Polish Army Day - we thank the soldiers for their service
15.08.2022
“As Marshal Piłsudski said - independence is not only a valuable but also very expensive good. To maintain independence, we must invest in the army, military equipment and infrastructure. I did not expect that we would be criticized for rapidly increasing Poland's security. Despite these attacks and unjustified criticism, together with the Mr. President, we will be consistent in our efforts to modernize the Polish Army, increase its numbers and strengthen alliances” - said Mariusz Błaszczak, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of National Defence during the central celebration of the Polish Army Day in Warsaw.
On Monday, August the 15th , on the Polish Army Day and the anniversary of the Battle of Warsaw, with the participation of the President of the Republic of Poland, the head of the Ministry of National Defence and the commanding staff of the Polish Armed Forces in Warsaw, a solemn guard change was held at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
During the ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of National Defence Mariusz Błaszczak drew attention to the difficult moment for the security of Poland, Europe and the world where the holiday is celebrated.
“This year's celebrations take place at a dramatically difficult time. Across our eastern border, a bloody battle is fought for the freedom and independence of Ukraine and for the future of all European nations. Years go by, and one thing does not change: imperial Russia has always been on the side of evil. Our task is to stop the spread of this evil”
- said Deputy Prime Minister M. Błaszczak.
“I would like to make a commitment to the Mr. President that, as chairman of the Committee of the Council of Ministers for Security and Defence Affairs, I will continue all the works that were started when Prime Minister Jarosław Kaczyński was the chairman of this committee. Russia's aggression has confirmed that Poland has chosen the right direction for the development of the Polish armed forces. Ladies and Gentlemen, we are consistent in our actions”
- he emphasized.
The soldiers of the Land Forces, Air Forces, Navy, Special Forces, Support Inspectorate, Territorial Defence Forces, Military Police, Cyberspace Defence Forces and the Warsaw Garrison Command took part in the central ceremonies in Warsaw. This year, the role of the honorary sub-unit was played by the Polish Army Representative Company, and the musical setting was provided by the Polish Army Representative Orchestra.
During the ceremony, the so-called cannon salute from 12 salvos was made. The President of the Republic of Poland, Andrzej Duda, together with a delegation, including the head of the Ministry of Defence, laid a wreath on the tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
During the ceremony, the President of the Republic of Poland, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Poland, Andrzej Duda, in the presence of Deputy Prime Minister Mariusz Błaszczak, handed general nominations to the soldiers of the Polish Army.
The following were appointed to the rank of Lieutenant General:
MajGen Piotr Błazeusz- Deputy Chief of General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces, Warsaw
MajGen Grzegorz Gielerak - Director of Military Medical Institute, Warsaw
A general was appointed to the rank of Major General:
BrigGen Zenon Brzuszko- Commander of the Multinational Division North-East, Elbląg
The following were appointed to the rank of brigadier general:
COL Grzegorz Barabieda - Commander of the 10th Armoured Cavalry Brigade
COL pilot Paweł Bigos – Commander of the 1st Airlift Base
COL Piotr Fajkowski – Commander of the 15th Mechanized Brigade
COL Hubert Glica – Chief of the Center of Monitoring and Analysis of the Minister of National Defence
COL Ph.D. Artur Kuptel - Chief of the Arms Agency
COL Rafał Miernik – Commander of the 19th Mechanized Brigade
COL Ph.D. Mariusz Pawluk – Commander of the 25th Air Cavalry Brigade
COL Bogdan Pidanty – Chief of the Military Foreign Affairs Department MOD
Andrzej Duda, President of the Republic of Poland, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, thanked the soldiers for their professional service for the security of Poland. He recalled the support of Polish soldiers, which they gave to our allies last year, conducted an extremely dangerous operation to evacuate the civilians from Afghanistan.
“Today the Polish soldier has his/her great holiday. Today we thank the soldiers for their persistent service, bravery and responsibility, for exemplary daily performance of duties, sometimes even at the risk of their lives. Such difficult years have not been for all of us in recent times. I wish all soldiers and military families, families of veterans, that Poland will always be safe, that you never have to stand up for the defence of the Motherland with arms in hand. Long live the Polish soldier. Long live free and sovereign Poland”
- said President A. Duda.
The celebrations at Marshal Piłsudski Square in Warsaw ended with the singing of the Polish Army Representative Song and a parade of sub-units.
On August the 15th , the President of the Republic of Poland, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Andrzej Duda, in the presence of Deputy Prime Minister Mariusz Błaszczak, laid flowers in front of the Monument to the Victims of the Smolensk Tragedy on April 10, 2010, the monument to the late President Lech Kaczyński and the monument to Marshal Józef Piłsudski.
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