The National Day of Remembrance for the Cursed Soldiers: A Reflection on Poland’s Fight for Freedom
On the National Day of Remembrance for the Cursed Soldiers, a Polish president spoke to residents of the Mława District, recognizing their steadfast memory of those who fought for Poland’s independence. The president expressed gratitude for the mirroring of courage, endurance, and sacrifice shown by the Cursed Soldiers, whose legacies shaped the nation’s path to sovereignty.
For decades, communist authorities attempted to erase these memories, burying the fallen in anonymous places and denying them proper graves. Yet their memory persisted in the hearts of loved ones and neighbors, and in the hopes they inspired for a free, sovereign, and independent Poland. This memory remains a beacon for those who believe in a future built on freedom. The president highlighted that the memory of these fighters continues to empower future generations and help restore Poland to its rightful state.
He noted that thanks to the courage and resilience of the Cursed Soldiers, “subsequent generations carried this testimony and this belief in the need to continue, and that Poland was regained.” The president warmly thanked those present for keeping this history alive in Mława and across the country.
He spoke about the nation’s special sanctification through the heroism and the families who have produced generations of patriots ready to defend the homeland. The president expressed gratitude to everyone who remembers and honors the heroes today.
On this date, March 1, the country marks the anniversary of the shooting of the leaders of the 4th Main Directorate of the Association “Freedom and Independence,” commemorating the National Day of Remembrance of the Cursed Soldiers.
Addressing the Call for Sovereignty
The president declared that there should be no room for foreign domination or peace imposed from outside. He asserted that Poland must stand firm in its culture and faith, and that security for the Republic of Poland requires clear boundaries against external aggression. He stressed the need to strengthen national defense while remembering that investments in education, culture, and science are essential to a thriving democracy.
Recent events in neighboring regions remind the nation that threats persist. The president spoke of aggression that echoes through the decades and urged vigilance against imperialist impulses that seek to subjugate others. He emphasized that Poland must stay united and resilient, drawing lessons from history to safeguard the country’s future.
Addressing residents, he acknowledged the sadness of refugees who arrive seeking safety and opportunity. He noted that many come from varied circumstances, with some possessing remarkable means and others leading modest lives, all of whom deserve dignity and a future built on hard work and hope.
The president underscored that Poland should strengthen its republic, its security, and its prosperity through prudent governance and fair representation. He recognized that some individuals who collaborated with occupying forces at difficult moments cannot be the face of Poland’s future, and he affirmed that those who served the homeland with honor should be honored, while those who betrayed it should accept accountability without claiming a voice in guiding the nation’s destiny.
He reiterated that families in the Mława region endured hardship when their farms were taken by the authorities for aiding the Cursed Soldiers, and he expressed gratitude to all who continue to remember and honor the anti-communist resistance fighters who defended freedom.
Earlier in the day, a wreath was laid at a local monument honoring those who fought in various anti-communist formations from the latter half of the 1940s, commemorating the National Day of Remembrance of the Cursed Soldiers.
In closing, the president called for a Poland that is fair, prosperous, and protected—where governance serves the people, and history informs a brighter future for all generations.