The ceremony took place on Thursday, September 1, at the Monument to the Soldiers of the Second Army of the Polish Army. Member of the Bolesławiec County Board Stanisław Chwojnicki:
Let us remember how much people had to endure in order to enjoy the freedom they longed for. Many personal and tragic stories were recorded, in which kind neighbors and friends suddenly became mortal enemies ready to commit the greatest crimes. I know that recalling these events is painful, sometimes unimaginable. September 1 is a symbolic date. We still remember the heroes of World War II. In our homes and families, the few grandparents who remain tell their grandchildren and great-grandchildren about the September Campaign, the Warsaw Uprising, labor camps and exile. But they also teach respect for the Homeland and freedom.
Reserve Maj. Wiesław Łysakowski:
There used to be several hundred World War II veterans in Bolesławiec County alone, and more than 5,000 in the neighboring counties. Today, only a small number of veterans remain. A few days ago, the oldest World War II veteran from the Bolesławiec organization, Col. Edward Olkiewicz, passed away and went on Eternal Watch. His comrades were always present at ceremonies in front of this monument. Let us therefore honor their memory. They deserve it. Their memory must live on. It is thanks to their sacrifice and that of several subsequent generations that we built the Poland we have today. Let us rejoice in this and do everything possible to ensure that the specter of war never threatens us.
One of the most important elements of Thursday’s ceremony was the laying of flowers at the Monument to the Soldiers of the Second Army of the Polish Army. Flowers were laid, among others, by delegations of veterans, Siberian exiles, uniformed services and local government officials. The event was organized by Bolesławiec County. The ceremony was conducted by Renata Czerwińska and Maj. Jerzy Juchaniuk.