"Polish War does not forget its fallen heroes, it reminds them of the monument and commemorative plaques at the Veteran Centre. Their commemoration is an honorary commitment of soldiers of the Polish Army" - assured Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz in a letter addressed to participants of commemorations of the dead on missions.
On December 21, we celebrate Memorial Day of the Dead and the Dead in Missions and Military Operations outside the State Borders. “To make this day a day of gratitude for service to soldiers who have devoted their lives,” said Colonel Katarzyna Rałędowska, manager of the Veteran Centre, welcoming participants to the celebrations held at the Memorial Square at a memorial dedicated to them in front of the Veteran Centre for Activities outside the State Borders. The ceremony was attended by representatives of state authorities and troops as well as clergy. Veterans and families of those who died during abroad military operations were present.
During the ceremony, a letter from the president of Poland was read. “Five Polish soldiers died in Afghanistan 14 years ago. present is simply a vacation to celebrate their merit. It is simply a sign of the commitment of all soldiers and officers to cherish the memory of the comrades of the weapons who paid the highest price," recalled Karol Nawrocki. The president stressed that present we mention their courage, dedication and sacrifice. He besides gave the participants the Christmas wishes. "Despite the hard experience of absence with which many of you face their homes, let this Christmas time bring peace and hope," he wrote.
Present at the Memorial Day, Undersecretary of State at MON Stanisław Wąątek stated that "this is simply a time filled with reflection and respect for those who fought for us to live in a safe world." He besides thanked the parents of the fallen soldiers that they raised their sons to be actual patriots, and the commanders of the Polish Army for their attitude, which gives us the warrant that we can draw an example from the heroes."
We won't forget.
– Our work is to be on 21 December at the memorial to the dead and the plaque on which their names are written. Together with them, we were doing missions. They did not have a soldier's luck, but we – veterans – will never forget them," said Tomasz Kloc, president of the Association of the injured and injured in missions outside the borders of the country.
During the Memorial Day, the fallen families received gold medals from Kosiniak-Kamisha minister for the defence of the country. This year the distinctions were received by relatives: St. Chor. Rafał Celebudzki, St. Chor. Sylwester Janik, St. Sgt. Szymon Sitarczuk, young fellow of Piotr Ciesielski, Sergeant Adam Szada Borrzyszkowski and Sergeant Marcin Poręba.
On the another hand, Grażyna and Stanisław Różyński, the parents of Lieutenant Daniel Różyński, who died on a mission in Iraq, received the Knight's Cross of the Order of the Military Cross, which was awarded to their boy by the president of Poland.
Evening cap
The Sunday Memorial Day celebrations were preceded by a capsier held on Saturday evening. In a letter addressed to the participants of the ceremony, and read by Paul Bejad, Secretary of State in the MON, Deputy Prime Minister Kosiniak-Kamish wrote that the ceremony was an expression of the memory of the comrades of the arms, who, erstwhile fulfilling the title of the military oath, served their country far from its borders. "They gave back what is most precious – their lives. Their sacrifice was not in vain. It will always be recorded in the past of the Polish Army and in the memory of our nation. Their legacy is simply a commitment for us to cultivate memory and to convey the fact about the price of freedom and safety to young generations," the head of the Defence Ministry stressed.
A unique atmosphere was given by torches that were lit by the subjects of the Military method Academy. They besides exhibited an honorary post. erstwhile the podchoracs brought lanterns with photos of the dead to the square, the names of 124 soldiers and military workers who died serving outside the state were noted.
“Let this evening become a bridge between us and our colleagues who have not returned from the mission – with your sons, fathers and brothers, with those whom you have loved and who are no longer among us.” However, we believe that the spirit is present with us today. Despite the passing of years, we, as the Polish Army, will always remember them – said Colonel Katarzyna Rałędowska, manager of the Veteran Centre.
Lidia Kordas- Garniewicz, president of the household of Soldiers of the Dead “Memory and the Future” admitted that the upcoming Christmas is simply a hard time for many families, due to the fact that at the Christmas table there will always be 1 place missing. “That is why we want to say today: we are together and we do not forget”, she stressed.
124 never came back.
The Day of Memory of the Dead and the Dead in Missions and Military Operations outside the State Borders is celebrated on 21 December on the anniversary of the most tragic event in the past of Polish military missions. On that day, in Afghanistan, 5 soldiers of the 20th Bartoszická Zmechanized Brigade were killed as a consequence of the outbreak of the trap: young chor. Piotr Ciesielski, st. Sgt. Marcin Szczurowski, Sergeant. Luke the Tailor, Sergeant. Marek Tomala and Sergeant. Krystian Banach.
Since 1953, erstwhile Polish soldiers first took part in a abroad mission, about 130 1000 soldiers and military personnel have served in operations outside the state. 124 of them didn't come home.
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