We have a work to remember the dedication of all Poles who, on September 17, 1939, stood in defence of their homeland towards the russian assault – said the participants of the solemn appeal on the occasion of the 85th anniversary of the ZSRS's aggression on Poland. The ceremony at the Katyń Museum in Warsaw was attended, among others, by Deputy Minister of National Defence Stanisław Wzątek and youth from pro-defence organizations.
– Building a future based on peace, 1 must remember crucial moments in the past of our nation, and 1 of them is the date of September 17, 1939, the minute ZSRS attacks on Poland – said Stanisław Wzątek, Deputy Minister of National Defence, at the Katyń Museum in Warsaw during a solemn appeal on the occasion of the 85th anniversary of russian aggression against Poland. Soldiers, combatants, veterans, and nearly 700 uniformed class students and members of pro-defence organizations took part.
The Deputy Minister stressed that the anniversary which we are commemorating present is connected with the crime in the Polish people. – Innocent people died due to the fact that they were patriots, that they wanted to defend their homeland," he said. As he added, we should do everything to build peace and strong, credible alliances, remembering those moments. “Today we are in NATO and we are strengthening our defence capabilities and our military to give us a sense of security,” the deputy minister said.
He emphasized that at the minute the Polish Army and uniformed officers providing assistance and ensuring the safety of people struggling with floods in Lower Silesia and Opole. Lech Parell, Head of the Office for Combatants and Represented Persons, besides spoke about the situation in the south of the country. – Although we are sad to think about the harm caused by the flood, at the same time we feel a large gratitude to all those who have moved with help," said the head of UdsKiOR.
In his speech, Parell recalled that on September 17, 1939, the Red Army attacked the secret protocol to the Ribbentrop-Molotov Pact. Poland, which fought alone with Germany for 2 weeks. He added that present we have a work to remember the sacrifice of all Poles who stood up for their homeland that day. – You must be aware of our past and liable for Poland, let the memory of September 17 be an inspiration for you to work for a better future – appealed the Head of the Office for Combatants to the assembled youth.
Prof. Bogusław Pacek, manager of the Polish Military Museum, whose subsidiary is the Katyń Museum, besides addressed young people. “You are to be the ones who will carry the torch of memory into the future,” said the director. On behalf of the youth, Nadia Frąckowiak, a student of the uniform class of the 1st PUL advanced School named 101 Hunting Squadron in Volomina, appeared. “Our memory of September 17 is simply a reminder of how valuable freedom and independency are,” she said. She besides added that for young people this event from 85 years ago was a commitment not only to remember the heroes of those days, but besides to proceed the traditions of their service and draw strength from their dedication to their homeland.
During the appeal, Deputy Minister Wąątek presented the distinctions awarded by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz to people who care about preserving the memory of our history. On the another hand, the head of the UdsKiOR honored the Pro Patria medals by people cultivating the memory of our history. The wreaths were besides laid at the Katyn Epitaph.
