The Presidential Couple and members of the Gazeta Polska Clubs took part today in a joint trekking event under the slogan “Trail of Memory.” Official commemorations of the victorious Polish assault under the command of General Władysław Anders are taking place today at Monte Cassino. We encourage readers to view the extensive photo coverage.
The Presidential Couple personally attended the ceremonies at Monte Cassino on the 82nd anniversary of the victorious battle. The official program of the visit included a number of events:
• Visit by the President of the Republic of Poland and the First Lady to the Benedictine Abbey, including prayers and the laying of flowers at the tombs of St. Benedict and St. Scholastica;
• Participation of the President and First Lady in the “Trail of Memory” trekking event together with scouts, young people, and community activists;
• Participation of the President and First Lady in an open-air Holy Mass;
• Participation of the President and First Lady in the ceremony commemorating the 82nd anniversary of the Battle of Monte Cassino.
Karol and Marta Nawrocki were accompanied by members of the Gazeta Polska Clubs. Several dozen participants of the large trip to Monte Cassino marched alongside the president.
In his memoirs entitled Without the Last Chapter, General Władysław Anders, commander of the 2nd Corps, described the circumstances behind the decision to commit Polish forces to the battle.
“Carrying out this task, given the international attention Monte Cassino had gained at the time, could have been of great importance to the Polish cause. It would have been the best response to Soviet propaganda claiming that Poles did not want to fight the Germans. It would strengthen the morale of the fighting Homeland. It would bring great glory to Polish arms. I assessed the risks of undertaking this battle, the inevitable losses, and my full responsibility in the event of failure. After a brief consideration, I declared that I would undertake this difficult task,” Anders wrote.