Polish Army Day: Military parades and picnics, words about unity and strengthening the army

Military parades on land, in the air, and for the first time at sea, as well as military picnics, marked this year's Polish Armed Forces Day celebrations. Speeches by key politicians were dominated by the need for national unity and the necessity of investing in security and the military.

The main commemorations began with a mass at the Field Cathedral of the Polish Army, followed by a ceremonial changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Warsaw's Józef Piłsudski Square. The highlight was a military parade on Warsaw's Wisłostrada expressway, attended by approximately 4,000 soldiers and 300 pieces of equipment. Leopard, K2, and Abrams tanks, combat vehicles, and F-16 fighter jets were on display.

For the first time, the parade on land and in the air was accompanied by a naval parade – approximately 20 Polish Navy ships took part in it on the Baltic Sea near Hel. Both parades – in Warsaw and in Hel – attracted large crowds.

Picnics featuring the military, artistic performances, and equipment displays were organized in many places across the country. One of these took place at the Warsaw Citadel, which recently became the home of the Polish Army Museum.

Prime Minister Donald Tusk visited the headquarters of the elite GROM unit this morning. He emphasized that in today's world, strong countries are respected, and Poland is among the strong nations thanks to its soldiers. "The 'Miracle on the Vistula' was a miracle of heroism, courage, and self-confidence, as well as the unification of the Polish nation," the Prime Minister noted.

Unlike last year's commemorations, the Prime Minister did not speak during the ceremony on Warsaw's Wisłostrada motorway before the start of the military parade. However, he was present, along with President Karol Nawrocki, Speaker of the Sejm Szymon Hołownia, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, and key military commanders.

Speaking before the parade, the President announced that he would demand a decision to allocate 5 percent of GDP to defense. He also stated that the Polish Army should soon become not the third, but the first, strongest army in the North Atlantic Alliance in Europe. He declared that he would strive to achieve this goal in the coming years.

Karol Nawrocki stated that he would also strive to sign a supra-political commitment by the president and prime minister – the "Security Constitution of the Republic of Poland." He clarified that this was a commitment by each subsequent president and prime minister "for years, and perhaps decades."

He pointed out that the victorious Battle of Warsaw 105 years ago proves that Poland won thanks to unity and community. He added that security cannot be the subject of political disputes, something he assured everyone he would never allow as president.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz also spoke about the need for unity during the commemorations on Wisłostrada Street. "Only united will we win, only united will we triumph in our history; back then, 105 years ago, the entire nation was united," he said. He emphasized that within the next five years, Poland must stand at the top of the NATO podium in terms of operational capabilities.

Politicians thanked soldiers and paid tribute to those who died defending their homeland, including on social media. "On August 15, on Polish Armed Forces Day and the 105th anniversary of the Battle of Warsaw, we respectfully pay tribute to the Heroes and thank all those who, in the past and today, stand guard over our sovereignty," wrote Senate Marshal Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska.

PiS leader Jarosław Kaczyński called on Poles to be even more proud of Polish soldiers on Polish Armed Forces Day than they are on a daily basis. "Let's remember that security is paramount, and we need to continually invest in the Polish Armed Forces – there's no room for savings," he emphasized.

August 15th marks the anniversary – this year the 105th – of Poland's victorious Battle of Warsaw in 1920. The Polish military's victory was decisive in preserving the country's independence and halting the advance of the Bolshevik Revolution into Western Europe. It was also one of the most important elements of the historical memory of the Second Polish Republic.

In 1923, August 15 was declared Polish Army Day. It remained so until 1947. Since 1992, Polish Army Day has once again been celebrated in mid-August. (PAP)

kmz/ lm/

Military parades on land, in the air, and for the first time at sea, as well as military picnics, marked this year's Polish Armed Forces Day celebrations. Speeches by key politicians were dominated by the need for national unity and the necessity of investing in security and the military.

The main commemorations began with a mass at the Field Cathedral of the Polish Army, followed by a ceremonial changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Warsaw's Józef Piłsudski Square. The highlight was a military parade on Warsaw's Wisłostrada expressway, attended by approximately 4,000 soldiers and 300 pieces of equipment. Leopard, K2, and Abrams tanks, combat vehicles, and F-16 fighter jets were on display.

For the first time, the parade on land and in the air was accompanied by a naval parade – approximately 20 Polish Navy ships took part in it on the Baltic Sea near Hel. Both parades – in Warsaw and in Hel – attracted large crowds.

Picnics featuring the military, artistic performances, and equipment displays were organized in many places across the country. One of these took place at the Warsaw Citadel, which recently became the home of the Polish Army Museum.

Prime Minister Donald Tusk visited the headquarters of the elite GROM unit this morning. He emphasized that in today's world, strong countries are respected, and Poland is among the strong nations thanks to its soldiers. "The 'Miracle on the Vistula' was a miracle of heroism, courage, and self-confidence, as well as the unification of the Polish nation," the Prime Minister noted.

Unlike last year's commemorations, the Prime Minister did not speak during the ceremony on Warsaw's Wisłostrada motorway before the start of the military parade. However, he was present, along with President Karol Nawrocki, Speaker of the Sejm Szymon Hołownia, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, and key military commanders.

Speaking before the parade, the President announced that he would demand a decision to allocate 5 percent of GDP to defense. He also stated that the Polish Army should soon become not the third, but the first, strongest army in the North Atlantic Alliance in Europe. He declared that he would strive to achieve this goal in the coming years.

