Some facts are unique, some people unlike all others, living history encoded in biographies that will disappear with the passing of the generation of combatants and veterans. In the never-ending relay of generations, soldiers—patriots in the Polish national tradition—have always enjoyed exceptional respect and esteem; this remains so to this day. If the President of the Republic of Poland, Aleksander Kwaśniewski, travels to Irkutsk to meet with the 3,500-strong Polish community—Siberians, descendants of insurgents from nearly two hundred years ago—it is no surprise that the generation of fighters for freedom and independence in Bolesławiec is venerated and respected. They met on the occasion of Easter for the traditional blessed egg on 11 April this year at their headquarters on Daszyńskiego Street, as they do every year, in accordance with the tradition of all the post-war years. The soul and driving force behind the event was the tireless Col. (Ret.) Włodzimierz Kowalki, while guests from Jelenia Góra /Col. Jakubowski/, representatives of the City Board led by Deputy Mayor Władysław Zuziak, the commander of the local Polish Army garrison, Col. Chwojnicki, accompanied by the military chaplain, Dr Janina Piestrak-Babijczuk, who provides voluntary medical care to veteran-combatants, and numerous heroes of the battles against the occupiers during World War II were also present. The integrative role of the meeting was expanded to include patriotic reflection, a discussion of the present day, and reflections on the morality and involvement of the veteran generation in educating the younger generation. It should be added that another Bolesławiec school—this time bearing the number 9 on its heraldic shield—will receive the worthy and proud name of the Home Army. This is already the third instance in the town on the Bóbr River—following School No. 5 named after the Heroes of the Second Polish Army and No. 8 named after the Fighters for Freedom and Democracy—of referring to national history in the names of educational institutions.
W.G./