OUR AMBROGINO D’ORO

Dear Friends,

Today was a great day for us all.
It is hard for me to find right words to express the feelings and the profound emotion I felt when my name was announced and the motivation for the award was read:

Paolo Pettinaroli: "Father of Lorenzo, one of the 118 victims of the Linate tragedy, is the soul and President of the 8 Ottobre Committee and the foundation with the same name. Immediately after the accident in 2001, the most serious in our history, he was able to unite and sustain the Italian and Scandinavian families during the long and drawn-out court process, working alongside institutions, not all of which were willing to cooperate to transform sorrow into hope. Committed to seeking truth and justice, testimony to a traumatic event that has forever changed Milan and the country, he has dedicated himself with exemplary generosity to a cause of vital importance for the entire international community: the safety of flights and airports, for the benefit of passengers and workers.”

I took the stage knowing deep within my heart that you were all with me, which profoundly moved me, because I represented you all and was going to receive OUR Ambrogino D’Oro.
Mayor Moratti did not formally shake my hand, but warmly embraced me, as did President Palmeri. The entire awards commission applauded as the award was presented, and that uninterrupted applause accompanied me from the moment my name was mentioned until I left the stage!

When I gazed out at the audience and saw all of you giving me a standing ovation, I could not hold back my tears. I raised the certificate and medal: that medal belongs to all of you. In that moment, I felt the love that Milan has for us.

I want to share this honor with the members of the 8 Ottobre Committee; the Executive Board, which is always very scrupulous and cooperative; the untiring members of our Technical Task Force; public and private institutions; honest and sincere politicians who have always helped us in the most difficult moments; and the media, which has always supported our efforts.

I also want to dedicate the Ambrogino d’Oro to my family: my wife Giovanna, Alessandro, Beatrice, and Silvia, for their unflagging support. I love them dearly.

Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.