| BALTIMORE, Md. – Poland’s Minister of National Defense Mariusz Blaszczak arrived here on September 15, 2018 to officially visit The National Katyn Memorial. Included in the Minister’s entourage was his aide-de-camp Colonel Bogdan Pidanty, and Major General Cezary Wisniewski - the Embassy of the Republic of Poland’s commanding military attaché. They were well met and fraternally greeted by Richard Poremski, Chairman of the National Katyn Memorial Foundation (NKMF), and several other foundation members - who dually serve in the leadership of the Polish National Alliance, Polish Legion of American Veterans, Ojczyzna Polish Dancers, and the Krakowiaki Dance Group.
After Minister Blaszczak presented his elegant floral wreath, he was given a guided tour of the Memorial and its pertinent interpretative informational signage by Chairman Poremski. Blaszczak expressed his utmost satisfaction and full approval of the Memorial and its attending accouterments. To the defense minister’s utter delight, Chairman Poremski bestowed upon him a framed certificate of NKMF Honorary Membership, along with its obligatory embroidered Katyn armband. Seceretary Thomas Rybczynski followed by presenting Blaszczak with a historic U.S. flag that was flown over the U.S. Capitol in Washington on November 19, 2000 in commemoration of the National Katyn Memorial being dedicated on that very day in Baltimore.
Before departing northward on additional diplomatic business in Philadelphia, New Jersey and New York, Minister Blaszczak showed his appreciation by dispensing handsome personalized bronze bas-relief medallions of his office to the event’s main organizers . To the NKMF he presented a unique red and white metal applique-on-walnut plaque featuring the geographic outlines of Poland in exultation of the 100th Anniversary of the Republic of Poland this year on November 11th, 2018
Although the day was overcast and grey, there was a warm glow about as a result of the prestigious Polish delegation’s visit and solemn remembrance of the Katyn Forest victims.
Honor and remembrance indeed.
Richard P. Poremski
Polish American Journal
Buffalo, NY – USA
www.polamjournal.com
Bestowing Honor and Remembrance. Colonel Bogdan Pidanty, Major General Cezary Wisniewski, Minister of National Defense Mariusz Blaszczak and National Katyn Memorial Chairman Richard Poremski are depicted in silent contemplation at the base of the National Katyn Memorial as a floral wreath from Minister Blaszczak is presented in memory of the Polish Martyrs of the Katyn Forest Massacre |
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