The Deputy Commander of the Multinational Corps Northeast (MNC NE) Major General Ryszard Sorokosz was the host of this year’s Polish Armed Forces’ Day, celebrated at Baltic Barracks on 12 August 2010.
Although the Polish Armed Forces’ Day traditionally falls on 15 August, the multinational community of the Headquarters Multinational Corps Northeast met on 12 August to spend together this special day for each and every soldier of the Polish Armed Forces.
Already in the morning the servicemen of the Multinational Corps Northeast attended the Holy Mass at the Szczecin Garrison Church. The celebration in Baltic Barracks started with the Polish Senior National Officer Colonel Jerzy Fela reporting to the MNC NE Deputy Commander Major General Ryszard Sorokosz. Afterwards, General Sorokosz took the floor. In his welcome speech he addressed the honourable guests representing the municipal and regional authorities as well as the uniformed services in Szczecin and the vicinity. General Sorokosz also cordially welcomed all Polish servicemen and Headquarters’ members from other armed forces and their families.
Since the Polish Armed Forces’ Day is the most important holiday for all Polish soldiers, it is the also an excellent occasion to honour their exceptional service. This time fourteen personnel of the Multinational Corps Northeast were awarded with Gold and Bronze Medals of Merits for Country Defence and Medals of Armed Forces Serving for the Homeland. Five other staff members received congratulatory letters awarded by the MNC NE Deputy Commander.
After the awarding ceremony, General Sorokosz introduced the historical background of the Polish Armed Forces’ Day commemorating events of 1920, when the Warsaw Battle was fought. The battle has become known as the Miracle at the Vistula River, a battle, which sealed Poland’s independence. “We, Poles, are happy to be free and to see Poland as a NATO member state,” said General Sorokosz. “Today’s Europe is free from wars thanks to cooperation of countries within the European Union, NATO and other organisations. The Multinational Corps Northeast reflects the collaboration of the countries under the umbrella of NATO. This is where the multinational forces act cooperatively to respond together to challenges, sometimes very difficult challenges, such as the mission in Afghanistan,” General Sorokosz added.
At the end of his speech, General Sorokosz congratulated all servicemen on the occasion of the Polish Armed Forces’ Day and wished everybody an enjoyable afternoon. As a matter of fact, for many officers and non-commissioned officers and their families it was the first opportunity to meet after the redeployment and spend a nice time together chatting, delighting in the taste of excellent food and listening to music played by the Szczecin Garrison Orchestra.
