Sunday, December 27, 2009

US American Soldiers travel to Poland for pilgrimage to Jasna Gora

US American Soldiers travel to Poland for pilgrimage to Jasna Gora







Illinois Soldiers travel to Poland for pilgrimage
By Army Staff Sgt. Stephanie McCurry
Illinois National Guard




Eight Illinois National Guard troops lead the group of about 300 into Czestochowa during the Polish pilgrimage. The Illinois guardsmen walked along with Polish and German Soldiers for the annual pilgrimage from Warsaw to Czestochowa in August. (Photo courtesy of Illinois National Guard)
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SPRINGFIELD, Ill., (8/31/09) -- Imagine walking from Peoria to Aurora. In August, eight Illinois National Guard members did just that, except in a foreign country, Poland.

Six Soldiers and two Airmen walked 137 miles, beginning in Warsaw and ending in Czestochowa, in 10 days for the annual Polish pilgrimage. They walked with a group of about 300 people that included Polish, German and Slovakian Soldiers.

Every year, thousands of Catholics from around the world go to Poland to participate in the ceremonial walk to Jasna Gora monastery in Czestochowa, the site of the revered Black Madonna icon.

Their journey began with an early morning mass at the field cathedral of the Polish Army. Every day, the group attended Mass regardless of their various faiths and beliefs.

During the 12-hour walk each day, they were treated with prayers, songs and sermons in German, Polish, Italian and English broadcasted through large speakers carried by participants.

Local residents provided pilgrimage participants with food, refreshments and encouragement along the route. Every night, the Illinois Guardsmen slept in tents provided by the Polish Armed Forces.

“I was told numerous times by Polish Soldiers that they got a kick out of the fact that the German Soldiers and American Soldiers were communicating to each other through their Polish translators,” said Sgt. David Sworobowicz.

Local farmers stood along the route and handed out their fruit and vegetables to everyone walking in the pilgrimage. The cities also worked together to offer soups and bread for lunch everyday. The other breaks they had throughout the day were at numerous churches.

“The civilians’ generosity along the way is unmatched,” said 2nd Lt. Veronica Kool, of Springfield, Illinois Army National Guard. “All along the route, the Polish stood waiting outside their homes offering whatever food they had to give.”

“The religious experience gained from this exercise is above and beyond rewarding,” said Sworobowicz. “I can only hope to do it again sometime.”

The trip ended at Jasna Gora monastery in Czestochowa with the military pilgrimage walking the last half mile or so through thousands of supportive spectators that waved, shook their hands, gave hugs and took pictures of the group.

“It is not every day that you get to travel overseas for a friendly noncombative operation,” said 1st Lt. Jeremy Dugena. “From the arrival in Poland, the Polish Army were incredible hosts making sure we had everything we needed.”

Illinois Guardsmen participated in the pilgrimage to commemorate the 1655 Polish victory over Sweden and to build a stronger relationship with the Polish.

The National Guard sponsored State Partnership Program (SPP) between the Illinois National Guard and Republic of Poland was established in 1993.

The SPP links National Guard states and territories with their partner countries to foster mutual interests and establishing long-term relationships across all levels of society.
Through the SPP, Illinois Army and Air National Guard service members have participated in annual, joint training exchanges with military forces of the republic of Poland.

“Their professionalism and maturity are what I desire in every group of Guardsmen who come to Poland,” said Maj. James Fisher, the bilateral affairs officer for the U.S. Embassy in Warsaw. “They promoted the State Partnership Program with flying colors and are model diplomats of our country.”
POLAND AGAIN REFUSED
VISA WAIVER STATUS


Washington, D.C. (PMN)—The following letter was sent on October 17, 2008, by Frank Spula, President of the Polish American Congress (PAC), to Senator John McCain and Senator Barack Obama:



"As you may know, today a ceremony took place in the White House Rose Garden, during which President Bush announced that seven countries - Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia and South Korea – met the requirements to join the Visa Waiver Program.



"Poland was not included as one of the favored nations.



"I am certain that you are well aware of the great significance the inclusion of Poland in the Visa Waiver Program would have to one of this country’s most steadfast allies.



"However, Poland is still yet to be included as, according to the most recent statistics, the refusal rate in Poland is three points too high.



"There is no need to reiterate all of the facts that show how Poland has been for years one of the most reliable and consistent allies of the United States in many arenas, as well as the fact that Poland not only does not pose any kind of terrorist threat, but has done a lot to combat this international menace. I am certain that you already know all of those arguments.



