On 3 May 2011, the delegation of the Multinational Corps Northeast (MNC NE) headed by the Corps’ Commander Lieutenant General Rainer Korff participated in the municipal celebrations of 220th anniversary of establishing Polish Constitution of 3 May.
The ceremony at the Monument of Poles’ Deed in Szczecin started at noon with the Polish anthem. Then, the Vice Mayor of Szczecin Mr Mariusz Kądziołka welcomed everyone who cherishes the Polish history. “It was a huge achievement of the legislative and political thought,” Mr Kądziołka said also referring to the Constitution as “the priceless contribution to the development of European constitutional traditions.” Senior Bishop Jan Gałecki said the prayer for the Homeland and that particular celebration. Then, young members of the “Strzelec” Shooting Association – Social and Educational Institution, a non-governmental organisation preparing teenagers for service in uniformed services in Poland, swore an official oath.
This year’s celebration of 3 May also included an artistic part prepared by students and teachers of Szczecin’s Secondary School No 6. A group of about 40 teenagers presented events of 1791 related to the establishment of the Constitution.
Afterwards, a wreath laying ceremony took place. Multinational Corps Northeast was represented by the Corps’ Commander Lieutenant General Rainer Korff and Senior National Representatives of the three Framework Nations: Danish Colonel Niels H. Andersen, German Lieutenant Colonel Volker Quante and Polish Lieutenant Colonel Bogdan Gęsior. A wreath with a blue ribbon laid by the MNC NE delegation found its place at the Monument of Poles’ Deed next to wreaths placed by representatives of regional and municipal authorities, uniformed services, veterans’ associations, schools and others who found the celebrations of 3 May important.
