The celebrations of the 23rd Artillery Regiment’s anniversary began with soldiers laying flowers beneath the plaque commemorating the regiment’s patron, Lieutenant General Tadeusz Jordan Rozwadowski, and with a Holy Mass for the 23rd Artillery Regiment on the eve of the anniversary at the Church of Sts Cyril and Methodius in Bolesławiec. The Eucharist was celebrated by the parish priest of the military parish in Świętoszów, Lieutenant Colonel Maciej Śliwa; the parish priest of the local parish, Monsignor Dr Dominik Drapiewski; and the regiment’s chaplain, Lieutenant Maciej Gizicki.
The anniversary assembly marking the 23rd Silesian Artillery Regiment’s anniversary, attended by the deputy commander of the 11th Lubusz Armoured Cavalry Division, former regimental commanders, commanders of units of the 11th Lubusz Armoured Cavalry Division, county and city administrative authorities, representatives of artillery communities and associations, as well as soldiers and employees of the Ministry of National Defence of the 23rd Artillery Regiment, took place in Bolesławiec on 18 March.
“The 10th anniversary of the 23rd Silesian Artillery Regiment, celebrated this year, provides an opportunity to highlight its achievements, inherited traditions, place in the local community, international cooperation, as well as technical modernisation, which over the years has increased its combat potential. It is also an opportunity to emphasise our affiliation with the 11th Lubusz Armoured Cavalry Division. It is within the structure of the ‘Black Division’ that we hone our artillery skills every day, conduct joint exercises and cooperate with other branches of the armed forces, including allied forces, in order to meet new interoperability challenges,” said the commander of the 23rd Artillery Regiment, Colonel Marek WASIELEWSKI.
The commander of the Bolesławiec artillerymen also referred to the history of the anniversary being celebrated, the traditions inherited by the regiment, and the unit’s achievements to date.
The ceremonial assembly provided an opportunity to honour the regiment’s soldiers and Ministry of National Defence employees with ministry medals, “Commemorative Badges of the 23rd Artillery Regiment,” and letters of commendation featuring photographs of the distinguished individuals against the backdrop of the unit’s colours.
Summing up the regiment’s ten-year activity to date in the Bolesławiec garrison and the performance of tasks within the structure of the 11th Lubusz Armoured Cavalry Division, Colonel Wasielewski honoured the commanders of cooperating units and institutions, as well as representatives of the administrative authorities, with a commemorative medal marking the 10th anniversary of the 23rd Artillery Regiment.
The celebrations concluded with a concert by the Representative Orchestra of the Land Forces from Wrocław at the Old Theatre in Bolesławiec.