Organized by the 23rd Artillery Regiment, the military picnic brought together residents of the city and surrounding areas, who, on the eve of National Independence Day, turned out in large numbers to join in celebrating the 101st anniversary of Poland regaining its independence.
Soldiers:
The DANA self-propelled howitzer, WR-40 Langusta rocket launcher and American Humvee were the most frequently visited attractions by the city’s youngest residents.
In addition to the heavy equipment, visitors were interested in the displays of weapons and soldiers’ equipment, as well as lessons in aiming using the “Cyklop” training device.
The somewhat older visitors stopped by the promotional stands of the 23rd Artillery Regiment and the Military Recruitment Office, where soldiers informed those interested about the conditions of military service and recruitment. Soldiers from the bomb-disposal patrol and the Military Police also gave talks about their duties and daily service.
The attractions prepared for picnic participants included hand-to-hand combat demonstrations and a ceremonial drill prepared by soldiers of the 3rd Rocket Artillery Squadron.
The event was rounded out by performances from the Vocal Ensemble of the Club of the 11th “Lubusz” Armoured Cavalry Division from Żagań, “Ostatni Raz,” and the Sixmates band from the Marshal Józef Piłsudski Primary School in Nowa Wieś Zebrzydowska. At the logistics point, visitors could also taste traditional soldiers’ pea soup.
As in other parts of the country where military picnics were held, at precisely 3 p.m. the participants sang the March of the First Brigade—the Representative Song of the Polish Armed Forces—together.
After the picnic, the soldiers took part in the Independence Evening Retreat, joined, at the invitation of the regiment commander, Col. Grzegorz Potrzuski, by city residents and the command and soldiers of the American 8th Engineer Battalion stationed in Bolesławiec.
Below are photographs from the Independence celebrations posted on their Facebook profile by US Army soldiers:
Photographs of American soldiers from the Independence celebrations
During the ceremony, the Independence message of the Minister of National Defence and the Independence Roll Call of Remembrance, concluded with a ceremonial salute, were read out. Commissions to the next military ranks were also presented to eighteen soldiers of the 23rd Artillery Regiment.
The retreat concluded with a parade of subunits and a march through the city streets.