The most important holiday for soldiers was commemorated on 17 August with a ceremonial assembly of the 23rd Silesian Artillery Regiment. At the invitation of Colonel Andrzeja Lorenca, commander of the 23rd Artillery Regiment, the event was attended by representatives of the local authorities of the city and Bolesławiec County, representatives of the municipalities cooperating with the unit, commanders and heads of institutions and units of the Bolesławiec Garrison, flag parties of veterans’ associations and organisations, representatives of uniformed services, members of associations and organisations bringing together former professional soldiers from Bolesławiec, Zgorzelec, Głogów and Jelenia Góra, as well as representatives of institutions cooperating with the regiment.
The ceremonial assembly provided an opportunity to present medals and decorations to soldiers and civilian military employees for exemplary service and work. Colonel Andrzej Lorenc, accompanied by Colonel Krzysztofa Bienia, commander of the Military Logistics Unit in Świętoszów, and Lieutenant Colonel Andrzeja Łuki, military commander of the Bolesławiec military recruitment centre, presented appointments to subsequent military ranks, state and ministerial decorations, as well as the Iraq and Afghanistan Stars for service in Polish Military Contingents.
During the ceremony, the “23rd Artillery Regiment’s Master of Fire” title was also awarded to Captain Grzegorz Podolszański (the runner-up title went to Captain Pawłowi Jabłońskiemu).
“Traditionally, on Polish Army Day, decorations were presented and the best soldiers were recognised. In this way, the Republic of Poland honours the effort of daily military service and appreciates those who serve it best,” said Colonel Lorenc. The assembly concluded with a parade of the regiment’s subunits accompanied by the Representative Band of the Land Forces from Żagań.
After the ceremony, military families met at a military picnic organised jointly with the Association of Former Soldiers of the 62nd Special Company “Commando”. The organisers prepared numerous competitions and games. The festival was enhanced by dance performances, including a presentation by the “Mały Bolesławiec” Song and Dance Ensemble, as well as vocal performances by Klaudii Suchenek from the “Baryt” Search and Rescue Unit and participants in the vocal workshop at the Youth Cultural Centre in Bolesławiec.
(information: Captain Remigiusz Kwieciński/ii)