The Short Military Career of Pasquale D'Elia
When Pasquale D'Elia turned eighteen years of age in 1869, he answered the call to serve in the military. He was excused from regular duty because he was the first-born son. The law in Italy, at that time, exempted first-born sons from military service except for a token 40 days. Pasquale served his 40 days at a barracks in Cosenza, and then returned to civilian life.
