The Polish Army units stationed in our city consider the passing year a successful one. They all accomplished their tasks. Despite the state’s financial difficulties, the soldiers look to the future with hope. This note of optimism accompanied all the meetings held in the period leading up to Christmas. The importance of the last meeting, attended by the leadership of the 18th Rocket Regiment, was underscored by the presence of the city’s deputy mayor, Jan JASIUKIEWICZ; the dean of the Bolesławiec parish, Rev. Prelate Władysław RĄCZKA; the garrison chaplain, Rev. Capt. Wojciech MROSZCZAK; and the deputy police commander, Superintendent Paweł GÓRZYŃSKI. The commander, Col. Stanisław CHWOJNICKI, MSc, also invited the officers’ wives. The exchange of good wishes was accompanied by the Christian custom of sharing the Christmas wafer.
It is impossible here to omit two more exceptionally moving Christmas and New Year meetings. Members of the Association of Former Career Soldiers from the branch operating at the 18th Rocket Regiment attended the first. In thanking them for coming, the commander discussed the unit’s training and educational achievements and assured those gathered that the tradition of their conscientious military service would be continued. Col. CHWOJNICKI presented modest financial allowances to several of the former career soldiers who had rendered the greatest service to the 18th Artillery Brigade—those from the so-called “old guard.” On behalf of the guests, they thanked the organizers for arranging the meeting and presenting the honors: the chairman of the Association of Former Career Soldiers, Col. (ret.) Tadeusz GOŁĘBIEWSKI, and the former deputy brigade commander, Col. (ret.) Leon MOSZCZYŃSKI.
The second meeting, undoubtedly carrying a “greater emotional weight” than the one mentioned above and bringing tears of emotion, took place in the commander’s office with several ladies—widows of former career soldiers of the brigade. As Mrs. Janina PIETRZAK, formerly an activist in the brigade branch of the Organization of Military Families, emphasized, this visit was the first of its kind in the unit’s history. Among those taking part in the meeting were: Danuta GRUDZIEŃ—the wife of a former brigade commander; Maria OBRUŚNIK—the wife of a former communications chief, who commanded a platoon in the Battle of Lenino, where Corporal Michał OKURZALY died a heroic death; Józefa KUKLIŃSKA—the wife of a former squadron commander and longtime chairwoman of the brigade branch of the Organization of Military Families; and Antonina KAMIŃSKA—the wife of a once highly regarded warrant officer. All the ladies attending the meeting were honored by the commander with modest gifts.
Impressed by the many-sided experiences, the author of this report wishes only to emphasize that every community should remember its predecessors, especially those who devoted their thoughts, hearts and deeds to the Homeland.
This may sound old-fashioned, like a slogan from a bygone era. But putting prejudices aside, they are worthy of respect, and that respect will be shown to them by the present generation of soldiers. As we reflect on the path traveled so far, let us consider the words of Marshal Józef PIŁSUDSKI: “Those who do not respect and value their past are not worthy of respect in the present, nor do they have the right to a future.”