"However, I would like to emphasize another, perhaps less known aspect of the situation, namely the great loss of good will today’s continued exclusion means to many people of Poland towards the United States of America.



"I have been repeatedly hearing how feelings of excitement and support towards our great country have been over the course of the last two years turning into those of disappointment and bitterness.



"Furthermore, and more worrisome, I have been hearing that many members of the 10 million strong Polish American Community (Polonia) are starting to hold similar feelings.



"In these turbulent times, the United States has to cultivate and cherish its relationships with most faithful allies. Poland is definitely among those nations. It is time, in fact it is now much past due, to show Poland that its support and contributions are valued by the United States, and not with sweet words, but with concrete actions.



"As the President of the Polish American Congress, one of the oldest-and the largest-Polish ethnic organization in the United States, I urge you, either as the next president of our great nation or on the Senate floor, to do what the previous administration has been promising Poland and Polonia for years but have never delivered – make sure that Poland joins the privileged ranks of the visa free travel as soon as possible."



A similar letter was sent to President George W. Bush, who has been promising the visa waiver for Polish citizens for years, but, despite praising Poland as an ally, has not delivered on the promise.



Obama has said that he would invite Poland to join the Visa Waiver Program. A campaign release stated, "Today’s visa regime with Poland reflects neither the current strategic relationship nor the close historic bond between our peoples … In particular, this means expanding the program to countries, like Poland, that have demonstrated a capacity and willingness to cooperate with the U.S. in achieving counterterrorism goals."



McCain has been silent on the subject during his campaign for the presidency and reportedly agrees with the current Bush policy on visa waivers.




Hundreds of US soldiers join Polish pilgrimage
By VANESSA GERA – 17 hours ago

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Hundreds of soldiers in camouflage set off Tuesday on a 10-day march to Poland's holiest Roman Catholic shrine — among them five Americans hoping to deepen ties with an ally.

Five members of the Illinois National Guard traveled to Poland to make the 180-mile (290-kilometer) trek on foot — alongside Poles, Germans and other Europeans — from Warsaw to Czestochowa, site of the revered Black Madonna icon.

Though the 300-year-old pilgrimage has deep religious and patriotic resonance in mainly Catholic Poland, the main purpose of the U.S. contingent, a tradition that has started in recent years, is to show solidarity with Poland — an ally in Iraq and Afghanistan — and other nations.

It's a chance "to come together and share a little bit, and hopefully develop closer bonds with foreign militaries in a non-combat type setting," said Master Sgt. Roman Waldron, 37, from Springfield, Illinois.

Before embarking on the pilgrimage, the pilgrims attended an early morning Mass at the Field Cathedral of the Polish Army, where a priest blessed them with holy water. They were also told to set a moral example and refrain from drinking or smoking during the march.

The Black Madonna — which legend says was painted by St. Luke — was brought to the Jasna Gora monastery in Czestochowa in 1384.

Many miracles have been attributed to the painting, including a 1655 siege during which 70 monks and 180 supporters held off nearly 4,000 soldiers from the Protestant Swedish army and inspired Poles to rise up and throw out the invaders.

Sgt. 1st Class Evan Young, from Rock Island, Illinois, believes the pilgrimage is going to be even more meaningful than he had first imagined.

"Originally when I was given the opportunity I thought it would be kind of a neat way to see Poland, but then I started doing research on the Black Madonna and the siege and I thought it's part of a much bigger thing," said Young, a 45-year-old who grew up Episcopalian.

"It's pretty neat to be taking part in this, and help improve relations with Poland and other countries that are here," he said.

Only one of the five American soldiers is a Catholic. They will sleep in eight-man tents set up along the route by the Polish army.

The soldiers were trailed by thousands of students and other pilgrims in Warsaw, and will eventually join up with thousands more expected to converge on Czestochowa next week, ahead of the August 15 Catholic holy day marking the Assumption of Mary.

Warsaw Archbishop Kazimierz Nycz walked briefly with the group Tuesday.

"This builds brotherhood among soldiers from different countries," he said.

Friday, December 25, 2009

Zakazane Piosenki 2 tak odbydujemy Polske od gor do morza i Polskie Stocznie

Zakazane Piosenki 2 tak odbydujemy Polske od gor do morza i Polskie Stocznie





Gdzie są kwiaty z tamtych lat?

