On behalf of the The Polish Army Veterans Association of America, The Polish National Home in Brooklyn and Pangea Network, we would like to extend to you a Special Invitation to attend and participate in the rededication ceremony of the Warsaw Uprising Memorial in Brooklyn, NY, in honor of the 71st Anniversary of the Warsaw Uprising. This historic ceremony will take place in front of the Polish National Home on Sunday, August 2nd at 2.00 p.m.
The Warsaw Uprising Memorial in Brooklyn was originally elected in August 2014 in order to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the uprising. It was vandalized three days after the Veterans Day in November of 2014. Thanks to the community support and a donation by good hearted anonymous donors we were able to restore and make the first memorial in the United States of America dedicated to the Heroes of the Warsaw Uprising even better. The memorial seemed to follow the same path as the city of Warsaw which was almost completely destroyed and than rebuild by its people after the war.
The Warsaw Uprising was the largest single military effort taken by any European resistance movement against the Nazis during World War II. The Uprising begun on August 1, 1944 as part of a nationwide plan organized by the Polish Underground State to drive the German occupiers from the city and help the Allies with the larger fight against the Nazis. With little outside support and the Soviets watching the city burn from across the Vistula River, a heroic 63 day long battle ended with surrender. Although the exact number of casualties remains unknown, it is estimated that about 16,000 members of the Polish Resistance were killed and about 6,000 badly wounded. In addition, between 150,000 and 200,000 Polish civilians died, mostly from mass executions. In retaliation for the Uprising, the Germans decided to obliterate the city of Warsaw from the face of the earth by destroying nearly 90 percent of its buildings.
The NY Memorial is dedicated to all of those “patriots of freedom” that fought and died in that heroic battle which happened 71 years ago. Many of the survivors of the Warsaw Uprising settled in the United States, and in New York City, after the war. One of them, Ryszard Kossobudzki, who is prominently featured on the Memorial, lived in Brooklyn. The acclaimed book that tells his story, entitled “Quiet Hero,” became a national bestseller in the United States and has been heralded around the world. His daughter Rita Cosby, renown Emmy Award-Winning TV and Radio Host, will speak at the Mural’s unveiling.
The other two Uprisers who are portrayed on the Mural are Witold Modelski and Julian Kulski. Witold died in a battle at the age of twelve, and was awarded the Cross of Valor for his heroism, making him the youngest freedom fighter to receive such an honor. Julian Kulski is a son of the wartime president of Warsaw.
Julian fought in Kedyw – the special forces in the Warsaw Uprising. His story has been featured in two books written by him, “The Legacy of the White Eagle” and “The Color of Courage.” Julian Kulski will be the guest of honor who will join Rita Cosby and other dignitaries to unveil this historic Warsaw Uprising Memorial in Brooklyn.
The ceremony will take place on Sunday, August 2nd, 2015 at 2:00 pm. at the Polish National Home, 261 Driggs Avenue, Brooklyn, NY.
Following the ceremony all guests are invited to join the actual Warsaw Uprisers in a special presentation dedicated to their stories and also to see a Special Screening of the acclaimed film, “Warsaw 44”.
Source: Pangea Network NY
Photo © Grzegorz Fryc