The ceremony began at the 23rd Artillery Regiment, in front of a memorial plaque dedicated to the artillery units whose traditions the regiment continues. At this location, a delegation of the 23rd Silesian Artillery Regiment, led by the commanding officer, Colonel Paweł Świtalski, laid a wreath on behalf of all the soldiers. A delegation of the Association of Polish Artillerymen also expressed its respect for the artillery predecessors by taking part in the ceremony and laying flowers. It was led by the chairman of the association’s main board from Toruń, Reserve Colonel Roman Kłosiński. The subunits then marched through the city streets to Bolesławiec’s Sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, where the regiment chaplain, Captain Reverend Tomasz Koczy, together with Reverend Prelate Dr. Habil. Andrzej Jarosiewicz, celebrated a solemn Mass for the soldiers, regiment employees and their families.
After Mass, the honor company of the 23rd Artillery Regiment, the color guards of veterans’ organizations and columns of subunits, accompanied by the military band from Żagań, ceremonially marched to Bolesławiec’s Market Square.
The central part of the 23rd Artillery Regiment Day celebrations was a ceremonial assembly attended, among others, by the regiment’s immediate superior, the commander of the 11th Lubusz Armoured Cavalry Division, Major General Jarosław Mika; commanders of the “Black Division” units; commanders of the artillery regiments from Sulechów and Węgorzewo; members of the Association of Polish Artillerymen; former regiment soldiers; representatives of the administrative authorities; and managers and commanders of garrison institutions cooperating with the regiment. After the ceremony commander, Major Szymon Czerwiński, submitted his report to the commander of the 23rd Artillery Regiment, the subunits were inspected and greetings exchanged, and at precisely 10:30 a.m., to the strains of “Dąbrowski’s Mazurka,” the national flag was raised on the flagpole.
Next, after a ceremonial order and decisions had been read out, Colonel Świtalski and the commander of the 11th Lubusz Armoured Cavalry Division, Major General Jarosław Mika, honored the most distinguished soldiers with Commemorative Badges of the 23rd Artillery Regiment, awarded by the badge chapter. Addressing those gathered, the regiment commander recalled the origins of the holiday being celebrated and the achievements and accomplishments of the Bolesławiec artillerymen. He also highlighted the unit’s most important tasks for the current year:
Today’s 23rd Artillery Regiment Day marks the culmination of our training activities to date and cooperation with numerous social entities and non-governmental organizations for the sake of national defense. It is also an opportunity to emphasize our membership in the largest and strongest tactical formation in our Armed Forces, which is undoubtedly the 11th Lubusz Armoured Cavalry Division—the “Black Division.”
On the occasion of today’s celebration, I would like to thank all the regiment’s soldiers and employees for the commitment and effort you put into your demanding daily service and work. I wish you success, satisfaction in carrying out your duties, and much good health and happiness in your personal lives. I also extend my greetings to your families and loved ones.
Later in the ceremony, General Mika spoke and thanked the soldiers for their commitment and for carrying out their training tasks: “The 23rd Silesian Artillery Regiment is a highly regarded and well-perceived unit, and it is difficult to imagine the division functioning without it.”
The mayor of the city, Piotr Roman, emphasized the regiment’s importance, this time for Bolesławiec, addressing the soldiers with warm words: “We are meeting in the Market Square, the most important place in Bolesławiec. This is a symbol of what the military and the presence of the 23rd Artillery Regiment mean to us, the residents of Bolesławiec.”
After the band from Żagań performed a selection of military pieces and the regiment commander accepted congratulations and best wishes, the ceremonial assembly concluded with a parade of the subunits.
At the same time, during the assembly, the artillerymen presented local residents with basic combat equipment and the equipment of an engineer patrol. The 122 mm WR-40 “Langusta” multiple rocket launcher and the 152 mm “DANA” self-propelled howitzer attracted considerable interest from those attending the display. In addition to presenting the mine-clearance patrol’s equipment, the presence of the engineers provided an opportunity for educational and preventive activities concerning the basic rules of conduct after finding or encountering hazardous materials.
The 23rd Silesian Artillery Regiment Day celebrations concluded with a concert by the Black Division Stage ensemble at the Bolesławiec Cultural Center—International Ceramics Center. In several musical sets, the group performed military songs and entertainment repertoire.
Captain Remigiusz Kwieciński/ii