At the Factory Club of ZCh "Wizów" in Bolesławiec, they meet every Tuesday, punctually at 10 a.m. There are a dozen or so of them, sometimes fewer. Mrs Urszula Wolak, treasurer of the circle of the Polish Association of Combatants, brews excellent coffee, while president Franciszek Zieliński—just elected to his fifth four-year term—despite 80 years of a busy life, brims with energy, ideas and initiative. He enjoys the respect and obedience of his elderly colleagues; he is liked and respected, and remains up to date on the needs of the circle’s 153 members, which was established back in 1966. Here, everyone forms a real family, which—unfortunately—shrinks with every passing year. During the past term, as many as 48 veterans passed away. Today, widows make up one-third of the group. They are aware of the passage of time, but do not let their optimistic spirit fade, in accordance with the famous message of the Polish Pope...
The oldest of them, Mr Józef Erban, is 94. He fought in both world wars, but only recently received a commemorative cross for his participation in the war against the Bolsheviks in 1920. Similarly, Henryk Czopek was decorated only recently, at the General Reporting and Electoral Meeting on 29 October this year, with the Cross of the Peasant Battalions. Without the sponsorship and care of their parent plant—ZCh "Wizów"—as well as the personal support of director mgr Władysław Wyszyński and the trade unions operating here, the veterans’ present-day life would be colourless, grey and sad. Instead, they can enjoy holidays at the factory’s holiday centre in Stegna near Gdańsk, have a roof over their heads at the club, receive social support and enjoy a cup of coffee at their meetings. For many years, the circle of patrons and devoted friends has included the married doctors Janina Piestrak-Babijczuk and Zbigniew Babijczuk, who were presented at the meeting with honorary diplomas of recognition for their selfless assistance and medical care provided over many, many years. For sick seniors, this is worth not merely its weight in gold but, quite literally, their lives—“these people always have time for us and wear their hearts on their sleeves,” Franciszek Zieliński says of the community-minded doctors. “When everything has to be paid for, they give up their fees; they are always open, kind, understanding—in short, humane... Such modern Judym figures in the noblest sense.”
In the “Wizów” veterans’ circle, former soldiers, partisans and prisoners of extermination camps belonging to various armed formations and political orientations work and live together harmoniously. There are former partisans from Yugoslavia, soldiers of the tragic September 1939 campaign, fighters from the Peasant Battalions and the Home Army, and participants in the battles of Lenino and in General Anders’ Army. They form a harmonious, deeply patriotic family, and perhaps that is why there are no divisions, quarrels or disputes over values and merits. All of them have served Poland, their homeland, well. This is symbolically reflected in the composition of the circle’s new board: president—Franciszek Zieliński, a soldier of the September campaign; secretary—Józef Śmiałek, a prisoner of Nazi extermination camps; treasurer—Urszula Wolak, widow of a partisan from the mountains of Bosnia in Yugoslavia; vice-president—Stanisław Chmist, a Home Army soldier; and chair of the Audit Committee—mgr Jan Zieliński, a soldier of the Polish Armed Forces in the West.
...They solemnly commemorated the anniversaries of the restoration of independence. Under their own banner, they take part in religious and secular ceremonies, meet with young people and, to the best of their ability, participate in the social life of the local-government community. They are living monuments to history; they remain engaged with civic reflection and discussions about political changes, government decisions, constitutional matters and transformation. They do not accept stagnation or passivity, nor do they want to rest on pedestals and heroes’ monuments. They take part in discussions, plebiscites, elections, gatherings and patriotic demonstrations. They are needed; they form part of the rich biography of the town on the Bóbr.
On 7 November this year, a similar reporting and electoral meeting of veterans was held in Nowogrodziec, attended by the town’s mayor, Mr Edward Szczerbień. During the past term, as many as 86 distinguished colleagues passed away. The same board will lead the circle’s work—this resolution was adopted unanimously. It is the best measure of the merits, respect and authority of the people who lead the local veterans’ community. May they enjoy good health and satisfaction from having properly fulfilled their duties toward their homeland for as long as possible.