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Nonno- Domenico Antonio Rulli
Fante caporale, 125 Reggimento, Brigata Spezia
Born March 20,1886 in Roccamorice
Died July 11,1916 at Forte Interrotto, Region of Veneto, Italy

Insigna of “La Spezia” Infantry Brigade

2/08/09
Bonnie Rulli
rocalana@optionsdsl.ca

"Finding Nonno"

After visiting Italy for the first time in 1992, I became interested in researching my husband’s family history. I had been researching my own family genealogy for over 20 years. The rich culture and sometimes colourful family history (stories) combined with the stunning location nestled in the mountainous region of Abruzzo made the prospect of discovering family history there exciting. The Rulli family had come to Canada in 1959 and my husband (Donato) Dan was the first of the family to ever return to his homeland. I found the town of Roccamorice very intriguing and wanted to find out as much as I could.

In my search of old Roccamorice records, I found information on Dan's grandfather Domenico Antonio Rulli, who had died in World War I. Up until then we knew very little and stories surrounding his death were mainly speculation that were handed down through the last generation. He had died when Dan’s father, (Antonio) was only 10 months old. I found later that he had died at Forte Interrotto in Northern Italy. As we were returning to Italy for the 4th time in 2007 I decided it was time to find Nonno Rulli. I began scouring the internet and found a website called "La Grande Guerra". I sent a query to the host and was answered almost immediately by Alessandro Gualtieri who created the website because of his passion for the great war. He was very helpful in telling me where to write for records about nonno.

We were able to find out that he died from gunshot wounds July 11,1916 and was buried at Monte Rasta. Unfortunately, Allied Bombing had destroyed the cemetery and the bodies of the interned soldiers during World War II. Alessandro suggested that possibly his body had been moved to the Sacrario Militare del Leiten (built by Mussolini in 1938) at Asiago along with 60,000 other soldiers who died in that area of the "Altopiano di Sette Comuni". Many emails were exchanged between the two of us and we arranged to meet in Asiago on September 1.

Town of Camporovere on the Altopiano. The small white spot on the top of the hill is Forte Interrotto.

Alessandro took us on a very informative tour of the Sacrario but Nonno Rulli was not there. That evening he and his wife Cristina, his inlaws- Ivana and Cesare and 2 friends took us out for supper. However, the next day he said he had a surprise for us.

Alessandro Gualtieri, Dan, Bonnie and friend Joe Addario in front of the Sacrario

At the Museo della Grande Guerra in the Comune di Roana e di Canove a group of dignitaries including the surrounding town mayors and reporters and journalists and local people gathered for a little ceremony with Alessandro as the host. It was a memorial service for Domenico Antonio Rulli.

Poster that was posted around the nearby towns.

Some of the local dignitaries who attended-Dottor Alberto Zanca, Alessandro Gualtieri, Giancarlo Albertin, Dottor Romano Canalia, owner of the Great War Museum of Canove, and Roberto Tortora from the Municipality of Canove.

Roberto Tortora, from the Municipality of Canove, Asiago reading his speech

Three pennants from the local fante (infantrymen) Alpini were presented to Dan from the local mayors. There were several moving speeches about the ultimate sacrifice paid by the soldiers and their families, which culminated in returning Italy to a land of peace. A copy of a diary, written by one of the generals in the great war in that area was given to Dan by Giovanni Dalle Fusine. * Giovanni and Alessandro have written a new book entitled-"Dal Piave Alla Prigionia". It contains the diary of Settiamo Damiani who recorded daily happenings from 1914-1919 while he served as a soldier in the great war.

Dottor Lucio Spagnolo from the Comunita’ Montana Spettabile Reggenza speaking.

Dan being presented with a pennant from Vittorino Frigo and the Gruppo Alpini Canove.

Dottor Marco Ambrosini, President Sezione Fanti Altopiano 7 Comuni, presenting the diary to Dan.

Ezio Pesavento playing the last salute.

During the highlight of the service a small group of young men who were formally dressed as infantrymen of that period performed a gun salute and then a small procession was made to the local town square in Canove where a large bouquet of flowers was laid in tribute on the War Memorial monument.

Squares of polenta being heated on the fire.

A small reception that included a tasty meal of pasta, polenta, cheese and salami and of course wine was held at the small hall beside the museo.

Dan being presented yet another pennant from the Sezione di Padova of Associazione Nazionale Alpini.

Members of some of the local alpini associations enjoying their meal and singing songs together.

Just a few of the items to be seen inside the museum. All items in the museum were found on the hills and mountains surrounding the area of the altopiano.

The museum at Roana/Canove. The ceremony was held in front of the museum.

Alessandro with his wife Cristina and his inlaws- Ivana and Cesare.

Following the reception, Dan and I were taken to see Forte Interrotto on top of Monte Interrotto where nonno died. We discovered that the local government has started the process of restoring the fort, but have a long way to go.

A few photos showing the devastation and the rebuilding of the Fort.

Although we never found Nonno it was a wonderful visit to remember with some very gracious and warm people who will be lifelong friends. The people of the Altopiano embraced us and the idea of my husband’s fallen grandfather. We believe that they helped us accomplish some form of closure for our family history and we will be forever grateful. Mille Grazie Alessandro! None of this would have been possible without you. Also a big thank you to our son Dan who helped write this story.

To read about our visit in the local newspapers of the Altopiano- click here.

To read about our visit and look at pictures and video of our visit on Alessandro's website- click here.

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