5 October 2024 in Łódź will be held, organized by the Union of Reserve Officers of the Republic of Poland, a celebration of the Feast of the Reserve Soldier.
The ceremony will be preceded by a mass in the Archatedal Basilica of St. Stanislaus Kostka in Łódź, 265 Piotrkowska – 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. Further part of the ceremony, in the Cathedral Square. John Paul II, will be held in accordance with the military ceremony, beginning with the submission of the study by the commander of the ceremony, the performance of the national anthem, through the Appeal of the Deceased with a salute, and at the laying of wreaths before the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, ending. The military honorary assistance will be exhibited by the 9th Łódź Territorial Defence Brigade in Łódź, and the ceremony is organized with the participation of the Municipal defender in Łódź.
Since the establishment of the festival in 2019, the Union of Reserve Officers of the Republic of Poland has held a celebration of the Reserve Soldier's Day under the patronage of the Minister of National Defence. In 2021 and 2023 the celebrations were held in Częstochowa, and in 2022 in Lublin.
The established vacation is an expression of respect for the soldiers of the Republic of Poland who, on a call, place themselves in service. The celebrations will be held under the patronage of the Minister of National Defence, the president of the Institute of National Memory, the Head of the Office for Combatants and Repressed Persons, the state of Łódź, the Marshal of Łódź Voivodeship, the president of the City of Łódź. The spiritual patronage was given by the Metropolitan of Łódź Cardinal Grzegorz Ryś, and the media patronage was given by the monthly magazine “Polska Armodna” and TOYA Television.
Celebrations of the Soldier of the Reserve will have a patriotic and promotional dimension in the field of military service and defence of the state. The objectives of this task will be to cultivate national, civic and cultural awareness, to advance the affirmative image of the Polish Armed Forces in society, to encourage young people to execute various forms of military service, to consolidate the bonds of reserve soldiers and combatants with soldiers of active military service, and to strengthen the cooperation of the Union of Reserve Officers of the Republic of Poland with military units, civilian institutions and pro-defence social organizations. A group of students of Łódź schools from uniform classes will besides participate in the celebration.
From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., city residents, especially young people, will be able to get acquainted with military equipment and equipment issued by military units, military associations and unions and another uniformed services specified as Border Guard, Police, Municipal Guard. Each associate will be able to personally talk to soldiers and uniformed officers, get answers to questions about the specifics of the soldier's profession.
The Association of Reserve Officers of the Republic of Poland inherits traditions operating from 1922 to 1939 of the Union of Reserve Officers of the Republic of Poland and continues its activities. According to the statutes, the Patron of the Union is Marshal Józef Piłsudski. As a nationwide patriotic organization, the Union of Reserve Officers of the Republic of Poland is responsible, among others, for commemorating people and places of fighting for freedom, independency and sovereignty, promoting the glory of the Polish weapon and training of young people focused, among others, in shooting organizations and uniform classes. An crucial aspect of the Union's activities are actions to form historical and civic awareness and to educate young people patrioticly.
The union integrates the environment of WP reserve soldiers who, through their activities in the organization, cultivate a common military tradition, take care of the combatants, reserve soldiers and their families in need.
The Association of Reserve Officers cooperates with the Ministry of National Defence and with many military units and institutions, social organizations, local governments and companies. Our organization is composed not only by officers, but besides by enlisted officers and civilians, who combine the love of Polish military tradition and the desire to act in the field of popularization of Polish history. We organize competitions and historical rallies for young people, conduct live past lessons, take care of combatants, compose historical books, make monuments to Polish past and take care of the graves of our heroes.
The union has a flag, publishes its newsletter entitled “Reserve” and has a website: www.zorp.org.
