It's been 30 years. At times it is hard to believe, but the Buzdigans were first granted at a time erstwhile Poland was not yet a NATO member, and soldiers could only dream of modern Western equipment. However, despite the passing of years, the award has not lost any of its prestige, and the winners agree to talk of it – military Oscar.
The first reaction is frequently surprise. Cadmium. Peter Sikora, 2014 winner, and now the commander of the 8th Coast Defence Fleet, recalls that erstwhile the telephone rang, he just came home after work. I didn't have a hands-free kit, so I had to halt for a while. On the headphones I heard the then head of the Military Publishing Institute, Colonel Darius Casperczyk. He told me about Buzzygan, and I was speechless. I didn't really know I was being considered...’ he says.
Under identical circumstances, only 2 years earlier, he learned about the award kmdr Lt. Sebastian Bąbel, chopper pilot SH-2G, presently serving in the General Command of Types of Armed Forces. He besides came home, he had to halt to answer the phone, and at first he thought, "No, it must be any kind of mistake."
What?! You want to reward a man with old equipment? You have soldiers after abroad missions, scientists... This thought passed through my head at the time – said Colonel Tomasz Ogrodniczuk, the head and father of the Poznań Armored Weapons Museum (now a branch of the Polish Military Museum), who completed a unique collection step by step in 2009.
After being surprised, frequently the symptoms of anxiety come. “When I arrived at the MON Conference Centre to receive the prize, I was so stressed that I began to wonder which side of the uniform the buttons buttoned on – kmdr Lt. Bubble laughs. In the end, however, all emotions cover a sense of pride. Because, as the winners repeat, Buzdigan is not just a reward, a discrimination for people who do their occupation perfectly. The statue is expected to express appreciation for those who through their charisma, commitment, courage change the face of the army. And that's why she was given the unofficial, though highly honorable name of the military Oscar.
Theatre of many actors
– We simply wanted to draw interesting people from the shadows – explained Ireneusz Czyżewski, the creator of the Buzdigans, who in the early 1990s headed the editorial board of the Polish Soldier. The diary was published in parallel with “Polish Armed Forces”, and it was under its wing that the prize was passed. The statues are inactive awarded by a chapter composed of the head of the editorial board and winners of the erstwhile edition. For 3 decades, the prize went to over 250 people.
Among the distinguished are, of course, soldiers, representing all types of armed forces and ranks – from Privates to Generals. But Buzdigan was besides enjoyed by civilians who added bricks to build a affirmative image of the army. The statue was awarded to journalists Waldemar Milewicz (for their passion and courage in preparing relations with the most dangerous areas of the world) and Bogusław Wołoszański (for their invention in presenting military-historical issues), basketball player Marcin Gortat (for their support given to Polish veterans of military missions) and the head of the large Orchestra of Christmas Charity Jerzy Owsiak (for their unique way of promoting the army).
In 30 years of history, Buzzigan went abroad twice. The “Polish Armed Forces” Award was awarded to British Edgar Buckley, Deputy Secretary General of NATO, and General William Carter, commander of the 1st US Army Armoured Division – for allied support to Polish soldiers. There were besides winners of the group, specified as the crew of the OrP Corvette “Kashub” – for wiping out Polish navy trails in NATO, or soldiers of the peculiar unit Formozo, who organized an utmost expedition across the Baltic to rise money for a sick friend, and thus to realise the slogan “We never leave our own”.
But in reality, Buzzigan is almost always the consequence of teamwork. More or less. Even if 1 peculiar individual gets it, usually the squad is behind it – the subordinates, colleagues, colleagues. People who are willing to help, support, put into practice an innovative idea. This subject regularly returns in talks with the winners. – Aviation is never a theatre of 1 actor – emphasizes Colonel Pil. dir. Dominik ‘Zippity’ DudaWho spent years behind the F-16. In 2019, Buzdigana was given as 1 of the best trained combat pilots in Poland, an absolute master in his profession. – The attention of the outsiders is frequently focused on the pilot. But in order for him to be able to execute his duties well, it is essential to work a full multitude of people – from technicians to navigators. The pilot is only 1 of the cogs in the large device – said kmdr Lt. Bąbel. Colonel Ogrodniczuk speaks in a akin tone. – I received a Buzdigan on behalf of all enthusiasts, lovers of old armored vehicles. Without them, I would surely not have moved away," he emphasizes.
Motivating Prize
The statue can help. It's like a affirmative boost. Fr Monika Krasińska-Ligejka from the 13th Silesian Territorial Defence Brigade admits: "Sometimes I get a deficiency of strength, doubt... And then I think of Buzzygan. That erstwhile I picked him up, I made a commitment to something.
When she was awarded the award in the fall of 2022, she was already the coordinator of the pilot program GPR K9, which was to lead to the creation of territorial defence groups in all brigades. It was mainly thanks to her that the first rescue dog was introduced to the Polish army. – The next step was to become a professional training centre in Kuźnica Raciborska. Standing on the stage, I promised myself I'd do everything in my power to make this facility happen. And the facility is working. And if everything goes as planned, by the mediate of next year search and rescue groups will be operating in 90% of all WOT brigades," the corporal stressed.
Cadmium. Sikora recalls that erstwhile he picked up Buzdigan in 2014, the task “Kormoran II” was born. Even as commander of the Natov mine defence team, he had the chance to watch papers related to the modern mine destroyer and, together with another naval officers, to study his remarks to him. A prototype ship entered the line 3 years later. Today, the 8th Fleet of Ships has 3 Cormorans at its disposal. 3 more will be joining them soon. That's what the full scope of submarines gotta number for. – Step by step we build the most modern mine defence forces in the Baltic. And Buzdigan made our effort more noticeable. Especially since he received a statue shortly after me kmdr Lt. Michał Dziugan, presently commander of the 13th Trawl Squadron, and formerly the ORP “Kormoran”, the first of our fresh mine destroyers, points out cadmium. Sikora.
Buzdigan's power is besides mentioned Dr. Tomasz Sanak, a doctor and a three-time mission associate in Afghanistan. He received the statue for 2017. – Buzdigan pulled me out of the shadows, only I do not take it in terms of individual benefit. Thanks to the award, it got loud about what I do. quite a few people have heard about the field of combat medicine, tactical rescue. More volunteers started volunteering for courses. And after all, the skills acquired in specified classes can save a life 1 day – Sanak admits. But in his case, Buzzigan besides brought good in another way. – In 2019, I donated the statue for auction. It was bought by an anonymous soldier. He paid PLN 6,000. The money went to rehab for a veteran injured on the mission – he recalls. Sanak wasn't the only one. Earlier, another winners – Sgt. Sgr. Krzysztof Pluta, “Wir”, erstwhile soldier of the Commando Military Unit, and Col Szczepan Głuszczak.
Hard Battles of the Chapter
In the meantime, more winners will shortly receive the statues. In Navy uniforms, ground troops, air force, there will besides be 1 civilian. They combine innovative reasoning and courage needed to make changes in the reality. “Every year, the chapter, feeling very liable for its decisions, makes the utmost care to guarantee that the award goes to the best of the best. During this year's meeting, discussions on respective twelve well-prepared submissions were not easy, and members of the chapter had to convince each other, as all year, of the decision they had reached," emphasises Izabela Borańska-Chmielewski, editor-in-chief of the monthly magazine "Polska Armorna". All of this, however, gives a warrant that the Buzdigans besides walk in good hands this time.
