Poland’s Territorial Defence Forces (WOT) marked the occasion with a ceremony at the Museum of the Battle of Warsaw in Ossów on Friday, ahead of their official annual holiday on 27 September.
Representatives of the Ministry of National Defence and the National Security Bureau attended the event and read messages from the President and the Deputy Prime Minister.
Soldiers and outstanding military units also received state honours and awards.
The ceremony began with the raising of the national flag and the singing of the national anthem, in accordance with military protocol.
Major General Krzysztof Stańczyk, commander of the Territorial Defence Forces, addressed the soldiers.
"I am convinced that a time of real challenges, with no clear end in sight, has begun for us. As soldiers, we must be ready for a changing situation. We must be proactive and stay ahead of potential adversaries by introducing innovative changes that strengthen our capabilities."
"Only in this way can we give ourselves the best chance of fulfilling our mission successfully. Freedom is born from strength," he said.
Twelve soldiers received state honours from the head of the National Security Bureau and the WOT commander for exemplary performance and long-standing service in the Polish Armed Forces.
Four other soldiers from two WOT brigades received awards for acts of bravery.
They came from the 18th Capital Territorial Defence Brigade and the 8th Pomeranian Territorial Defence Brigade.
According to officials, their actions reflected the Territorial Defence Forces’ motto: "Always Ready, Always Close."
The soldiers saved the lives of people injured in road accidents, providing first aid, securing damaged vehicles and equipment and remaining with the victims until emergency services arrived.
General Stańczyk also awarded the honorary title of “Outstanding Subunit” to two light infantry battalions and a sapper company.
The units were the 31st Light Infantry Battalion of the 3rd Subcarpathian Territorial Defence Brigade, and the 114th Limanowa Light Infantry Battalion of the 11th Lesser Poland Territorial Defence Brigade.
The third was the Sapper Company of the 4th Warmian-Masurian Territorial Defence Brigade.
The two infantry battalions are named after Polish resistance fighters Jan Kotowicz, known as "Twardy", and Lt Col Adam Stabrawa, known as "Borowy".
The Territorial Defence Forces were established in 2017 as a separate branch of the Polish Armed Forces.
They are made up mainly of volunteer soldiers and are intended to support the country’s regular army, including in local defence and crisis situations.
Their activities have been governed by the Act on the Defence of the Homeland since April 2022.
(pg/ał)
Source: PAP