Italians, Americans celebrate 14th annual friendship festival

An Italian and U.S. Air Force firefighter hold a wreath during a ceremony at the American-Italian Friendship Festival, on Sept. 12, 2015, in Spilimbergo, Italy. The festival allowed Team Aviano an opportunity to strengthen bonds with their host nation community. The event also included several demonstrations, food, sports tournaments, music and a ceremony. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Evelyn Chavez/Released)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Italians, Americans celebrate 14th annual friendship festival

A young karate student demonstrates fundamentals during the Italian-American Friendship Festival, on Sept. 12, 2015, in Spilimbergo, Italy. The festival allowed Team Aviano an opportunity to strengthen bonds with their host nation community. The event also included several demonstrations, food, sports tournaments, music and a ceremony. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Evelyn Chavez/Released)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Italians, Americans celebrate 14th annual friendship festival

Italian and American participants stand during a ceremony at the 14th Annual Italian-American Friendship Festival, on Sept. 12, 2015, in Spilimbergo, Italy. The festival allowed Team Aviano an opportunity to strengthen bonds with their host nation community. The event also included several demonstrations, food, sports tournaments, music and a ceremony. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Evelyn Chavez/Released)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Italians, Americans celebrate 14th annual friendship festival

A U.S. Air Force Airman with the 31st Civil Engineer Squadron Italian holds the U.S. flag during a ceremony at the 14th Annual Italian-American Friendship Festival, on Sept. 12, 2015, in Spilimbergo, Italy. The festival allowed Team Aviano an opportunity to strengthen bonds with their host nation community. The event also included several demonstrations, food, sports tournaments, music and a ceremony. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Evelyn Chavez/Released)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Italians, Americans celebrate 14th annual friendship festival

Aviano Air Base and Italian community leaders salute the U.S. flag during a ceremony at the 14th Annual Italian-American Friendship Festival, on Sept. 12, 2015 in Spilimbergo, Italy. The festival allowed Team Aviano an opportunity to strengthen bonds with their host nation community. The event also included several demonstrations, food, sports tournaments, music and a ceremony. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Evelyn Chavez/Released)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Italians, Americans celebrate 14th annual friendship festival

Spectators gather around a karate demonstration during the Italian-American Friendship Festival, on Sept. 12, 2015, in Spilimbergo, Italy. The festival allowed Team Aviano an opportunity to strengthen bonds with their host nation community. The event also included several demonstrations, food, sports tournaments, music and a ceremony. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Evelyn Chavez/Released)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Italians, Americans celebrate 14th annual friendship festival

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Grey Tedford, 31st Civil Engineer firefighter, listens during a ceremony at the American-Italian Friendship Festival, on Sept. 12, 2015, in Spilimbergo, Italy. The festival allowed Team Aviano an opportunity to strengthen bonds with their host nation community. The event also included several demonstrations, food, sports tournaments, music and a ceremony. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Evelyn Chavez/Released)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Barre Seguin, 31st Fighter Wing commander, speaks during a ceremony at the American-Italian Friendship Festival, on Sept. 12, 2015, in Spilimbergo, Italy. The festival allowed Team Aviano an opportunity to strengthen bonds with their host nation community. The event also included several demonstrations, food, sports tournaments, music and a ceremony. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Evelyn Chavez/Released)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res

Italians, Americans celebrate 14th annual friendship festival

Published Sept. 14, 2015
By Staff Sgt. Evelyn Chavez
31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs

AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy -- The 14th annual Italian-American Friendship Festival was held Sept. 12, 2015, in Spilimbergo, Italy, to allow Team Aviano an opportunity to strengthen community bonds with their host nation. The day-long event included sports tournaments, music, food and a ceremony honoring the lives lost on 9/11 and in the fight against terrorism.