A solemn assembly was preceded by a Mass for the departing soldiers at the Bolesławiec Marian Basilica, celebrated by Prelate Andrzej Jarosiewicz, PhD.Andrzej Jarosiewicz.
After the Eucharist, the honor company, soldiers of the Polish Military Contingent EUFOR, subunits of the 23rd Silesian Artillery Regiment, and American soldiers stationed at the Bolesławiec barracks marched through the city streets to the square in front of the town hall, accompanied by the Military Orchestra from Szczecin.
At precisely 12:00 p.m., the main part of the ceremony began in Bolesławiec Market Square. During the ceremony, the commander of the 23rd Artillery Regiment—the unit responsible for forming and preparing the 18th rotation of the Polish Military Contingent EUFOR ALTHEA—Colonel Grzegorz Potrzuski bid farewell to the contingent before the unit’s personnel:
You face a difficult and important task. For the next six months, you will carry out an extremely responsible and, at the same time, dangerous stabilization mission in one of Europe’s most volatile areas. Always remember honor, justice, Poland—our homeland—and, of course, your homes and loved ones.
The importance of the ceremony was underscored by the presence of the deputy commander of the 11th Armored Cavalry Division, Brigadier General Dariusz Parylak, PhD, Dariusza Parylaka, head of the Rocket and Artillery Forces of the 11th Armored Cavalry Division, Colonel Jacek Kiliński, Jacka Kilińskiego, representing the General Commander of the Branches of the Armed Forces; Colonel Dariusz Skrodzki, Dariusza Skrodzkiego, representing the Operational Commander of the Branches of the Armed Forces; commanders of units and institutions providing soldiers for the contingent; commanders of “Black Division” units; American soldiers stationed in Bolesławiec; administrative authorities of the county and city; commanders of garrison institutions and uniformed services; clergy; and associations representing military communities.
After the order concerning the formation and preparation of the 18th rotation of the Polish Military Contingent in the EUFOR International Forces in Bosnia and Herzegovina was read, a protocol was signed transferring the contingent under the authority of the Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces.
On behalf of the General Commander of the Branches of the Armed Forces, the protocol was signed by Colonel Jacek Kiliński, while Colonel Dariusz Skrodzki signed on behalf of the Operational Command of the Branches of the Armed Forces. It was a symbolic act confirming that the 18th rotation of the Polish Military Contingent EUFOR had achieved full readiness to carry out its mandated tasks.
In accordance with a tradition cultivated in the regiment, the soldiers departing on a military mission far from their home garrison were presented with symbols of the unit and the region. The delegation of the 18th rotation of the Polish Military Contingent EUFOR, led by the contingent commander, Lieutenant Colonel Grzegorz Pawełko, Grzegorzem Pawełką received flags of the unit, county, and city from Colonel Grzegorz Potrzuski, Bolesławiec County Head Tomasz Gabrysiak, Tomasza Gabrysiaka and Bolesławiec City Secretary Jerzy Zieliński.Jerzego Zielińskiego
Next, the commander of the 18th rotation of the Polish Military Contingent EUFOR, Lieutenant Colonel Grzegorz Pawełko, thanked the commanders of the units providing components for the contingent for their cooperation, as well as other uniformed institutions for supporting the soldiers’ preparation for the mission. Thanking the soldiers for their efforts to date, he emphasized that he would do everything possible to carry out, to the highest standard, all tasks assigned to the contingent under his command:
We are aware of the challenge and the duty to carry out the tasks before us. I assure you that, as ambassadors of our country and the Polish Armed Forces, we will perform them to the highest standard. It is a true honor for us to contribute to maintaining peace and building democracy as part of the EUFOR stabilization mission.
The ceremony concluded with a parade of the subunits, after which the soldiers of the 18th rotation of the Polish Military Contingent EUFOR shared a meal with their families, loved ones, and guests attending the ceremony.