SETAF‑AF Soldier welcomes annual trade show, reflects on 9/11 experience

GRISIGNANO DI ZOCCO, Italy - "It was an unbelievable moment," said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Rafael Camporese, operations officer with the Security Cooperation Directorate, U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF). "Since my father had access to Ground Zero, he gave me a tour of the site, and I saw the damage and destruction firsthand."

Camporese reflected on his 9/11 experience while standing before local leaders and residents at the opening of the Fiera del Soco, sharing how his life has been shaped by two communities, New York and Italy, and by one of the most defining moments in modern American history.

"Returning to Grisignano instantly brings back wonderful memories from when I performed at this same fair a few years ago with a dance school," Camporese said. "Sharing that stage and feeling the warmth of this community was unforgettable. It is a true honor to be here among you again for this year's ceremonial opening."

The historic trade fair is a key regional event that brings together local businesses, civic leaders and community organizations to celebrate tradition and strengthen economic ties.

For Camporese, the event was more than a ribbon cutting. It was an opportunity to reflect on how certain experiences strengthen a community, even a whole nation.

"I grew up in New York City, and the memory of 9/11 will stay with me forever, especially when I think of my father, an Italian American born in Italy who helped rebuild the communications network at the World Trade Center after 9/11," he said.

Camporese grew up in Brooklyn, commuting daily to high school in Manhattan, just a mile and a half from the Twin Towers. That proximity made the events of Sept. 11, 2001, deeply personal. At the time, he was a senior at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, part of the first class to graduate directly into wartime since Vietnam.

"When the attacks occurred, West Point immediately locked down," he said.

Two weeks later, cadets were allowed to leave, and Camporese returned home to Brooklyn. His father, a technician with a New York telephone company, had been directed to help restore the communications network destroyed when the towers collapsed.

"Seeing the devastation was an experience that shaped my understanding of service, sacrifice and resilience," Camporese said.

Just months later, in December 2002, Camporese arrived in Vicenza, Italy, for his first duty assignment with the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team. He deployed and parachuted into Iraq on March 26, 2003, as part of the United States' global war on terrorism. The connection between New York, Italy and military service became a defining thread in his life.

"Yesterday's 9/11 commemoration reminds us of the solidarity shown by friends and partners around the world, including here in Italy," said Camporese.

He has maintained that connection throughout his career, returning to Vicenza in multiple roles, including as a chemical officer with the 772nd Civil Support Team, a member of two Digital Liaison Detachments and as an intelligence officer with the 207th Military Intelligence Brigade.

In his current capacity with SETAF-AF, the focus is security cooperation, where he often partners with the Italian Armed Forces to support multinational training and community initiatives. At the Fiera del Soco, Camporese emphasized how shared experiences, whether moments of celebration or moments of profound loss, bind communities together.

"Being here today reminds me of that same strength and the deep bond that unites our communities," he said.

Camporese's remarks highlighted the strong U.S.-Italian partnership and continued commitment to the U.S. Army Garrison Italy Community Alliance Program, which pairs locally stationed units with municipal leaders to support regional events such as the Fiera del Soco.

"The Soco Fair is more than an event. It is a celebration of identity, heritage and the welcoming spirit that defines this community," he said. "The fair's longevity reflects the strength of Grisignano's people and the pride passed from one generation to the next."

Camporese thanked Mayor Elisa Bastianello, President Marcello Rosano, and the volunteers who sustain the tradition each year. As the ribbon was cut, he encouraged attendees to celebrate not only the fair's history but also the enduring ties between Italian and American communities.

"As we open this year's fair, let us celebrate together, confident that the bonds between our communities will continue to deepen," he said.

The ceremony demonstrated how traditions like the Fiera del Soco help communities honor their heritage while remembering moments like 9/11, defining moments for both nations that continue to strengthen the ties between them.

About SETAF-AF

U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) prepares Army forces, executes crisis response, enables strategic competition and strengthens partners to achieve U.S. Army Europe and Africa and U.S. Africa Command campaign objectives.

Follow us on DVIDS and sign up for Newswire Alerts.