Amid the multitude of official duties and responsibilities, the artillerymen found time to put smiles on their children’s faces and bring soldiers’ families together during a joint St Nicholas Day celebration.
Dance competitions and vocal performances, led by senior warrant officer Rafał Jazłowiecki and senior private Dominik Flinik, brought smiles to the children’s faces. The children had the opportunity to demonstrate their dancing and artistic abilities, as well as considerable skill in numerous physical-fitness competitions.
In addition to having fun, the youngest participants learned first aid from medical rescuer senior private Paweł Ostrowski, learned the art of carving watermelons under the guidance of senior corporal Tomasz Sokołowski, and watched a demonstration of hand-to-hand combat techniques performed by instructor senior private Mateusz Gawura.
Other attractions prepared by the organizers included drawing competitions, physical-fitness games and activities, military-themed knowledge competitions, and Oculus virtual-reality simulators. The nearly three hundred participants in the St Nicholas Day celebration were once again not disappointed by the attractions prepared for them by the soldiers and members of the “Commando” Association.
For the somewhat older children, commandos from the Association of Former Soldiers of the 62nd Special Company “Commando” held an air-gun shooting tournament for the regiment commander’s cup. The winners of this and the other competitions received cups and prizes from the deputy commander of the 23rd Artillery Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Witold Zawadzki, and the vice-president of the “Commando” Association, retired senior warrant officer Bogdan Fiałkowski.
In addition to the good music provided by a professional DJ, visitors could sample pea soup, sweets and drinks at the catering points.
The highlight of the celebration was the arrival of two Santa Clauses from distant Lapland, who gave presents to all the children.
As in previous years, the organizers once again rose to the occasion and, as befitted a St Nicholas Day celebration, provided the youngest participants with plenty of joy.