The Brigade’s holiday falls on August 8, the anniversary of the 2nd Armored Regiment of the 1st Armored Division entering combat in Normandy in 1944 and its participation in the Battle of Falaise.
The celebrations began with Mass at the Church of St. Florian in Świętoszów. After Mass, the brigade’s soldiers took part in a ceremonial evening roll call, during which the Roll Call of the Fallen was read. In this way, the Świętoszów tank soldiers paid tribute to the memory of all those Poles who fought for the freedom and independence of their homeland, often paying the ultimate price for these values. After the roll call, a laser show was held, attracting the many residents of Świętoszów who had also come to attend.
The second day of the celebrations opened with a ceremonial assembly of the Brigade, during which the division commander, Major General Jarosław Mika, offered his wishes to the soldiers: “May this fighting spirit and this soldiers’ tradition add to your achievements. May everything be supported by the wonderful atmosphere of a great military family, and may soldiers’ luck never leave you. I wish you all the best, and thank you for your achievements. Have a successful celebration.”
While extending his wishes to the Świętoszów tank soldiers, Osiecznica commune head Waldemar Nalazek presented the Brigade commander with a commemorative book published to mark the 20th anniversary of the 10th Armored Cavalry Brigade.
During the assembly, the standard of the 1st Tank Battalion was decorated with the insignia of the Virtuti Militari Order. The Stars of Afghanistan and Commemorative Badges of the 10th Armored Cavalry Brigade were also presented, while the former and current Brigade commanders were granted the title of Honorary Members of the Circle of the 10th Mounted Rifle Regiment.
Additionally, Lieutenant Colonel Tomasz Biedziak, head of training of the Świętoszów brigade, was awarded the Military Cross of Merit with Swords.
An important moment, particularly for the soldiers who carried out missions in Afghanistan as part of the 14th rotation of the Polish Military Contingent, was the presentation of the honorary title “Leading Unit of the Polish Army” by the Brigade’s former commander and commander of the 14th rotation, Major General Cezary Podlasiński. The distinction for the Świętoszów soldiers was presented to the commander of the 10th Armored Cavalry Brigade, Brigadier General Maciej Jabłoński.
After the official part of the ceremonial assembly, attractions for invited guests and soldiers began: for the first time at the Brigade’s holiday, a military drill display was presented. It was performed by soldiers of the mechanized battalion and self-propelled artillery squadron. There was also a parade of equipment used by the 10th Armored Cavalry Brigade, as well as a display of Leopard 2A4 tanks entitled “Leopard Hunt.”
Brigadier General Maciej Jabłoński invited the many guests, veterans and combat veterans, friends and supporters of the Brigade, soldiers and civilian military employees with their families to share in this special day—the holiday of the 10th Armored Cavalry Brigade in Świętoszów—with these words: “Today is a day of rest and respite from our daily, highly important duties. Although the Brigade faces further challenges, I am certain that the fighting spirit of Maczkowcy, dormant in the soldiers of the Świętoszów Brigade, will enable us to accomplish all tasks, even the most demanding ones. I warmly welcome you all and invite you to enjoy yourselves together.”
The attractions connected with this year’s Brigade holiday are not over yet—in connection with the celebrations, a football match between the Twardy Świętoszów and Kawaleria Tomaszów Mazowiecki teams will be held tomorrow.
Capt. Adriana Wołyńska