Soldiers hold first ever AFM Church Parade in Gozo

Gozitan soldiers held their first Church parade at the Gozo Cathedral today in what served as a farewell to Brigadier Carmel Vassallo and a welcome to the new commander, Colonel Martin Xuereb.

The event was organised by the Armed Forces of Malta's Chaplaincy and attended by around 90 Gozitan AFM personnel (including personnel stationed in Gozo) and some relatives.

Mass was concelebrated by Gozo Bishop Mgr Mario Grech and the military chaplain Fr Joe Meli.

In his homily, Mgr Grech thanked Brigadier Vassallo for helping direct the servicemen 'in their fight against the evils that corrupt society, such as human trafficking and substance abuse. He went on to wish him a happy retirement and expressed his best wishes to Col Xuereb.

The Bishop also praised the initiative of the AFM Chaplaincy to hold such a church parade, expressing his wish for similar events.

Also present for the activity was 1 Regiment's Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Mario Borg.

The personnel that form 1st Regiment's Gozo Company are based at Qortin Camp on the outskirts of Nadur. They total 30 soldiers under the command of Major Claudio Terribile.