Italian immigrant and last hairy to disappear, Lazare Ponticelli had received on March 17, 2008 a state funeral at the Invalides in the presence of the highest authorities of the Republic and academician Max Gallo, who had delivered his eulogy. The centenary had accepted this ceremony on one condition: that it be simple and dedicated to all the dead of the First World War.
In a few months, thanks to his family, the former legionnaire will also be honored in what will become the first national monument to Italian immigrants. A building that will be built in Nogent-sur-Marne, the city of the Ritals of Cavanna, where a quarter of the population is of Italian origin and where chance wants that Ponticelli worked before 1914.
500,000 euros raised
Work has already begun at the eastern entrance to the city, at the foot of the railway viaduct that had been built by many workers from La Botte. Of the approximately 600,000 euros needed for the project, supported by the Consulate General of Italy...
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