The Territorial Defence Forces celebrate their holiday on September 27th – the Day of the Polish Underground State. This year’s celebrations took place a week later – on October 4th, at the Great Market Square in Zamość. Preceded by a concert, a ceremonial roll call, and a Holy Mass, the event attracted many people who wanted to express their gratitude and support for all Territorial Defence soldiers.
Photos: Territorial Defence Forces Command
On Saturday, October 4th, the Great Market Square in Zamość became the beating heart of the Territorial Defence Forces. At noon, the Zamość Bugle Call sounded from the Town Hall tower, this time also announcing the beginning of the 8th anniversary celebrations of the Territorial Defence Forces.
The ceremony was attended by: Deputy Head of the National Security Bureau – Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Mirosław Bryś; Secretary of State at the Ministry of National Defence – Paweł Bejda; Deputy Chief of the Training Directorate (P7) of the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces – Col. Artur Barański; Commanders of the branches of the Armed Forces; the Military Diplomatic Corps; representatives of state and local authorities; clergy; and representatives of both military and civilian institutions. The Territorial Defence Brigades were represented by commanders and officers subordinate to the Commander of the Territorial Defence Forces, as well as units from the 2nd, 3rd, 10th, 19th, and 20th Territorial Defence Brigades, color guards, and WOT personnel. The military honor guard was provided by the Representative Company of the Territorial Defence Forces, together with the Representative Orchestra of the Territorial Defence Forces and the flag detail.
Brigadier General Dr. Krzysztof Stańczyk opened the ceremony by emphasizing the heritage carried by the soldiers of the Territorial Defence Forces and the journey the formation has undertaken since its inception:
“Today’s gathering is a special one for us. We are celebrating the 8th anniversary of the Territorial Defence Forces, a formation whose roots reach back to the proud traditions of the Home Army. It was their heroes, who fought for the nation’s freedom and sovereignty, that left us a legacy we now continue in a modern form of service to our Homeland.
Thanks to the vision and determination of our previous Commanders: General Wiesław Kukuła and Lieutenant General Maciej Klisz, the Territorial Defence Forces have come a long way: from a newly built formation to an independent and modern branch of the Armed Forces. Today, more than 43,500 soldiers serve in our ranks, ready to defend the nation and support their local communities.
The foundation of our identity lies not only in the traditions we inherit but also in the ethos of service that defines the Territorial Defence Forces – an ethos of readiness to help others, of responsibility, loyalty to comrades, and willingness to make sacrifices. It is this ethos that makes a Territorial Defence soldier not only a defender of the Homeland, but also a neighbor, a friend, and a member of the local community – always ready and always close to support fellow citizens. An inseparable part of our formation is also a culture of leadership built on respect and trust, on a partnership between superiors and subordinates. Thanks to this, every soldier knows they are an essential part of the team, and that their initiative and talent truly matter.”
The Commander also emphasized the support that soldiers in olive berets provide every day to other uniformed services and local communities:
“Over the past years, we have repeatedly proven that the Territorial Defence Forces are always where our Homeland needs us. We stand guard at the nation’s borders alongside the Border Guard; we assist during floods, storms, and crises; we support rescue and search operations. We protect the strategic site known as POLLOGHUB Jasionka. Every day, more than 1,500 Territorial Defence soldiers carry out their duties, and the olive beret has become a symbol of responsibility, professionalism, and patriotism – a mark that can be relied upon.”
In expressing gratitude to the soldiers and civilian employees of the Territorial Defence Forces for their service and work, he also recalled the words of Marshal Józef Piłsudski:
“‘A nation that loses its memory loses its conscience.’ It is this remembrance of the past that guides us toward the future — toward a Poland that is strong, secure, and resilient.”
The celebration of the 8th anniversary of the Territorial Defence Forces also became an occasion to promote soldiers to higher military ranks and to present awards to both soldiers and civilian employees.
A key part of the ceremony was the conferral of the honorary title and presentation of the Leading Subunit of the Territorial Defence Forces standards, which were awarded to: the sapper company from the 2nd Lublin Territorial Defence Brigade, the logistics company from the 12th Greater Poland Territorial Defence Brigade, and the 163rd Light Infantry Battalion from the 16th Lower Silesian Territorial Defence Brigade.
