The ceremony was opened by Chief of Staff General Brigadier Henryk Skarzynski, who reminded the audience the history of the battle of Warsaw, which took place on August 15th , 1920.
Polish Armed Forces’ Day commemorates the history of that battle, later called "The Miracle On the Vistula River". When in 1920 units of the Red Army were approaching east of Warsaw, while defeated units of the Polish Army were withdrawing from Kiev, it seemed that only a miracle could have saved Poland from Russian aggression. The Commander of the Polish Army, Marshal Józef Piłsudski conducted an extremely dangerous maneuver with unprotected flank near Warsaw and unexpectedly defeated Russian forces. Several months later, Poland won a battle on the Niemen River that ended up the war. Poland was saved from Russian aggression, but more importantly the Gate to Europe was closed. Moreover on August 15th, 1920 after 123 years of geopolitical non-existence, Poland obtained independence.
Celebrating Polish Armed Forces’ Day is always a very special event for Polish officers serving in MNC NE as they receive medals and promotions. Then, the event always ends with a barbecue attended by the families of all Headquarters’ servicemen For that reason the Polish Armed Forces’ Day is a wonderful occasion for all guests to be involved in the multinational environment, in that sense the HQ becomes not only the work place but also the ground where the true values such as tolerance, respect and cultural understanding between nations can be shared.
