The ceremony began with a lecture by Dr. Jerzy Kirszak from the Wrocław branch of the Institute of National Remembrance, entitled “The Cursed Soldiers in the Struggle for Poland’s Independence.” Bolesławiec Marian Basilica hosted several hundred soldiers, trainees of preparatory service for the National Reserve Forces, and students of uniformed classes from Lower Silesian schools, who after the lecture had the opportunity to watch a film about the indomitable heroes of the post-war independence underground. The lecture was preceded by the reading of a letter from the President of the Republic of Poland addressed to participants in the observances honoring the Cursed Soldiers.
The next item on the observances’ extensive program was a sports and defense exercise at the 23rd Artillery Regiment, during which students of uniformed classes practiced drill under the supervision of military instructors and familiarized themselves with military weapons. At the same time, participants competed in a shooting tournament conducted by the Association of Former Soldiers of the 62nd Special “Commando” Company.
The highlight of the exercise was the “For the Cursed Soldiers 1963” run, which, alongside the shooting tournament, was held under the patronage of President of the Republic of Poland Andrzej Duda. Nearly 600 competitors took part in the opening formation: soldiers representing units of the 11th LDKPanc., preparatory-service trainees, and students of uniformed classes who wished to pay tribute to the heroes over the symbolic distance of 1,963 meters—the year of the execution of the last member of the resistance Józef Franczak. Delegations of soldiers and school students laid wreaths beneath the commemorative plaque dedicated to artillerymen, expressing remembrance of the soldiers who sacrificed their lives on the altar of the homeland.
The observances of the National Remembrance Day of the Cursed Soldiers concluded with a ceremonial roll call. After the national flag was raised and the Minister of National Defence’s message to the soldiers of the Polish Army on the occasion of the National Remembrance Day of the Cursed Soldiers was read, the commander of the 23rd Artillery Regiment, Col. Paweł Świtalski, emphasized the Indomitable’s contribution to the path toward independence and the need for soldiers and younger generations of Poles to preserve their memory. The reading of the roll of honor and an honor volley paid tribute to the Cursed Soldiers.
The importance of the roll call was underscored by the presence of the representative of the head of the National Security Bureau, Maj. Maciej Czulicki, the head of training of the 11th Armored Cavalry Division, Col. Zbigniew Markowski, directors of schools educating young people in uniformed classes, and representatives of institutions that work with the 23rd Artillery Regiment on a daily basis.
The formation also included honoring the participants in the sporting competitions. The “For the Cursed Soldiers 1963” run and shooting tournament were summarized. The winners received prizes funded by the head of the National Security Bureau and cups from the commander of the 11th Armored Cavalry Division, the commander of the 23rd Artillery Regiment, the president of the Association of Former Soldiers of the 62nd Special Company, and the rector of the Bolesławiec Marian Basilica. In addition, the “Commando” Association presented the winners and schools with small gifts.
The best results in the run in the professional soldiers’ category were achieved by Pvt. Adrianna Kala and Pvt. Dawid Klaybor, while in the trainee category the winner was trainee Pvt. Patryk Bodnik. In the uniformed-class students’ category, the winners were Nikola Gocałek and Mateusz Grześków.
The shooting tournament was won by students of the Forestry Technical School in Rogoziniec, ahead of the teams from the Complex of Economic and Technical Schools in Rakowice Wielkie and the Technical School Complex in Zbąszynek.
The observances of the National Remembrance Day of the Cursed Soldiers in the city of Bolesławiec began with Mass at the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. After the Mass, attended by the military honor guard of the 23rd Artillery Regiment, soldiers, scouts, veterans, flag-bearing units, and city residents gathered at the symbol of Fighting Poland to pay tribute to the Cursed Soldiers—soldiers of the anti-communist and pro-independence underground.
After the city orchestra played the national anthem, a scout roll call was held, followed by a historical overview of the commemorated holiday presented by the city’s deputy mayor, Kornel Filipowicz. The reading of the roll of honor was a tribute to the soldiers of the armed anti-communist underground, after which the honor company of the 23rd Artillery Regiment fired an honor volley. The ceremony concluded with the laying of flowers.
Capt. Remigiusz Kwieciński/ii