“I apologize to you for all the unpleasantness you have experienced at the hands of some of our fellow citizens. Every honest Pole has always stood firmly behind the Polish uniform,” said President Andrzej Duda, addressing the soldiers of the Polish Armed Forces and officers of the Border Guard.
During his meeting with the officers in Jaryłówka, Podlaskie region, President Duda emphasized that by protecting the eastern border — which, as he noted, is also the border of the European Union and the Schengen Area — Poles have shown that they take their responsibilities within the European community seriously.
“I thank all Border Guard officers, I thank the soldiers, and I thank the police officers for their support and for their truly heroic defense,” the President said.
Duda reminded those present that, sadly, the service of the officers has not been without sacrifice. “I am speaking above all of Sergeant Mateusz Sitek, who lost his life while carrying out his duties as a soldier defending the Republic’s border — the first soldier to fall in defense of Poland’s border since the Second World War,” he emphasized.
During the meeting with soldiers and Border Guard officers, he offered an apology for “all the unpleasantness they have suffered from some of our fellow citizens.” He described some of those people as “irresponsible, and at times simply rude and insolent.”
The President stressed that he was apologizing on behalf of Poles who had disrespected the Polish uniform and the honor of the soldiers. “I want to assure you that no one can tarnish the true honor of a soldier or an officer of the Republic of Poland — as long as they are fulfilling their duties to Poland, duties they swore to uphold, whether in military or public service,” he said.
He also assured the servicemen that every honest citizen in Poland has always stood firmly behind them. “Once again, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything you have done for the Republic of Poland, and I ask you to continue your heroic and responsible service for our country,” he concluded.