They marched with sticks on the shore of the beach and on paths in the surrounding forests. They utilized rehabilitation treatments and supported each other. The parents of soldiers killed on missions and military widows who died distant from their homeland spent a week in therapy and rehabilitation workshops in Mrzeżyna.
This was the second edition of summertime therapy and rehabilitation workshops organized by the household of the Lost Soldiers Association “Memory and Future”, bringing together military relatives who died on missions. – specified meetings advance the integration of our environment. Thanks to the rehabilitation base of the resort, we besides have the chance to benefit from physiotherapies, says Lidia Kordas-Garniewicz, president of the Board of the Association "Memoir and Future". These sessions were especially crucial for the parents of soldiers who died on missions, as they are usually elderly.
Fr Grzegorz Politowski's parents, who died on a mission in Afghanistan, were eager to benefit from rehabilitation. – Borovina, magnetronics and centrifuge alleviate our ailments – admits the parent of soldier Maria Politowska.
One of the nights of the turnus was dedicated to the deceased during abroad military operations. During this gathering the figures and portraits of those soldiers whose families came to Mrzeżyna were presented. It was a time of reflection and memories. “It was a touching experience due to the fact that it turned out that the memory of our sons who died on missions is inactive alive,” says Maria Politowska. During that evening, she took respective photographs of portraits of soldiers whose parents could not participate in the turnus for various reasons. She sent photographs to them. In response, she received thanks for remembering their sons.
Ewa Wozniak is the parent of Major. Grzegorz Wozniak, a peculiar army operator who died on a mission in Afghanistan in 2013. “When I go on rehabilitation tours with veterans, I always look for my son, although I know I won’t find him,” he admits.
The workshops were besides attended by widows of military casualties on missions. Among them was Jolanta Janik, wife of fresh Year's Day Janik, a soldier severely injured in 2013 during an action to repel the attack on a military base in Ghazni, Afghanistan, who died in a infirmary in Ramstein, western Germany as a consequence of the wounds sustained. – During the workshops we have the chance to meet another widows of soldiers who died on missions. In conversations we mention to memories before the accident and support each other. Our children have known each another for years and feel good about themselves," says Jolanta Janik.
The participants of the turnus were visited by Colonel Katarzyna Rałędowska, manager of the Veteran Centre for Activities outside the State Borders. I'm glad I could attend my memory night. I know how crucial it is for families to keep memories of fallen soldiers. It is besides 1 of the tasks of the Veteran Centre. We have besides discussed further initiatives to commemorate those who have given up their lives in activities outside the country – an officer reports.
Summer therapy and rehabilitation workshops were a public task organized by the household of the Lost Soldiers Association “Memory and Future” thanks to MON and its own resources and contributions from participants.
