We remember those who left, carrying out on behalf of our homeland the most crucial allied tasks. They stay in our hearts and in our memory," said Stanisław Wzątek, Undersecretary of State at MON, during the Memorial Day of the Missions. The celebrations were held at a memorial dedicated to soldiers who did not return from the mission to their home at the Veteran Centre in Warsaw.
On Saturday, the main celebrations were commemorating soldiers who died on missions. In the morning a mass was celebrated in the Capital Department of the Polish Army in their intention, then the Appeal of the Deceased was held at the Veterans Centre. It mentions soldiers who died in missions of the United Nations, NATO and the EU across the world. The ceremony was attended by commanders and representatives of types of armed forces, families of the deceased, clergymen, soldiers and staff of the Ministry of National Defence.
“The Polish state sends soldiers to support allies around the world, so it must remember them,” said Deputy Minister Stanisław Wzątek. He assured that the ministry recognized the commitment and dedication of all veteran, so the Polish State must be grateful to them and repay them in a concrete and unambiguous manner. He besides mentioned the revised Veterans Act, which will guarantee that any soldier who is injured during a mission outside the country is compensated for all percent of the damage.
Deputy Prime Minister Katarzyna Rodziwska, manager of the Veteran Centre, recalled that On December 21, 2011, 5 soldiers from the 20th Bartoszik Mechanized Brigade died in Afghanistan.. “This day was established not only to mention these 5 soldiers, but to remember the 123 soldiers and army workers who gave their lives serving their country, who fulfilled the word of the military oath to the end,” she said. She asked the families of the soldiers who died to remember their loved ones joyfully, due to the fact that then “they come and are with us.” She besides thanked them for their support.
Krystyna Ambrozińska, parent of Captain Daniel Ambroziński, who died in Afghanistan, spoke on behalf of the families of the soldiers who died. This day is especially painful for us, but very important. Let it be a reminder that freedom and safety have their price," she said.
The ceremony was besides attended by veterans who remembered the colleagues with whom they served on missions. They lacked military luck to come home. We pay tribute to them and show that we remember – says Tomasz Kloc, president of the Association of the injured and injured in Missions outside the Borders of the Country.
On December 21, celebrations commemorating soldiers killed on missions are besides held in their home units. There are runnings dedicated to their memory, flowers appear on their graves and candles burn, and services are held in garrison churches.
The Memorial Day on the Missions is December 21 – the date of the most tragic event in the past of participation of the Polish Army in abroad operations. On that day in 2011, in Afghanistan, they died: Mł. Chor. Piotr Ciesielski, St. Sgt. Marcin Szczurowski, Sergeant. Łukasz Krawiec, Sergeant. Marek Tomala and Sergeant. Krystian Banach.
