Sunday, 20 September 2009, was the second day of 10th Anniversary celebrations of Multinational Corps Northeast (MNC NE). During that day main focus was placed on attractions offered to people.
In Baltic Barracks
In the first part of Sunday celebrations Headquarters personnel and their families gathered in Baltic Barracks. All soldiers and civilians lined up at the Pomeranian Square and were addressed by MNC NE Commander Lieutenant General Zdzisław Goral: "It is an honour to be Commander of this Corps", he started and talked about successes of this Headquarters achieved throughout past 10 years which were possible due to such competent and professional personnel. "Thank you for your contribution. You can be proud of your work and your nations can be proud of you", Commander said to his personnel.
Since only some personnel received their medals and certificates during the official part of celebrations the day before, after the Commander’s welcome the awarding ceremony took place. General Goral decorated soldiers and civilian personnel from HQ MNC NE, Headquarters Company and National Support Elements with medals "Star of Iraq", "Star of Afghanistan", "Polish Armed Forces Medals", medals of "Merits for Country Defence" and "The Armed Forces Serving for the Homeland". Several personnel were given occasional medals, MNC NE crests and letters of congratulation on the occasion of MNC NE Anniversary. Finally, all soldiers and civilians gathered at the Pomeranian Square received 10th Anniversary medals as a memento of the celebrations.
Afterwards, a barbeque took place, during which people could enjoy their time spent together. Lots of people moved to Wały Chrobrego though, where MNC NE festivities were continued.
At Wały Chrobrego
From the early morning, simultaneously to the ceremony taking place in Baltic Barracks, thousands of people visited Wały Chrobrego to take part in the MNC NE 10th Anniversary festivities.
Military heavy equipment as great attraction
Just like the day before, a display of heavy equipment was extremely popular. Among other things two Polish armoured vehicles – "Rosomak" and "Żbik", a command vehicle ZWD-3 type as well as transmission and management shelters were waiting for people to be discovered. The German side displayed e.g. a battle tank "Leopard II", an air defence tank "Gepard", a tank recovery vehicle "Büffel", an armoured fighting vehicle "Marder", an armoured howitzer "PanzerHaubitze 2000". A Danish heavy logistic truck "Man HX" and a military vehicle Mercedes GD 270 were also very popular. Everybody could not only see all the equipment from distance but also touch it. Children could even go inside tanks, try on a bulletproof vest and hold real weapons for a while or even fire water cannons. It has been a huge attraction for those who had seen such military equipment only in photo or on TV. There was no end to shouts of joy.
It should also be stressed that people could also feel like a naval officer visiting three warships moored at the quay – Danish patrol boat Hjortø (MHV903 type), Polish transport-mine layer "ORP Toruń" (767 type) and German first attack craft "Wiesel" (143A type). All crews were eager to show everybody around.
"Pilgrimages" to MNC NE Promotion Tent
Among other attractions there was also the MNC NE Promotion Tent, in which everybody could learn about Multinational Corps Northeast. People were very much interested in gadgets related to MNC NE, such as lanyards, calendars, pens, postcards, HQ MNC NE magazines and others. Balloons and flags with MNC NE crests were especially popular among children, who waved them with joy shown on their faces.
Almost everybody who entered the Tent took a photo in specially prepared stand with photographic background presenting Danish, German and Polish dessert battle dress uniforms. Adults and children simply put their heads into a whole and felt like a real soldier…
Several competitions organised in the Tent served as a good way of checking people’s knowledge on MNC NE. For those who wanted to learn more, there were leaflets, multimedia presentations and guides prepared as well as two exhibitions. One of them presented the Corps’ achievements in eight thematic areas, such as training & exercises, mission in Afghanistan, multinational character, integration and others. A chronological account of the Corps’ history was the keynote for the second exhibition. 10 years of MNC NE were divided into 5 periods – beginnings, reaching Interim Operational Capability, achieving Full Operational Capability, mission in Afghanistan and the state between the missions the Corps is currently in.
Something for the spirit and for the stomach…
Obviously, just like on Saturday, there was army-style pea soup with sausage and bread baked by soldiers prepared for hungry participants of the celebrations. The queue for such delicacy was reaching the horizon…
Those who had their stomachs filled could listen to a nice concert played by Szczecin Garrison Military Band. Others could visit the National Museum, where a special exhibition about MNC NE was prepared, including a selection of photographs, gadgets from 10 years of the Corps’ existence as well as uniforms from all 11 countries contributing to MNC NE.
As a matter of fact, it is impossible to list all the attractions waiting for people at Wały Chrobrego on 19 and 20 September. But for sure, everybody could find something interesting and enjoyable.
Thank you!
Two days of celebrations were filled with numerous events and attractions. These were the days that many of people will never forget. The whole community of Headquarters Multinational Corps Northeast would like to thank for the participation of thousands of Szczecin inhabitants, friends and Corps’ enthusiasts in the celebrations. These hours spent together at Wały Chrobrego are the essence of 10 years of support and friendliness. And if to treat excellent weather during the celebration as a token, there will definitely be sunny future for the presence of Multinational Corps Northeast in Szczecin.
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