There were as many people wearing Alpini hats in the crowd lining the route in Pordenone, Italy, on Sunday, May 11, 2014, as there were in the parade itself. (Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes)

Active-duty members of the Alpini march through downtown Pordenone, Italy, on Sunday, May 11, 2014, under buildings strewn with Italian flags during a parade capping the 87th national gathering of the mountain troops. (Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes)

Politicians representing communities surrounding Pordenone, Italy, march in a huge parade Sunday, May 11, 2014, as thousands gathered to cheer on the country's past and present Alpini forces. (Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes)

Some of those marching Sunday, May 11, 2014, in the parade capping the 87th national gathering of the Alpini in Pordenone, Italy, sported vintage uniforms and equipment. (Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes)

Not all of those sporting Alpini caps have served in Italy's mountain corps, some lining the parade route might be serving in future years, though. (Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes)

Some Americans, including an Alpini chapter from New York, were among the estimated 75,000 marching Sunday, May 11, 2014, in Pordenone, Italy, in a parade that capped the 87th national gathering. (Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes)

This Alpini hat, with various decorations attached, is worn by an officer, who sport black feathers in their headgear. (Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes)

This Alpini hat, with an array of honors attached, is worn by an enlisted member. Enlisted Alpini have white feathers in their caps. (Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes)

There was almost as much plaid as feathered hats on Sunday, May 11, 2014, during a parade in Pordenone, Italy, capping the 87th gathering of the Alpini. Different chapters sported different color combinations of plaid and some of those marching appeared to be doing so in remembrance of others, including this man carrying an extra hat. (Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes)

Several chapters of Alpini marching in a parade Sunday, May 11, 2014, in Pordenone, Italy, sported not only similar hats, but matching plaid shirts, vests or other clothing. (Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes)

Alpini forces serve multiple roles in Italy's mountains, conducting rescue operations, humanitarian relief missions and community service. Thousands marched in a parade Sunday, May 11, 2014, in downtown Pordenone that capped the 87th national gathering of the Alpini. (Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes)

Not all of those who marched Sunday, May 11, 2014 in a parade in downtown Pordenone, Italy, did so on two legs. These dogs and their handlers help find people buried by avalanches in the mountains. (Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes)

Many of those marching in a parade in Pordenone, Italy, on Sunday, May 11, 2014, represented different Alpini chapters from around Italy as well as more than a dozen other countries. (Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes)

Roberta Pinotti, Italy's minister of defense, claps while Alpini forces pass by her during a parade Sunday, May 11, 2014, in Pordenone, Italy. (Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes)

Many of the larger chapters of the Alpini that participated in a parade in Pordenone on Sunday, May 11, 2014, sported multiple banners representing the history of their groups. (Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes)

Some of those participating in an Alpini parade in Pordenone, Italy, on Sunday, May 11, 2014, rode on old military vehicles instead of marching. Many participate every year in the annual gathering. Sunday's parade capped the 87th time the event was held - the first time in Pordenone. (Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes)

Alpini troops used to get some help from pack animals while carrying supplies in through the mountains during both times of peace and war. (Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes)

Italian Prime Minster Matteo Renzi and Minister of Defense Roberta Pinotti greet an Alpini veteran that onlookers said was the oldest surviving member of the organization in Italy. Renzi and Pinotti both flew up from Rome to attend the 87th national Alpini gathering in Pordenone, Italy, on Sunday, May 11, 2014. (Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes)

Italy's national air acrobatics team, Frecce Tricolori, made a couple passes Sunday over Pordenone, Italy, during a huge parade that capped the 87th national gathering of the Alpini. The jets' home is at nearby Rivolto Air Base. (Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes)