On Friday, September 11, a ceremonial gathering of soldiers was held on the occasion of the battalion holiday. The ceremony began with the honor company entering the garrison square. Next, the ceremony commander, Maj. Grzegorz Skóra, submitted a report to the battalion commander, Lt. Col. Marek Fiałka, on the readiness of the battalion’s subunits for the ceremonial assembly marking their holiday. After the subunits were inspected, the national flag was raised on the flagpole to the sound of the National Anthem.
After the battalion commander had finished welcoming the invited guests, the orders of the Brigade commander and the commander of the 10th Dragon Mechanized Battalion concerning distinctions were read out. On behalf of the Brigade commander, material awards were presented to the distinguished soldiers by the Brigade’s deputy commander, Col. Paweł Pytko. Next, the resolution of the chapter concerning the awarding of the commemorative badge of the 10th Dragon Mechanized Battalion was read out. The badges were presented to soldiers, reserve soldiers and a member of the Odwach association by Lt. Col. Marek Fiałka. Ceremonial speeches were the next stage of Friday’s gathering.
The battalion commander addressed those assembled:
Throughout its history, the battalion has repeatedly proved that it carried out all its tasks to a very high standard. Since our last holiday, we have taken part in all important undertakings which would not have taken place without our participation, despite preparing another rotation for participation in the Polish Military Contingent in Afghanistan and carrying out tasks במסגרת the Green Border operation.
With the benefit of time, I assess that every Dragon proved during the Karakal-20 exercise that we are tough, responsible and able to operate in the most unfavorable, Spartan conditions, overcome adversities and the problems created for us, and contend with weather and nature, which were not kind to us. Those several days proved that together we can fight and win against everyone and everything; despite our fatigue, we demonstrated the Dragon fighting spirit.
I thank everyone for their effort and sacrifice—I am convinced that the next tasks soon to be assigned to us, as part of the Polish Military Contingent and here at home, will give us opportunities for growth and satisfaction from a mission well fulfilled. [...]
Dragons, on the occasion of our holiday, I would like to sincerely thank you for your service, for the effort and energy each of you puts in every day for the good of the battalion. I would also like to thank your loved ones for their understanding, because it is thanks to them that we were able to carry out tasks far from our homes. I confirm and uphold the words I say every year—it is an honor for me to be the commander of the Dragons.
At the same time, I was asked by the last surviving Dragon of the 10th Dragon Regiment, Mr. Lt. Alojzy Jedamski, to convey wishes of every prosperity, peace of mind and soldiers’ good fortune. Lt. Jedamski was unable to attend our holiday today for official reasons.
DRAGONS, FORWARD!
An unusual element of the ceremony was a performance by the “Pipes and drums” band, followed by the playing of the march of the historic 10th Dragon Regiment.
At the end of the ceremony, the battalion’s subunits regrouped for the parade. The parade of soldiers of the 10th Dragon Mechanized Battalion was closed by the Odwach association.
More about the Dragons of Świętoszów is available on the website of the 10th Armored Cavalry Brigade.