Memorial Plaque To The Bersagliera In The Basilica Of Saint Stephen In Bologna, Italy. Editorial Photo

Pictured is a memorial plaque to the Bersagliera in the Basilica of Saint Stephen in Bologna, Italy. The Bersaglieri are a corps of the Italian Army originally created by General Alessandro La Marmora on 18 June 1836 to serve in the Piedmontese Army, later to become the Royal Italian Army. They have always been a high-mobility light infantry unit of marksmen, and can still be recognized by the distinctive wide brimmed hat that they wear decorated with black capercaillie feathers. The feathers are usually applied to their combat helmets. Another distinctive trait of the Bersaglieri is the fast jog pace they keep on parades, instead of marching. The memorial plaque reads 'The quickest to turn into crosses, wear the color of death. But I am the most beautiful expression of life. A companion plaque details the number who have fallen, been mutilated or wounded since the founding of the Bersagliera in 1836.