The first ten days of August each year are a special time for the 10th Armored Cavalry Brigade, as they directly recall the glorious tradition of the Polish Armed Forces. After taking part in the defeated September Campaign of 1939 and the French Campaign (1940), in 1944 General Maczek’s soldiers took part in a victorious campaign, landing with the Allied forces on the beaches of Normandy. The last subunits of the 1st Armored Division, commanded by General Stanisław Maczek, landed on the beach on August 1. The Division entered combat on August 8, 1944, as part of the 1st Canadian Army during Operation “Totalise,” thus beginning its glorious march toward victory over the forces of the Third Reich.
To commemorate these events, August 8 became the holiday of the 10th Armored Cavalry Brigade by decision of the Minister of National Defence.
Friday’s ceremony marking the annual holiday of the Świętoszów unit began with the honor company entering the parade ground. Brigade Commander Brigadier General Rafał Kowalik welcomed the guests and then addressed the soldiers and employees of the Ministry of National Defence of the 10th Armored Cavalry Brigade:
The past year and the current year have been and continue to be a time of many challenges and the constant performance of tasks that we always strive to carry out to the highest standard. A commander never acts alone; he can achieve success thanks to the dedication of his soldiers… Together, we accomplished the tasks assigned to the Brigade, requiring great commitment, dedication, and, at the same time, the demonstration of the highest professional skills—military professionalism.
He added:
I sincerely thank you for every hour of your service, for carrying out every task, and for actions aimed at building the team that is “Our” Brigade.
The decisions awarding the Afghanistan Star and departmental medals were then read out. After these decorations were presented, personnel orders appointing soldiers to higher military ranks were read out. In addition to medals and promotions, the armored soldiers also received Badges of the Minister of Health, Badges and Commemorative Rings of the 10th Armored Cavalry Brigade, and an order awarding the honorary title “Distinguished Soldier of the Republic of Poland” was read out.
In recognition of their support for people devoted to the defense of the Homeland, the armored soldiers’ commander honored former commanders of the unit, as well as representatives of local and municipal authorities, with commemorative medals, miniatures of the Brigade’s standard, and commemorative gifts. The commander also thanked the soldiers for their conscientious service and commitment, presenting them with gorgets and recognizing them with leave, commendations, and letters of congratulations.
Next, in recognition of his service, reserve colonel Eugeniusz Praczuk, vice-president of the National Board of the Veterans’ Club of the 1st Dresden Armored Corps of the Polish Armed Forces, presented the commander of the 10th Armored Cavalry Brigade with thanks and awarded him the “For Merit to the Association of Veterans of the Republic of Poland” badge.
The presentation of distinctions, appointments, and acknowledgments preceded ceremonial speeches by the head of the Armored and Mechanized Forces Board (who was also a former commander of the Świętoszów unit), the commander of the 11th Lubusz Armored Cavalry Division, and representatives of local authorities.
After the “Representative Song of the Polish Armed Forces,” performed by the Military Band in Żagań, a drill display by subunits of the 10th Armored Cavalry Brigade took place. The ceremony concluded with a parade of subunits and military equipment.