Tusk urged Poland’s elite GROM soldiers that while August 15 is a national holiday, their true purpose is relentless service and not festive revelry; he praised the unit’s valor, recalled historic military triumphs, and called on allies to remember the day’s significance amid current conflicts.
Tusk to GROM soldiers: You are the pride of the Polish nation
During a visit to the GROM unit in Warsaw, Donald Tusk told the soldiers that, although everyone in Poland loves the army, the holiday, and the parade, their regular duty is not a celebration. He recalled the founding of the unit, his collaborations with Generals Czempiński and Pętelicki, and emphasized that the soldiers honor the memory of their leaders and the heroes who gave their lives for Poland. Tusk highlighted that August 15 is a special day for them, yet their daily service deserves deeper respect and trust from the nation.
No better day
Reflecting on the meeting between former President Trump and President Putin in Alaska, Tusk said that there is no better day for Europeans and the world to remember that nothing is impossible. He cited the Miracle of the Vistula as a testament to Polish courage, faith, and unity, and urged that support for Ukraine continues, for strength and conviction remain essential in the modern world.
Celebrations of 15 August
At 12.00 on Friday in Wisłostrada, Warsaw, a grand parade will begin in celebration of Polish Army Day. Over 4,000 soldiers from all branches of the Armed Forces will participate, showcasing nearly 50 aircraft and 300 of the latest equipment. For the first time, the parade will also feature a sea component, with naval vessels joining a parallel maritime display on the Baltic Sea near Hel. The day commemorates the 1920 Battle of Warsaw—the “Miracle on the Vistula”—which secured Polish independence and safeguarded Europe from Bolshevik revolution.
