Dr. Jarosław Szarek

President Institute of National Remembrance

Commission for the Prosecution of Crimes against the Polish Nation

Dear Mr. President,

Along with the words of thanks for the invitation to the ceremony of unveiling a commemorative plaque dedicated to the anti-communist youth organizations, I would like to express my gratitude to the organizers for cultivating patriotic tradition and passing it on to younger generations.

Last year's celebrations of the centennial of independence emphasized historical continuity in a special way and showed that we owe the sovereign and democratic Poland not to one generation but to the efforts of many. The anti-communist youth organizations had a big part in the march to freedom. Unfortunately, this is still a little known aspect of the second conspiracy. Young people brought up in the spirit of independence and Christian values did not submit to indoctrination and did not agree to live under the regime. They paid a high price for this rebellion. The end of the 1940s and the beginning of the 1950s were the times of bloody terror against the young anti-communists.

The ceremonies in Mielec are a tribute to those who remained faithful to their ideals, while theThe memorial plaque is a visible testimony to the restoration and dissemination of their memory.

Once again, many thanks for your educational outreach.

                                                                                     Best regards            

                                                                                        Marek Kuchciński