Something that seemed impossible, something that many no longer believed in, thanks to the courage of Polish soldiers and the wisdom of commanders, thanks to the determination and courage of all defenders of our homeland, was achieved – said President Andrzej Duda, speaking about the Battle of Warsaw in 1920.
On Wednesday, Andrzej Duda took part in the festivities marking the Polish Army Day, which falls on Thursday. In the evening, the president laid a wreath at the Monument to the Soldiers of the Ukrainian People’s Republic at the Orthodox cemetery in Wola. He also took part in the call to commemoration at the Monument to the Fallen of 1920 at the Powązki military cemetery. The ceremony was also attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz.
It was the great Victoria, that battle which was called the Battle of Warsaw, was called the Miracle on the Vistula, which began at dawn on August 15, 1920. It was a great battle which ended with a spectacular, extraordinary victory and that is why it is often called the Miracle on the Vistula.
– the president stressed.
As he noted, “this great military act proved to be effective.”
Something that seemed impossible, that many probably did not believe in, but thanks to the courage of Polish soldiers and the wisdom of commanders, thanks to the determination and courage of all defenders of our homeland, it was possible.
– he said
The Polish soldier won this by paying the price of 4.5 thousand killed, 10 thousand missing and almost 22 thousand wounded soldiers in that battle alone, in the Battle of Warsaw.
– said Andrzej Duda.
As he added, “this award can still be seen here and in our other cemeteries in and around Warsaw.”
We lean over it. This is the price of freedom, this is the price of independence, this is the price of survival
– the president stressed.
The Chairman: A Polish soldier stopped the attack of communism
President Andrzej Duda pointed out that Poland’s victory in the Battle of Warsaw meant defending Christianity from the “influx of communism” and “Soviet madness” that would spread further to the West. A Polish soldier put an end to that – with his heroism, but also with his sacrifice – he stressed.
It is extremely important that every year a Polish soldier comes here to see what it means to serve the Fatherland, to see what the price of this service can be and what the price of this service sometimes has to be when you have to fight – that is, in fact, what a soldier has to do
– said President Andrzej Duda during Wednesday’s ceremony at the Powązki military cemetery.
Referring to the Battle of Warsaw in 1920, Duda stressed that thanks to that victory, Christianity was defended against the “influx of communism” and “the Soviet madness, which would be carried through Poland to Berlin, like a great revolution, and even further, to the ocean.”
A Polish soldier stopped it, a Polish soldier – with his heroism, but also with his sacrifice
– the president noted.
Today we look at these graves with the realization that freedom and independence were not given to us once and for all, just as we see that they were not given once and for all to our neighbors from Ukraine, who are now dying on the fronts in the fight against a new Russian attack.
– Andrzej Duda emphasized.
In this context, the President also mentioned the death of 21-year-old Sergeant Mateusz Sitka, who died while defending the Polish border.
He gave his life, but – by going there (to the army – PAP) – he has already sacrificed it in a sense, just as every soldier in a sense sacrifices his life while performing military service
– he said.
Andrzej Duda in Ossów: Here young people and chaplains achieved the first victory before the Battle of Warsaw
Even before the great Victoria of Warsaw, here in Ossów, young people and chaplains achieved the first victory before the Battle of Warsaw, they did not let the Bolsheviks pass by – said President Andrzej Duda in Ossów (Mazovia Voivodeship).
On Wednesday, President Andrzej Duda took part in the call for commemoration in front of the Monument – Cross commemorating the place of death of Father Ignacy Skorupka in Ossów.
It is safe to say that we are on a pilgrimage. We are representatives of the state authorities, who are also responsible for the Polish army. The Minister of Defense and the President – Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, we are making a pilgrimage from the graves of the soldiers of 1920 here, to this place where we pay tribute to volunteers, youth, but also, and perhaps especially, the chaplains of the Polish army. This place is an important symbol of this
– Andrzej Duda emphasized.
As he said: “Almost from the very beginning there was a cross on the spot where the body of the fallen priest Ignacy Skorupka was found.”
Placed by the hands of those who witnessed that battle in defense of Warsaw, in defense of Ossów, in defense of Wołomin, a battle which, most importantly, was victorious.
– the president noted.
Even before the great Victoria of Warsaw the grave was opened here. They defended and achieved the first victory before the Battle of Warsaw. They did not let the Bolsheviks through
– Duda emphasized.
No generation has enjoyed free Poland for as long as we have, President Andrzej Duda said on Wednesday in Ossów (Mazovia Voivodeship). He noted that this freedom is not permanent. There will be no Poland if there are no sons and daughters who are dedicated to it, if there are no people who are ready to give their lives for it – he stressed.
During the memorial service in front of the Monument – Cross commemorating the place of death of Fr. Ignacy Skorupka, the President, stressed that none of the previous generations could enjoy a free, independent Poland for as long as we did. However, he noted that neither freedom nor independence are permanent.
It must always be defended with determination. You must have courage and bravery. Mazovia has an extremely moving tradition in this respect
– Duda stressed, referring to the Battle of Ossów.
As he noted, the defense of Ossów was the defense of Christianity, and the weapons of priest Ignacy Skorupka, whose death became a symbol of the Battle of Warsaw, were the rosary, the Bible and the breviary.
This cross (commemorating the place of his death – PAP) was subsequently restored here by you as soon as such an opportunity arose – and it remains standing and fixed, like this great sign where the Christian land lies.
– the president asked the residents.
Andrzej Duda expressed the hope that next year a Museum of the Battle of Warsaw will be established in Ossów, which will be at the same time a “museum of heroes” and a “museum of courage”.
Because there will be no Poland if there are no sons and daughters devoted to it, because there will be no Poland if there are no people who are ready to give their lives for it, who are ready to serve it
– he emphasized.
tkwl/PAP/X
Source: wPolityce
Emma Matthew is a political analyst for “Social Bites”. With a keen understanding of the inner workings of government and a passion for politics, she provides insightful and informative coverage of the latest political developments.