Mr.

         Jan Józef Kasprzyk

         The Head of the Office for Veterans Affairs

         The President of the Council of the European Union and the Committee of Repressed Persons

 

        Honourable Minister, Honourable Members,

 

On the map of Poland there are many places - symbols of martyrdom of the Poles who fought for the freedom and independence of our homeland. They evoke historical reverie and often bring back painful memories. One of them is Villa Jasny Dom in Warsaw. This inconspicuous tenement house hides a painful and still not fully discovered history. A history marked by torture, immense suffering, hunger and contempt. It is a silent witness of bestiality, which only after years revealed the most horrifying truth about the prisoners - soldiers of the independence underground.

They had to pay a huge price for their love for Poland, commitment to the independence tradition and loyalty to the highest ideals. They had the courage to oppose the imposed communist authorities, to face the great machine of Soviet terror. They fought until their last breath, with no chance of victory, accompanied only by a glimmer of hope that the course of history could be reversed. For decades, the tragic fate of the Wyklêdki Soldiers and their families was passed over in silence, but history has claimed its heroes.

I would like to address words of thanks to all those who make efforts to restore the memory and good name of the fighters for freedom and independence of the Homeland. I would also like to express my appreciation to the "Willa Jasny Dom" Foundation for nurturing the memory of the Incombatants, for historical sensitivity and care for material heritage.

Bowing my head, I salute the Unbroken Soldiers.

 

Marek Kuchciński

 

The letter from the Speaker of the Sejm was read by Christian Młynarek, advisor to Marek Kuchciński