On this occasion, soldiers of the 10th Armored Cavalry Brigade and employees of the Ministry of National Defence took part in a ceremonial assembly.
Capt. Katarzyna Sawicka:
On 15 August 1920, the Battle of Warsaw took place on the outskirts of Warsaw. The Polish Army defeated the Bolshevik forces and saved the recently regained independence. The Polish Army, commanded by Marshal Józef Piłsudski, achieved a great victory over the Red Army. Our ancestors, showing the greatest determination and heroism, secured an independent existence for the Homeland.
After the report was received by the commander of the armored brigade, the words of the Anthem of the Republic of Poland rang out across the Świętoszów parade square. Polish soldiers sang these same words almost a hundred years ago. “Poland has not yet perished, so long as we live” – how genuinely they sounded on their lips at that time.
And yet they knew well that many of them were going into mortal combat and would never return from the Wieprz River, from Radzymin, from Ossów or from the many other places where battles were fought then and later. The blood of Polish soldiers marked the earth in many regions. All those who fought knew that this was necessary to save the Homeland, so that successive generations of Poles could live in a free and independent country.
On Wednesday morning, with great respect and reflection once again, the soldiers of the 10th Armored Cavalry Brigade remembered that time. During the ceremonial assembly held on the occasion of Polish Armed Forces Day, the commander of the Świętoszów unit presented soldiers with promotion certificates for their next military ranks. The soldiers proudly waited as the commander placed a black shoulder board bearing the higher rank on each of them. This moment will certainly remain in their memories for a long time.
In addition, the commander presented commendations to employees of the Ministry of National Defence and to a soldier of the armored brigade whose conduct prevented a person attempting to operate a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol from breaking the law. Private Patryk Krysztofiak confirmed that the conduct of the Świętoszów soldiers is worthy of emulation.
Commander of the armored brigade:
The armed effort of Our compatriots is an inseparable part of the Polish nation. The anniversary of the Battle of Warsaw directs Our attention to what is most important and precious in the life of states and nations: the national virtues with which we should identify and toward which we strive.
As we bow our heads before the heroes of those days, let us also remember the many other generations of Poles who paid the sacrifice of blood in the struggle for independence, for the survival of the Nation and the inviolability of Its borders.
On this exceptional and special day, I offer you – soldiers and Employees of the Ministry of National Defence – my sincerest wishes. I wish you health and every success in your personal lives and daily service and work. I also thank you for your faithful and self-sacrificing service to Our brigade and Homeland. Thank you for building Poland’s fine image and thereby ensuring the safety of all Its citizens.
At the end of his speech, Colonel Artur PikońArtur Pikoń offered warm congratulations to the soldiers promoted to the next military ranks, as well as to the commended soldier and the employees of the Ministry of National Defence.
The assembly concluded with a parade of subunits. Marching before the reviewing stand, the soldiers proudly displayed their uniforms with the white-and-red flag on their sleeves. Polish Armed Forces Day is the holiday of each of Them.