From now on, 1 of Abrams 1 tanks of the Warsaw Armored Brigade is called Sitek-21. That's how the soldiers in the unit wanted to honor the sergeant's memory. Mateusz Sitka, who died stabbed while serving on the Polish-Belarusian border. The symbolic inscription on the barrel of the tank was revealed by Emilia Sitek, the parent of the deceased military.
– I want to pay tribute to our soldier, Sergeant. Matthew Sitk, who died on the east borderBy defending our sovereignty. His sacrifice is simply a painful reminder for us that freedom is not given to us erstwhile and for all," said Colonel Marcin Wdowiak, commander of 1st Tank Battalion of the 1st Warsaw Armored Brigade. On Wednesday, a celebration was held on the grounds of the unit for the celebration of this division. At that time, the memory of individuals, whose tradition of the battalion heirs, including the 3rd Battalion of Tanks and Armoured Cars and 3rd Battalion of the Armoured National Army “Golski”, as well as the soldier who died in June due to wounds he suffered during the attack on the Polish-Belarusian border. – The memory of the fallen soldier is not only an expression of respect, but besides an work to proceed his mission. We must be vigilant, united and ready to act to defend our borders. His death cannot be in vain," said Colonel Wdowiak.
Soldiers from the 1st Tank Battalion equipped with Abrams decided to return to the pre-war tradition of naming tanks. Today, he received his first name. The name of the deceased sergeant was written on his barrel – and the number 21, meaning the age of the soldier. The symbolic inscription at the ceremony was unveiled by Emilia Sitek, parent of the deceased military, and Colonel Marcin Wdowiak, his commander. A plaque commemorating the sergeant was besides unveiled in the unit. Matthew Sitka.
Film: Magdalena Miernicka, Michał Niwicz/ ArmouredTV
– This place will be especially close to us from now on," said Emilia Sitek during the ceremony. However, she pointed out that she meant not only a tank or stone with a walled board, but also, above all, soldiers she called her son's military family. She besides stressed that the sergeant. erstwhile he died, he left a testament to all Poles, “the care for a free and independent homeland.”
The ceremony was besides attended by Stanisław Wiątek, Deputy Minister of National Defence, who stressed that "a nation without memory loses its identity and dies". He besides added that present we must remember not only crucial historical events, but besides the heroism of modern soldiers. We're gonna miss Sergeant Matthew Sitka. We will see him as a actual hero of modern times, as a colleague, a soldier who, defending our borders, gave the highest sacrifice – he said. – We're going to do everything we can to guarantee that these situations don't happen anymore.that those who led to this crime should be punished," he noted.
The Deputy Chief of the MON asked by the Armed Poland, at what phase is the investigation of the fatal attack on the Polish soldier, replied that the perpetrator was identified, but details must stay secret.
To attack the sergeant. Matthew Sitka took place on May 28 in the Church of Dubai. The soldier was stabbed by a migrant on the Belarusian side of the dam. He was first helped by a Border defender officer. He was then transported to the infirmary in Hajnówka and then to the Military Medical Institute in Warsaw. Despite the aid granted Matthew Sitek died on June 6.
