On August 13, 2021, a ceremony marking Polish Armed Forces Day was held at the 23rd Silesian Artillery Regiment in Bolesławiec. Invited guests included the Bolesławiec County Head – Tomasz Gabrysiak, Bolesławiec Mayor – Piotr Roman, and representatives of other uniformed services.
The ceremony began with a parade by the honor company and the singing of the national anthem. The guests were officially welcomed by Lt. Col. Paweł Jędryczka. The most important part of the day was the presentation of departmental decorations, the promotion of soldiers to subsequent military ranks, and the awarding of distinctions pursuant to the decision of the Minister of National Defence dated July 26, 2021. The Bolesławiec County Head – Tomasz Gabrysiak, together with Lt. Col. Paweł Jędryczka, presented decorations to the distinguished soldiers and conveyed words of appreciation.
“The military has always been an affirmation of the sovereignty of the Polish State, and that remains true today. The history of the Polish Armed Forces is a heroic one, comprising defeats but also certain victories that have enabled us to live today in a free and independent Polish State, while the Polish Armed Forces are a significant power on Europe’s military map,” said the Bolesławiec County Head.
He then addressed the regiment’s soldiers directly:
“It is difficult to imagine Bolesławiec County without the soldiers of the 23rd Silesian Artillery Regiment. You have become a permanent part of the city and county landscape, and we are very proud of your daily service and of your representation of the Polish State on missions in various parts of the world.”
Finally, Tomasz Gabrysiak conveyed his warmest wishes for success in further service and personal life. The ceremony concluded with all the soldiers ceremonially singing the Representative Song of the Polish Armed Forces (i.e. the First Brigade March).