Friday, December 18, 2009

Kradzież napisu z bramy obozu Auschwitz-Birkenau

Kradzież napisu z bramy obozu Auschwitz-Birkenau
prof. Józef Szaniawski (2009-12-18) Aktualności dnia

słuchaj
zapisz

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Czlowiek kto zastal polne Polskie Nasze Drogi a zostawil asfaltowe Edward Gierek

Czlowiek kto zastal polne Polskie Nasze Drogi a zostawil asfaltowe Edward Gierek


Nik mnie już o nic nie pytał 4/5 - Edward Gierek(2003)

Friday, December 11, 2009

This is how Poland saved 13 Americans CIA in IraQ 1990 Operation Samum real story

Poland of Europe are and will be the best and reliable allie of the United States in this new century




Have you ever heard about Operation Samum which the point was that to evacuate US officers from Iraq just before Desert Storm? That was Polish Intelligence Service big succes. General Gromos 2;aw Czempi 4;ski take out of Iraq US officers. He learned them to spell their "new" polish names because they were given new IDs and document. They have to act polish building workers. Polish officer told him to drink bottle of alcohole and say to Iraqi officer on border line that they are very happy cause they are coming back to Poland. They were very drunk but fortunatelly they spelled their new names correctly. Operation was succesful. US gerneral gave polish officers medals. Brits and other countries refused to make this operation.

For the Americans, Polish intelligence was the last chance-everyone else had already left Iraq as the atmosphere was too hot to handle. For the government in Warsaw, Operation Samum was an opportunity to show that Poland could be an equal partner and in the future a worthy NATO member.

A brilliant performance, what's better is the fact that:

Polish forces rescued not only CIA agents from Baghdad but also secret maps apparently so crucial that Operation Desert Storm could have had a different outcome if the mission had failed.

But even though it was a success, all the details of the operation will never see the light of day.



Operation Simoom[1] (Polish: Operacja Samum) was a top secret Polish intelligence operation conducted in Iraq in 1990.

In 1990 the CIA asked European intelligence agencies to assist in the withdrawal of six American operatives (a mix of CIA and DIA officers) investigating Iraqi troops movements in Iraq before the Gulf War (WP 1995). Several countries, such as Russia, Great Britain, and France refused to help in such a dangerous operation; only Poland agreed to help (WP 1995). The operation was very risky because if the cover were to be blown, all operatives were likely to be killed.

Poland had ties throughout Iraq because of construction work carried out there by Polish engineering companies (WP 1995) and sent a few operatives to start working on the operation. Gromos 2;aw Czempi 4;ski (WV 1999) became the commander of this operation, assigned to it by Polish Minister of Internal Affairs and first chief of Urząd Ochrony Pa 4;stwa, Krzysztof Koz 2;owski (WP 1995). Ironically, Czempi 4;ski has previously been a spy in the United States and either took part or led many operations against the Western intelligence services (WP 1995). The main plan was to reestablish contact with the hiding American spies and give them Polish passports so they could escape from Iraq in a bus, alongside Polish and Russian workers.
The escape came after the six agents spent weeks on the run in Kuwait and Baghdad (WP 1995). The operation was very difficult because the Iraqis started to suspect some kind of American-Polish intrigue (WP 1995).

The agents were given refuge at a Polish construction camp, and then provided with passports and put on a refugee bus. An Iraqi officer at checkpoint on the border had studied in Poland and spoke Polish well enough to communicate. When the bus arrived at the border, he asked one of the American spies a question in Polish. Since the spy did not know Polish at all, he pretended to be heavily drunk (another version states that the operative in question fainted). Nevertheless, the bus managed to cross the border with all occupants (WP 1995). Poles moved the agents out of Iraq and into the safety of Turkey (WP 1995). Operatives from both sides returned to their countries. Polish forces rescued not only the agents but also secret maps—detailed maps of Baghdad and particulars about military installations scattered throughout Iraq—apparently crucial for Operation Desert Storm. (WP 1995, WV 1999)
As a reward for Poland's help, the US government promised to cancel half, or $16.5 billion, of Poland's foreign debt (NYT 1995).

In at least two other operations, the Poles later aided another 15 foreigners to escape, mostly Britons, held hostage by the Iraqis as part of Saddam Hussein's "human shield" campaign to deter an allied invasion. (WP 1995)

Information about this operation was first revealed in 1995 by The Washington Post (NYT 1995, WV 1999). In 1999, Polish director W 2;adys 2;aw Pasikowski made a movie, Operacja Samum about this operation; it was the first Polish production co-financed by Warner Bros. and third by