In Poland, 15 August is a national holiday – Polish Army Day – which commemorates the decisive victory of Polish forces over the Red Army during the Battle of Warsaw in 1920.
To mark the occasion, a number of events – including a military parade with the participation of over 1,000 soldiers, 120 vehicles and 50 aircraft – are taking place in the Polish capital.
Ahead of the military parade, at the Belvedere Palace Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski handed down promotions to 13 military officers, raising them to the ranks of general and admiral.
“The successes of the past 25 years [since the collapse of communism] are also thanks to the soldiers and officers of the Polish Armed Forces,” Komorowski said during the nominations.
Earlier on Friday, President Komorowski laid wreaths at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on Plac Pilsudskiego, as well as at the monument to Jozef Pilsudski, commonly known as Poland’s ‘father of independence’ who led the army against the Soviets in 1920.
Komorowski was joined by Defence Minister Tomasz Siemoniak, head of the National Security Bureau Stanislaw Koziej as well as Poland’s military top brass.
On Friday morning, Mass was also said at the garrison church on Plac Krasinskich, attended by ministers, MPs, members of the diplomatic corps, veterans, as well as scouts. (jb)
Polskie Radio dla Zagranicy
Zdjęcie: Bronisław Komorowski składa kwiaty na Grobie Nieznanego Żołnierza fot.Rafał Guz/EPA
Dariusz Cisowski
