They will visit the graves of soldiers and officers who died on missions. They will travel all over Poland to light candles in 123 graves in a fewer weeks, to celebrate the memory of their colleagues and to meet their families. “We cannot forget those who have devoted their lives to their homeland,” says Colonel Andrzej Soboń of AszWoj, who participates in the Veterans Motorcycle Rally all year.
Soldiers of the 18th Mechanized Division, headed by the division commander Gen. Dyw. Arkadiusz Szkutnik, set out to participate in the 6th Veterans Motorcycle Rally.
Veterans Motorcycle Rally is organised by Veteran Centre for Activities outside the State Borders with the support of another uniformed services. This is his sixth edition. The initiative brings together those who want to honor the memory of the dead, pay tribute to them and support their families.
At the inauguration in Zgierz, lovers of single-signs, including veterans, soldiers, uniformed officers, but besides civilians, checked in. This year's edition attracted about 1.6 1000 people. As all year, bikers divided into groups will travel around the country to scope 123 graves of those who did not return from the mission. The rally participants light candles, make flowers, meet families of the fallen. Local governments, uniform classes, and clergy are besides included in the action. This phase lasts from April 25 to May 29.
– 1 cannot forget those who, according to a soldier's oath, have devoted their lives to their homeland. We want to show that the homeland has not forgotten them. The Academy of War Art participates in this crucial task as all year and together with 12 another institutions from Mazowsza on 16 May we will visit the graves of colleagues located in the north-eastern part of the region – said Colonel Andrzej Soboń of AszWoj, with whom about a 100 riders moved to the rally. The officer emphasizes that they are guided by the sense of work and the Polish right of state.
Captain Marcin Auguscik of the 1st Bomb Squad in Brzeg reminds that about 350 participants took part in the first rally. Since then, all edition of the action has gained popularity. There's 26 soldiers from his unit in the biker group he's driving in. They are joined by colleagues from another units and institutions in the area. And he adds that they will be pleased to welcome further volunteers to join the action. “The point is not to forget our colleagues who died on missions outside the country. any of us knew them personally, says Captain Augustik.
The end of the rally was planned in Gdynia on 29 May during the central celebrations of Veteran Day of Activities outside the State Borders.
As the organizers point out, the rally enjoys the designation of the Minister of National Defence and the president of Poland, and its importance for the integration of uniformed environments grows all year. And since the second edition of the event, she is accompanied by auction of a unique motorcycle helmet (founded this year by the Polish Armed Forces Group Foundation) whose motifs are painted by St. Asp. Marek Szatkowski of PSP in Lesko. All the income from the auction goes to the needy veterans.
“Army Poland” is the media patron of the rally.
