One of Giovanni Guareschi's (1908-1968) short stories—wonderfully told and popular far beyond Italy's borders—about his two protagonists, "Don Camillo" and "Peppone," is titled "AUTUMN." Although most of his stories have a humorous background, this one deals with a serious topic, namely the national commemoration of the fallen on November 4th. The communist mayor Peppone, in a heated discussion with the priest, remarks as follows: "The people are tired of all these wars and victories. The people know very well what war is and don't need speeches and appeals that glorify it." Don Camillo shook his head. "You're on the wrong track, Peppone. No one wants to glorify war. It's simply a matter of paying homage and gratitude to all those who suffered in this war and lost their lives." « (G. Guareschi)