The celebrations of the Rocket Forces and Artillery Holiday, held on December 7, began with the laying of flowers beneath commemorative plaques dedicated to artillery units whose traditions are cultivated by the 23rd Artillery Regiment and which were once stationed in the Bolesławiec garrison.
The regiment’s Tradition Hall, which had undergone extensive modernization, was then opened. The opening was performed by the former head of the Artillery of the Silesian Military District, retired Brigadier General Antoni Skibiński, and the commander of the 23rd Artillery Regiment, Colonel Andrzej Lorenc.
After the facility was consecrated and a prayer was said for those who created the history of our Regiment with their lives, a presentation was held on the unit’s traditions and contemporary activities. Former artillery chiefs present at the ceremony shared their reflections and recalled the activities of units that no longer exist.
At the same time, as part of the open barracks day, the unit hosted young people, children with disabilities, participants in occupational therapy workshops, and residents of two Bolesławiec community homes. Young people from Bolesławiec familiarized themselves with the unit’s equipment, visited the Tradition Hall and learned first-aid principles. Members of the Association of Former Soldiers of the 62nd Special Company also prepared fitness demonstrations and military competitions.
The highlight of this year’s Artillery Holiday celebrations was a ceremonial assembly attended by former commanders, a large group of artillerymen and former unit soldiers, the administrative authorities of Bolesławiec and neighboring towns, as well as unit commanders, uniformed-service chiefs and representatives of companies cooperating with Bolesławiec’s artillerymen.
The commander of the 23rd Artillery Regiment, Colonel Andrzej Lorenc, honored soldiers serving in Polish Military Contingents by presenting Afghanistan Stars, medals and departmental decorations, as well as promotion documents for higher military ranks. The year’s recipients of the titles of officer, non-commissioned officer and private were then honored, along with—for the first time!—the employee of the year. Major Mariusz Ziętek, Warrant Officer Sławomir Tkacz, and Senior Private Daniel Mandżak received commemorative gorgets and congratulations, while among the military employees, Health and Safety Inspector Marian Łaba was honored. Colonel Lorenc also thanked the commanders and chiefs of institutions cooperating with the artillerymen.
The artillery assembly provided an opportunity to welcome the soldiers of the Artillery Training Specialists Team, who had returned after completing their tasks in the Polish Military Contingent in Afghanistan. The team commander, Lieutenant Colonel Sławomir Kula, presented the Bolesławiec district governor, the city mayor and the regiment commander with symbols of the region and the unit that had been entrusted to them before departure and accompanied the artillerymen on their mission.
After the honors, ceremony participants listened to several lectures. First, Major Leszek Szostek introduced them to the history of artillery; then the head of the WRiA Team at the General Tadeusz Kościuszko Military University of Land Forces, Lieutenant Colonel PhD Norbert Świętochowski, delivered a paper on the present and development prospects of artillery. The lecture series concluded with Lieutenant Colonel Sławomir Kula. The commander of the Artillery Training Specialists Team shared observations from the mission and discussed the tasks carried out by the artillerymen in Afghanistan.
The ceremony concluded with a concert by the Representative Orchestra of the Land Forces from Wrocław, conducted by Sergeant Tomasz Świńczyk.
The artillery holiday in the Bolesławiec garrison concluded with a solemn Mass for the command, soldiers, civilian military employees and their families, celebrated on Sunday, December 9, at the Church of Saints Cyril and Methodius. The service was celebrated by Father Dr. Andrzej Jarosiewicz, retired Lieutenant Colonel Father Wojciech Mroszczak, and the chaplain of the 23rd Artillery Regiment, Captain Father Tomasz Koczy.
(information: Captain Remigiusz Kwieciński/ii)