st Fighter Wing, especially the 31st Security Forces Squadron and 31st Force Support Squadron," said ITAF Col. Filippo Zampella, "Pagliano e Gori" Airport commander. "We couldn't have done it without them. Every time I ask the wing to support us, we always receive great help from them. It was wonderful."

Despite an earlier inclement weather, approximately 100 Italian and American runners participated in the race, which went through and around the base.

According to Italian runner Giovanni Iommi, he learned about the event from one of his friends. Mr. Iommi wanted to help the association by participating in the race.

"The race was good and well organized," Mr. Iommi said. "I am happy to participate in this event. Running here, it seems like a different world. It gave me a sensation of running somewhere else other than Italy. It's strange but good."

The charitable institution began when a group of Italian air force personnel decided to provide help to one of their colleagues, whose daughter was under the care of the Center for National Cancer Institute. In Nov. 11, 2009, a decision was made to name the organization in honor of ITAF Col. Rosario Scarpolini, a former base commander, who died in a motorcycle accident. As part of their effort, personnel would volunteer their time for the association.

"The association takes care of families of sick people," Colonel Zampella said. "We host these families because there is no place for them in the hospital, and it is not easy to find one in the hotels and other residences here because they are very expensive. We try to help them."

For more information about Rosario Scarpolini Association, visit their Web site at http://www.associazionerosarioscarpolini.org.