Karol Nawrocki stated that he would also strive to sign a supra-political commitment by the president and prime minister – the "Security Constitution of the Republic of Poland." He clarified that this was a commitment by each subsequent president and prime minister "for years, and perhaps decades."

He pointed out that the victorious Battle of Warsaw 105 years ago proves that Poland won thanks to unity and community. He added that security cannot be the subject of political disputes, something he assured everyone he would never allow as president.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz also spoke about the need for unity during the commemorations on Wisłostrada Street. "Only united will we win, only united will we triumph in our history; back then, 105 years ago, the entire nation was united," he said. He emphasized that within the next five years, Poland must stand at the top of the NATO podium in terms of operational capabilities.

Politicians thanked soldiers and paid tribute to those who died defending their homeland, including on social media. "On August 15, on Polish Armed Forces Day and the 105th anniversary of the Battle of Warsaw, we respectfully pay tribute to the Heroes and thank all those who, in the past and today, stand guard over our sovereignty," wrote Senate Marshal Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska.

PiS leader Jarosław Kaczyński called on Poles to be even more proud of Polish soldiers on Polish Armed Forces Day than they are on a daily basis. "Let's remember that security is paramount, and we need to continually invest in the Polish Armed Forces – there's no room for savings," he emphasized.

August 15th marks the anniversary – this year the 105th – of Poland's victorious Battle of Warsaw in 1920. The Polish military's victory was decisive in preserving the country's independence and halting the advance of the Bolshevik Revolution into Western Europe. It was also one of the most important elements of the historical memory of the Second Polish Republic.

In 1923, August 15 was declared Polish Army Day. It remained so until 1947. Since 1992, Polish Army Day has once again been celebrated in mid-August. (PAP)

kmz/ lm/

Military parades on land, in the air, and for the first time at sea, as well as military picnics, marked this year's Polish Armed Forces Day celebrations. Speeches by key politicians were dominated by the need for national unity and the necessity of investing in security and the military.

The main commemorations began with a mass at the Field Cathedral of the Polish Army, followed by a ceremonial changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Warsaw's Józef Piłsudski Square. The highlight was a military parade on Warsaw's Wisłostrada expressway, attended by approximately 4,000 soldiers and 300 pieces of equipment. Leopard, K2, and Abrams tanks, combat vehicles, and F-16 fighter jets were on display.

For the first time, the parade on land and in the air was accompanied by a naval parade – approximately 20 Polish Navy ships took part in it on the Baltic Sea near Hel. Both parades – in Warsaw and in Hel – attracted large crowds.

Picnics featuring the military, artistic performances, and equipment displays were organized in many places across the country. One of these took place at the Warsaw Citadel, which recently became the home of the Polish Army Museum.

Prime Minister Donald Tusk visited the headquarters of the elite GROM unit this morning. He emphasized that in today's world, strong countries are respected, and Poland is among the strong nations thanks to its soldiers. "The 'Miracle on the Vistula' was a miracle of heroism, courage, and self-confidence, as well as the unification of the Polish nation," the Prime Minister noted.

Unlike last year's commemorations, the Prime Minister did not speak during the ceremony on Warsaw's Wisłostrada motorway before the start of the military parade. However, he was present, along with President Karol Nawrocki, Speaker of the Sejm Szymon Hołownia, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, and key military commanders.

Speaking before the parade, the President announced that he would demand a decision to allocate 5 percent of GDP to defense. He also stated that the Polish Army should soon become not the third, but the first, strongest army in the North Atlantic Alliance in Europe. He declared that he would strive to achieve this goal in the coming years.

Karol Nawrocki stated that he would also strive to sign a supra-political commitment by the president and prime minister – the "Security Constitution of the Republic of Poland." He clarified that this was a commitment by each subsequent president and prime minister "for years, and perhaps decades."

He pointed out that the victorious Battle of Warsaw 105 years ago proves that Poland won thanks to unity and community. He added that security cannot be the subject of political disputes, something he assured everyone he would never allow as president.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz also spoke about the need for unity during the commemorations on Wisłostrada Street. "Only united will we win, only united will we triumph in our history; back then, 105 years ago, the entire nation was united," he said. He emphasized that within the next five years, Poland must stand at the top of the NATO podium in terms of operational capabilities.

Politicians thanked soldiers and paid tribute to those who died defending their homeland, including on social media. "On August 15, on Polish Armed Forces Day and the 105th anniversary of the Battle of Warsaw, we respectfully pay tribute to the Heroes and thank all those who, in the past and today, stand guard over our sovereignty," wrote Senate Marshal Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska.

PiS leader Jarosław Kaczyński called on Poles to be even more proud of Polish soldiers on Polish Armed Forces Day than they are on a daily basis. "Let's remember that security is paramount, and we need to continually invest in the Polish Armed Forces – there's no room for savings," he emphasized.

August 15th marks the anniversary – this year the 105th – of Poland's victorious Battle of Warsaw in 1920. The Polish military's victory was decisive in preserving the country's independence and halting the advance of the Bolshevik Revolution into Western Europe. It was also one of the most important elements of the historical memory of the Second Polish Republic.

In 1923, August 15 was declared Polish Army Day. It remained so until 1947. Since 1992, Polish Army Day has once again been celebrated in mid-August. (PAP)

kmz/ lm/