The main point of the celebrations of the most important holiday for soldiers was the ceremony, at which American soldiers stationed in Bolesławiec stood shoulder to shoulder with Polish soldiers and employees of the Ministry of National Defence of the 23rd Artillery Regiment. Due to restrictions resulting from the COVID-19 threat, only commanders of garrison institutions and commanders of American subunits took part in the ceremony.
After the Polish and American national flags were raised and the national anthems played, the importance and significance of the Battle of Warsaw in preserving the Homeland’s sovereignty and protecting Europe from the Bolshevik revolution were emphasized by the acting regiment commander, Lieutenant Colonel Marek Wasielewski:
The Polish Armed Forces Day celebrated today holds a special place in our tradition. On August 15, 1920, the Battle of Warsaw took place on the outskirts of Warsaw, in which the Polish Army saved its recently regained independence and halted the destructive advance of Bolshevism into Europe. The Polish Armed Forces, commanded by Marshal Józef Piłsudski, achieved a great victory over the Red Army. By demonstrating the greatest determination and heroism along the Vistula, Wieprz and Wkra rivers, our ancestors secured an independent existence for the Homeland.
Today, once again, we remember that time with great respect and reflection. By paying tribute to our soldier predecessors, we express our remembrance of their momentous deeds and the moral values they promoted, which, despite the passage of years, remain unchanged for soldiers and citizens alike. Of “God, Honour and Homeland.”
The artillery commander also referred to Polish-American cooperation, both in the area of training and with regard to jointly participating in celebrations of holidays and historical events important to both nations.
The artillerymen’s ceremony provided an opportunity to present promoted soldiers with appointments to subsequent military ranks, departmental medals and decorations, as well as material awards and letters of congratulations. The ceremony concluded with a parade of the regiment’s subunits.
As every year, on the day of the soldiers’ holiday, team shooting competitions for the commander of the 23rd Artillery Regiment’s cup were held at the garrison shooting range in Bolesławiec, using a military pistol and a kbs Beryl rifle. Teams representing the regiment’s subunits, as well as a team of American soldiers, took part in the competition. After the rules and safety conditions had been discussed, the soldiers began competing for points for their subunits.
This year, the soldiers of the command battery of the 3rd Rocket Artillery Squadron proved to be the best. The team from the 2nd Rocket Artillery Battery of the 3rd Squadron took second place, while the representation of the 1st Self-Propelled Artillery Squadron came third. After the shooting tournament, soldiers of the Academic Legion and American soldiers competed together in volleyball and football matches, which once again helped strengthen allied ties.