Minister of National Defence Mariusz Blaszczak took part in the ceremony of the Day of Remembrance of the Fallen and the Dead in Missions and Military Operations beyond the State Borders. During the ceremony at the Warsaw Veteran’s Centre, the head of the defence ministry stressed that Poland cares about preserving the memory of soldiers killed in defence of the Fatherland.

“We remember all soldiers who perform their service, we especially remember those who lost their lives serving in missions outside our country”, said the head of the Ministry of Defence.

Remembrance Day for the Fallen and the Dead has been celebrated since 2015. The holiday was established on the anniversary of 21 December 2011; on that day, five Polish soldiers from the 20th Bartoszyce Mechanised Brigade fell during a mission in Afghanistan. An improvised explosive device exploded under their car.

“Over 100,000 soldiers, officers and civilian employees of the army have served outside our country over the years. This was Poland’s tangible contribution to strengthening the security of our Fatherland by showing solidarity, by serving shoulder-to-shoulder with our allies in defence of the freedom of countries affected by the crisis”, said the head of the Ministry of Defence.

Mariusz Blaszczak stated that a war is currently being unleashed on the borders of the Republic of Poland, with Ukrainians bravely standing up to Russia, seeking to rebuild its empire that threatens freedom in Europe. Today, soldiers from allied countries, mainly the United States, are also stationed in Poland.

The Minister stressed that it is the duty of the State to take care not only of the memory of those who gave their lives in the line of duty, but also of their families.

“Hence the Veteran’s Centre, hence the law on veterans, hence all that proves that the measure of our remembrance and the Polish state’s commitment to our security is also the support of veterans and the support of the families of soldiers killed in service outside our country”, said the head of the Ministry of Defence.

Arkadiusz Słomczyński