Honors were also bestowed upon soldiers who earned public commendation for their heroism, dedication, and efforts in saving lives and helping others. The following individuals were recognized during the ceremony in Zamość:
- Staff Sergeant Tobiasz Lewandowski (5th Masovian Territorial Defence Brigade) – for assisting victims of a road accident,
- Corporal Patryk Łyżwa (7th Pomeranian Territorial Defence Brigade) – for his social engagement, providing free tutoring to students of the Primary School in Żelazno (damaged by the September 2024 flood),
- Specialist Private First Class Mateusz Rubak (10th Świętokrzyska Territorial Defence Brigade) – for assisting victims of a road accident,
- Private Dawid Pikuła and Private Sebastian Wróbel (13th Silesian Territorial Defence Brigade) – for apprehending an assailant armed with a sharp weapon, risking their own lives,
- Private Piotr Maksymczak (16th Lower Silesian Territorial Defence Brigade) – for providing aid to victims of a road accident, including saving the life of a minor.
The President of the Republic of Poland, Karol Nawrocki, and the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, sent letters to the soldiers of the Territorial Defence Forces on the occasion of their holiday.
“I extend my highest appreciation to all soldiers and civilian employees of the Territorial Defence Forces for their daily effort, dedication, and committed service. Your readiness to act, your presence within local communities, and your sensitivity to their needs are fully reflected in the formation’s motto – Always Ready, Always Close. This is confirmed not only by your numerous examples of assistance during natural disasters and in the defense of the borders of the Republic of Poland, but also by your steadfast attitude in the face of new threats posed by today’s realities, including violations of Poland’s airspace. Thanks to your presence in your local communities, their residents can feel safer and look to the future with greater confidence,” wrote the President of the Republic of Poland in his letter to the soldiers of the Territorial Defence Forces.
“Thank you for your professionalism and readiness to act in every situation – both in peacetime, when you assist victims of floods, fires, and disasters, and during training exercises and defense operations such as Blazing Storm 25, last year’s Phoenix operation in Lower Silesia [regional flood relief operation – translator’s note], or your daily demanding duties along our nation’s borders. In each of these situations, you have proven that you are an exceptional formation – close to the people from whom you come. The Territorial Defence Forces are unique also because they are made up of representatives of nearly every profession. Within the ranks of the TDF serve students and teachers, lecturers and entrepreneurs, employers and employees, volunteer firefighters, nurses, doctors, paramedics, IT specialists, psychologists, career counselors, athletes, heavy equipment operators, and drone pilots. This diversity of professions and experience is a great strength of your formation and a powerful bond linking it to society. You are the heirs to the traditions of the Home Army, yet also a modern branch of the Armed Forces that develops unmanned capabilities and combines remembrance of the past with responsibility for the future – for a strong and secure Republic of Poland,” emphasized the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence in his letter.
On behalf of the Chief of the General Staff, General Wiesław Kukuła, the letter was read by Colonel Artur Barański:
“Upon your shoulders rests the responsibility for defending local communities, supporting operational forces, and strengthening the nation’s resilience against hybrid and conventional threats. In the face of the war taking place beyond our eastern border and the changing dynamics of modern threats, the importance of the Territorial Defence Forces grows with each passing day. It is you – the soldiers of the Territorial Defence Forces – who stand closest to the citizens. Your presence and readiness to act are a tangible reinforcement of the country’s resilience, both in peacetime and in times of crisis. Through your dedication to training, the development of combat capabilities, and integration with local communities, the Territorial Defence Forces are becoming an essential pillar of national defense.”
Also speaking at the ceremony in Zamość was the First Deputy Voivode of Lublin, Mr. Wojciech Wołoch:
“Today we witnessed the recognition of people who accomplish great things. Great heroes of small communities, small towns, local events, or major ceremonies. Saving lives, helping at accident sites, tutoring – these are the things that make small worlds full of great life, great deeds, and great moments. For this, I would like to express my heartfelt thanks. It is your work, your motto, and your tradition that form your commitment and challenge, whether in uniform or not – Always Ready, Always Close. You are an immensely important part of the security of our communities, of Poland, of the Lublin region, and of all of us, for which I thank you sincerely.”
At the conclusion of the official part of the ceremony, the commander of the event, Lieutenant Colonel Dominik Pieprzowski from the 25th Light Infantry Battalion in Zamość (2nd Lublin Territorial Defence Brigade), gave the command for the units to form up for the parade. The soldiers then marched past the reviewing stand.
