On the 22nd Anniversary of the March on Rome
By Benito Mussolini
Legionaries!
Today, on October 28th, the anniversary of an event full of destinies for Italy and for the world, I have the honour of delivering the Battle Flag. I entrust it to you in the name of our innumerable glorious fallen men, whose memory you will respect in a manner worthy of soldiers, always and everywhere fulfilling your duty.
The flag of the Italian Social Republic is the symbol of our absolute faith in the salvation of the Fatherland; it is the pledge of our fidelity—no less absolute—towards our intrepid ally; it is the certainty of our victorious future. The flag is the soul of our souls.
By receiving it, you pledge a solemn oath that will never—I say never!—be stained by dishonour and cowardice, but will always be defended and consecrated by blood, in peace and in war.
Legionaries!
Meditate upon these words of mine, and ponder whether they are the guiding light in your life as Italians and as Fascists.
