What once seemed impossible and almost unthinkable was achieved, a realization born from the courage of Polish soldiers, the wisdom of their commanders, and the unwavering resolve of every defender of the homeland. This sentiment, echoed by President Andrzej Duda, marked the memory of the Battle of Warsaw in 1920.
On a Wednesday, President Duda joined the commemorations surrounding Polish Army Day, which would be celebrated on the following day. In the evening, he laid a wreath at the Monument to the Soldiers of the Ukrainian People’s Republic at the Orthodox cemetery in Wola. He also attended the call to remembrance at the Monument to the Fallen of 1920 in the Powązki military cemetery, with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz present as well.
That August dawn in 1920 is recalled as the great Victoria, the Miracle on the Vistula, a battle that began on August 15 and culminated in an extraordinary victory. Its memory persists as a symbol of resilience and strategic prowess, a moment when defense and determination converged in a way that reshaped history, according to the president’s remarks.
He emphasized that this military act proved effective and transformative. “Something that seemed improbable became a reality thanks to the bravery of Polish soldiers and the leadership of those who guided them”, he stated, underscoring the sacrifices made by those who defended the homeland.
The toll of the conflict was heavy: 4.5 thousand soldiers killed, about 10 thousand missing, and almost 22 thousand wounded in the Battle of Warsaw alone. The president acknowledged the human cost and the enduring memory carried in cemeteries across Warsaw and beyond, noting that the sacrifice remains visible today in memorials and grave markers across the country.
As he spoke, the president reflected on the price paid for freedom and independence, and how those values must be safeguarded not just for a moment but as an ongoing commitment. He expressed that the fight for liberty is a continuous responsibility, echoed in the respect shown for those who served and continue to serve.
The Chairman: A Polish soldier stopped the attack of communism
In his remarks, President Duda pointed to Poland’s victory as a shield against the spread of communism and Soviet influence toward Western Europe. He credited the heroism and sacrifice of Polish soldiers with halting that advance and preserving Christian civilization from a broader upheaval, a view he stressed during the ceremony at Powązki.
The president underscored the importance of annual acts of remembrance. He noted that each year a Polish soldier’s visit to these sites serves as a reminder of what it means to serve the Fatherland, and of the costs sometimes borne in the defense of the nation.
Discussing the Battle of Warsaw, he recalled that its outcome helped defend Christianity against a perceived influx of revolutionary forces. He described the danger as a “Soviet madness” that could have extended into Poland and toward Berlin, and possibly beyond to the sea, were it not checked by Polish courage and sacrifice.
A Polish soldier’s heroism and selflessness were highlighted as the central factors in stopping the threat, the president observed.
Today, the graves at Ossów stand as a reminder that freedom and independence have never been granted once and for all. The president framed the struggle as a living obligation, noting that it must be defended by every generation and that the courage of today’s volunteers, youth, and chaplains remains essential to the memory of those who fought in earlier days.
In Ossów, he pointed to the continuous thread linking past and present—the sacrifice of soldiers and the spiritual guidance offered by chaplains, whose presence at that place became a lasting symbol of resilience. The cross commemorating Father Ignacy Skorupka’s death, placed by witnesses of the battle, remains a powerful testament to faith and perseverance in the defense of Warsaw and Ossów.
The president called for the establishment of a Museum of the Battle of Warsaw in Ossów next year. He framed it as a broader museum of heroes and courage, envisioned as a place where the stories of the defenders can educate future generations about the meaning of service and sacrifice for the country.
He concluded with a reminder that Poland’s freedom relies on the commitment of its people. The message resonated: there can be no lasting national liberty without the willingness of sons and daughters to stand up for it, to risk their lives in its defense.
As the remembrance service continued at the Cross in Ossów, the need to guard that heritage was reaffirmed. The president urged residents to recognize the responsibility that comes with liberty, acknowledging the long-standing Mazovian tradition of steadfast resolve in defending the land and its Christian roots.
Within the gathering, it was recalled that Father Ignacy Skorupka’s death became a symbol of the Battle of Warsaw. The rosary, the Bible, and the breviary were cited as the weapons of that priest, whose sacrifice helped define the spiritual dimension of the struggle. The cross, restored by the community when opportunity arose, stands as a durable sign of the Christian land.
Looking ahead, the president expressed hope that Ossów would someday host a dedicated Museum of the Battle of Warsaw, a place that would honor both the struggles and the courage of those who stood up at Ossów, to secure a free Poland for future generations. The message remained clear: the nation endures only when its citizens remain ready to give themselves in service to it.
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Source: wPolityce