Lt. Józef Skrenecki, who for more than 2 years has been cared for by the patients from the Military and Medical University College, celebrated his 100th birthday on September 16. For students of the Łódź College, supporting the erstwhile soldier Gen. Anders is more than just volunteering – it is simply a lesson in history, patriotism and military brotherhood.
Lieutenant Józef Skrenecki.
The beginning of an extraordinary mission
In spring 2023 until Military Center for Medical Education The question was raised in Łódź about the anticipation of taking care of a combatant who, due to his age and condition, needed support. At the time, the commander, Colonel Zbigniew Askelanek, decided to affect volunteers from among the subjects – future military doctors, educated as part of the Military and Medical College of the Medical University of Łódź, subject to the Academy of Land Forces in Wrocław.
– It was clear to us that contact with a hero, a individual who remembers the tragic image of planet War II, affects the formation in us, future medical officers, patriotic attitudes, shapes soft competences, specified as feeling in relations with the elderly, builds empathy and is simply a surviving example of brotherhood in uniform. 10 people came forward immediately, who formed the “Veterinary Care Group” – said Lieutenant-General Konrad Chupka.
Group for peculiar tasks – beyond duty, with the request of the heart
Since May 2023, the Veteran Care Group has regularly visited Mr Joseph and his wife, Mrs Krystyna. 3 times a week, 2 or three-man teams appear at the home of the Skonecki State, helping them with regular duties: shopping, cleaning, laundry. – Due to our future speciality, we each conduct measurements of basic life parameters and evidence them in the visitation log. We carefully note our actions in it, so that each next group can rapidly and reliably verify needs and possible changes in health," added Lieutenant-General Paulina Skiba.
These visits besides have a intellectual aspect – conversations with Mr.Joseph bring relief to him and valuable past lessons to his patients. “We are besides trying to activate Mr.Joseph through assistance during state and union ceremonies in the country and abroad. Interaction with WCKMed staff We organize Christmas and Easter meetings. Whenever there's a chance, Chief, Colonel Dr. Ing. Jacek Narloch invites Mr Joseph to the Centre for military and patriotic celebrations – Ms Skib said.
“Never again a Pole becomes a executioner for a Pole”
Mr Józef Skrenecki, despite his 100 years of age, is active and eager to share memories. Although, as he admits, not all are easy. “He does not avoid talking about his or her family’s experiences,” said Lieutenant Skiba. He doesn't say much about fighting. He's seen death many times. He most gladly tells about his return from England to Poland in 1947, erstwhile he joined his household after years of wandering. The return was sweet-bitter for him, due to the fact that almost immediately joy was replaced by fear of persecution from communists. The patch of the “andersiak” followed him until the 1960s – explains Lieutenant Skiba.
Direct contact with General Anders's soldier is simply a peculiar experience for young cadets and soldiers. “We are ambassadors of the young generation, which should be especially grateful for the anticipation of surviving and developing in free Poland”, said Arkadiusz Gucwa. “We consider our aid as a form of gratitude for the sacrifice of Mr Joseph. It is an honor to talk to the hero of planet War II, and even more to be able to participate in his life – he adds.
The hero's birthday – a celebration of surviving history
On September 5, 2025, at the Military Center for Medical Training in Łódź, the authoritative celebration of the 100th birthday of Lieutenant Józef Skrzynecki was held. In the presence of the commander of WCKMed, Colonel Dr. Jacek Narloch, a delegation from the ZKRPiBWP, UdsKiOR, the Military Orchestra and the staff and students, Mr. Joseph accepted many wishes and... 100 cards from children from all over Poland and abroad.
– We know that Mr. Joseph loves to receive conventional cards, so we wanted to give him this birthday present. The action “100 cards per 100 years” included simple schools from all over Poland, as well as 1 school from Italy. We besides joined the wishes," said St. Kpr. pchor. Gucwa. “Children’s pages are an crucial part of building a multi-generational memorial plaque,” she notes.
From generation to generation – an thought that lives
Mr Sklarecki's care was permanently included in WCKMed's activities in the field of patriotic education. Thanks to the engagement of the subjects, cooperation with the Union of the Polish Combatants and erstwhile political prisoners was established. Within this framework, actions of sending Christmas cards and packages to the Łódź Voivodeship veterans were implemented.
– Meetings with Mr. Joseph confirm to us that serving in the Polish Army is simply a good choice, which we are and will be arrogant of. Thanks to specified an example, it is easier to endure everyday hardships," said Katarzyna Wieląc. – Whenever asked about the influence of Mr. Joseph on our lives, we remember a rainy, November evening and an appeal on the occasion of Podchorze Day. The cold ones stood in front of almost a century old Mr.Joseph, who, despite his age, was there with us. He didn't have to. But he was. Then we said to ourselves, “If you want him, then we must!” she added.
Cooperation That Raises and Builds Memory
Senior soldier care is more than a motion for young people – it is simply a conscious action and a lesson of responsibility. In time, a wider initiative was born – cooperation between WCKMed and the Łódź Kombatan community. Young soldiers last year prepared and delivered Christmas packages and greeting cards on their own initiative. There are also activities in the plans. – Thanks to his commitment to care for Mr.Joseph, cooperation between the Union of the Polish Combatants and the erstwhile political prisoners and the WCKMed in Łódź was established, which allowed to extend the Kombatant environment in the region to aid – said Mr. Chupka.
The celebrations of the 100th birthdays of Lt. Józef Skrzynecki became not only a celebration of 1 hero, but besides a symbol of generational dialogue, respect and concern. For students, it is not a one-time project, but a long-term mission that teaches responsibility, gratitude and gives authentic evidence to the values on which military service is based. The example of Mr Joseph and the attitude of young soldiers show that memory and patriotism can have a real, everyday dimension – and that surviving past continues to inspire.
General Anders' soldier
Lieutenant Józef Skrenecki was born on 16 September 1925 in Radoszyce, Kielce. As a teenager, he survived the siege of Lviv and the russian occupation. In 1942, he was exported to Germany for forced labour. After escaping in the fall of 1944 he joined 2nd Polish Corps Italy. After training in reserve units, he became a tanker in the 4th Armoured Regiment "Scorpion". He participated in battles on the Pad River, among others. After the war, he built Polish war cemeteries in Loretta and Monte Cassino.
After the war, despite persecution from communist authorities, he returned to the country. He refused to participate in the regime's structures, lost his occupation respective times, but yet earned his education and became a valued engineer working in the USSR, Iraq and Egypt.
In 2023, in designation of merit, he was appointed Lieutenant of the Polish Army. Awarded, among others, the independency Star 1918–2018, the British Medal of War 1939–1945, the medal "Pro Bono Poloniae", the Honorary Cross of Inka, as well as the distinctions of ZKRPiBWP.
