Multinational Corps Northeast

On November 6th, 2008 the Polish community of the Baltic Barracks as well as representatives of other Corps’ nations gathered at the Allied Officers’ Club to celebrate the 90th Anniversary of the restoration of Poland’s Independence, which falls on November 11th. 

Each country has at least one day marked in the calendar, which indicates the most important and solemn moment in its history. For Poland, it is November 11th, which is celebrated as the Day of Independence. On November 11th, 1918 Poland regained its independence after 123 years of the foreign rule. To commemorate that special moment, the Polish community organised a reception for all HQ MNC NE members. Lieutenant General Zdzisław Goral, Commander of the Multinational Corps Northeast, welcomed all the guests and delivered an inaugural speech. Then, Colonel Jerzy Fela, Polish Senior National Officer, presented some historical background of the events that took place at the close of 1918. Afterwards, the reception started, during which everybody could taste for example a typically Polish soup called “żurek”.

The year of 1918 meant a lot for the history of the world, and Europe in particular. Not only did the devastating 1st World War come to an end, but also new states were raised, among which there was Poland. The Polish State disappeared from Europe's map after the third partition in 1795. The partitions of Poland in 1772, 1793, and 1795 divided the Polish Kingdom among its three powerful neighbours – Austro-Hungary, Prussia and Russia. In 1918, after years of Poland living only in the hearts of the Poles, the country was restored.
 
Historical details presented by Colonel Fela during his speech were complemented by a static display belonging to the Garrison Club. It contained the descriptions of the events of 1918 as well as photographs, posters and books. Many of them were dedicated to Józef Piłsudski, who was the first Poland’s Head of State after the restoration of independence.

November 11th was established the Polish National Holiday and celebrated during the inter-war time. Then, after the Second World War it was not commemorated. The tradition did not die, though. The Polish Independence Day was restored in 1989 again and it has been celebrated until today. It reminds of the effort the Polish society had to take to rebuild the country again. Now, Poland is a sovereign country, which contributes to the security in the world and is an active member of NATO. One of the signs of it is Polish participation in the Multinational Corps Northeast as the framework nation, where soldiers from 10 nations already join their military effort and face challenges together.