The county celebrations of Independence Day began with the “Light of Freedom” procession marching to the Market Square, where the Roll Call of the Fallen was read, a ceremonial volley was fired and the Representative Song of the Polish Armed Forces was performed.
Marian Haniszewski: – On November 11, 1918, after 123 years of captivity, the Republic of Poland once again appeared on the map of Europe. The dreams of Poles born and raised under the partitions finally came true. Our ancestors paid for the struggle for the freedom and independence of their homeland with their own blood, and sometimes even with their lives. The question is whether we know how to be grateful for this gift. After all, today the call for peace is just as relevant as it was many years ago. The world has become unsettled, and wars are being fought right across the borders. Maintaining peace is our task and a great obligation.
Col. Paweł Świtalski, commander of the 23rd Silesian Artillery Regiment, also spoke: – For us soldiers, this is a special day. I would like to use this opportunity to honor those who have recently been promoted to the next military ranks.
That day, the rank of junior warrant officer was awarded to Tomasz Michalski, Krzysztof Kownacki became a senior sergeant, while the rank of platoon sergeant was awarded to Tadeusz Jakubiak, Krzysztof Kowalczyk, Mateusz Molka, Tomasz Pasiak, Florian Skrzypacz and Łukasz Zator. The following were promoted to senior corporal: Jakub Głowacki, Tomasz Józwa, Michał Pawłowski, Krzysztof Rutyna, while Adam Banecki and Grzegorz Wójcik were promoted to corporal.
The ceremony, led by Maj. Jerzy Juchaniuk, concluded with a military parade.
On Wednesday, November 11, the next part of the county celebrations of Independence Day will take place. This time, they will be held at the Bolesławiec Basilica of the Virgin Mary. The program includes:
- start – 11:00 a.m. (flag-bearing delegations assemble at the Basilica at 10:45 a.m.)
- a patriotic program performed by students from the workshops of the Stanisław Wyspiański Youth Cultural Center in Bolesławiec
- an address by Bolesławiec County Head Dariusz Kwaśniewski
- a Mass for the Homeland with the participation of the military.