Bialystok, Poland – August 15 is a day of deep pride in Poland as the country celebrates Polish Armed Forces Day. The annual holiday, dedicated to the bravery and sacrifice of Polish soldiers, holds deep meaning for citizens across Poland, especially in cities like Bialystok, where history and patriotism are an integral part of daily life.

The Day of the Polish Armed Forces dates back to a crucial event in the country’s history: the Battle of Warsaw, often referred to as the “Miracle on the Vistula”. In August 1920, during the Polish-Soviet War, the Polish armed forces won a decisive victory over the Soviet Red Army, securing their independence and preventing the spread of communism.

Bialystok, the largest city in north-eastern Poland and the capital of the Podlaskie Voivodeship, has a rich military history. Involved in numerous conflicts, from medieval battles for control of the region to the devastation and destruction of World War II, the city has seen much turmoil and resilience. Today, Bialystok’s role on Polish Armed Forces Day is a tribute to the past and a celebration of the present.

“There has always been a fighting spirit in Poland,” explained Konrad Kiluk, a private in the Polish army who attended the ceremony. “Because even under the occupation of the Austrians, Russians and Germans, there were regular uprisings in which the Polish people fought against the occupying forces.”

“This spirit of independence and the Polish nation remained even under the occupation,” Kiluk continued. “The Polish people should be independent of outside interference.”

The city’s annual festivities include parades, reenactments and ceremonies that attract veterans, active soldiers and civilians alike. One of the highlights is the display of military equipment and demonstrations by the Polish Army and NATO ally, the U.S. Army. Both nations jointly set up an area where anyone interested could get their hands on military weapons and try on equipment such as bulletproof vests and helmets.

“They were very friendly,” said Spc. Corey Pettway, a transportation specialist with Fox Fire Support Company, 3rd Battalion, 29th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, in support of the 1st Cavalry Division, as he spoke about his interactions with service members and citizens at the static display during the celebration.

“The Polish soldiers also helped me translate with some civilians,” Pettway explained as he reflected on speaking with Polish soldiers and citizens about the various weapons on display.

“The connection between the United States and Poland goes back to the War of Independence,” said August Wojtkiewicz, a private in the Polish Army and a U.S. and Polish citizen, pointing to Thaddeus Kosciuszko’s contribution to the construction of the fortifications at West Point.

Today, both states strive for interoperability with each other and with the rest of NATO in order to secure Europe’s eastern flank and deter any aggression against an allied state.