On Saturday, 29 November, the youngest artillery soldiers took the solemn oath in Bolesławiec’s market square. “We are soldiers—citizens upon whom rests the special duty of defending the Homeland and being ready at any moment to give our lives in its defense”—these words of General Władysław Sikorski were recalled during Saturday’s ceremony by Colonel Roman Kłosiński, commander of the 23rd Silesian Artillery Brigade. Addressing his soldiers, he added: “Behind you is an extremely intensive period of basic training, considered the most difficult stage of military service. This is only the beginning of your soldiers’ journey—often rough and full of obstacles that you will have to overcome.”
The following privates were honored by taking the oath on the colors: Piotr Burzawa, Sylwester Sekulak, Tomasz Kisielewicz and Marcin Niesłuchowski. Meanwhile, the artillery soldiers who achieved the best training results (Andrzej Ludkiewicz, Jakub Grambowski, Karol Kowalczyk and Grzegorz Mroziński) received four-day leaves, while Colonel Kłosiński presented their parents with flowers and letters of congratulations.
“On behalf of the City Council and myself, I wish you for this service to become a very good memory and a time to which you will return,” said City Council Chairwoman Janina Piestrak-Babijczuk to the youngest artillery soldiers. “This is an exceptional moment not only in the life of every soldier, but also in the life of everyone who feels Polish. Into your hands we entrust such values as independence, freedom and honor. I wish you would faithfully and honorably fulfill the words of the oath,” added Deputy Mayor Maciej Małkowski.
Private Rafał Rybiński also spoke during the ceremony. “I am convinced that this solemn moment will remain in our memory forever. I hope that the results achieved during further service will open the way for some of us to professional military service,” he said.
The remainder of the ceremony featured a parade drill display, ending with a ceremonial volley. The ceremony concluded with a parade of units from the 23rd Artillery Brigade. The presentation of artillery equipment, which could be admired in Piłsudski Square, attracted considerable interest.
(23rd Artillery Brigade information/ii)