As part of this year's celebrations of the Artillery and Rocket Forces Day, the 23rd Artillery Regiment supported the Association of Former Soldiers of the 62nd Special Commando Company in organizing the military picnic “For Independence,” held on the centenary of the Restoration of Independence.
From the morning of 14 December this year, the artillerymen were the first to compete. They commemorated their holiday with the individual “For Independence” race over a distance of two and a half kilometers.
After the race, activities aimed at young people began. The “For Independence” Military Picnic, held on the centenary of the Restoration of Independence, took the form of team competitions, an individual Shooting Tournament and an individual race. More than 300 students took part, representing ten schools from the Lower Silesian and Lubusz voivodeships that educate young people in uniformed classes.
The events included individual and team competitions testing practical skills in thematic categories such as shooting with long-barreled and short-barreled air weapons, grenade throwing, disassembling and assembling weapons, and loading a magazine against the clock. Being at the unit also enabled the students to learn about the specifics of artillery service and military equipment.
On this special day, the unit was also visited by students of a special school from Bolesławiec, whom the picnic organizers presented with Christmas parcels. The school orchestra from Rakowice Wielkie provided the vocal accompaniment.
The military picnic was summed up during a ceremonial assembly. After the final competition report was read, representatives of the Ministry of National Defence, the 23rd Artillery Regiment and the Association of Former Soldiers of the 62nd Special Commando Company presented the winners with medals, cups and material prizes. The picnic, which was co-financed by the Ministry of National Defence, was summarized by Lt. Col. Przemysław Brukiewa and Dorota Szwejser from the Department of Education, Culture and Heritage of the Ministry of National Defence.
The race was won by Platoon Commander Kamil Makoś, ahead of Senior Staff Sergeant Przemysław Lachowski and Senior Corporal Artur Ratkiewicz. The individual winner of the shooting tournament was Dawid Adamowicz from the Uniformed Services High School in Wrocław. Dawid Mocny took second place, and Jakub Piechowski third; both represent the School Complex of Economics and Technology in Rakowice Wielkie.
In the girls' category, the gold medal went to Patrycja Taratuta, the silver to Wiktoria Kroczak, and the bronze to Sandra Sidorowicz; all represented the Uniformed Services High School in Wrocław.
In the team classification, first place went to students from the School Complex of Economics and Technology in Rakowice Wielkie, second to the team from II General Secondary School in Bolesławiec, and third to the School Complex in Lubomierz.