MTMC commander provides honors for Polish military veterans - Military Traffic Management Command - Brief Article

Translog: Journal of Military Transportation Management, Nov-Dec, 2001

To the tunes of Polish martial music, Maj. Gen. Kenneth L. Privratsky rendered a crisp military salute.

Amid colorful flags and uniforms ancient and modern, the veterans of the Polish military stood proudly at attention.

The flourishes were accented by emotion and conviction. Other than the shoes of the reviewing party walking on the grass, all sound seemed to fade away.

In the distance, blue-hued crests of successive hills framed the moment in natural beauty.

The occasion was Polish Armed Services Day held Aug. 19, at the Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa, in Doylestown, Pa.

Privratsky, Commander, Military Traffic Management Command, was asked to represent the U.S. Army by Chief of Staff Eric Shinseki.

"You look marvelous!" said Privratsky, to the assembled formation.

On a broad sweeping plateau of Pennsylvania summer time, the ceremony had the look of a history book come alive. Polish history in sound and color was on that field.

There were veterans of World War II. There were survivors of the Warsaw Uprising in the far-off summer of 1944. There were uniforms of past armies that contrasted with a platoon of lean young men in contemporary uniforms - recently discharged veterans. There were women's service organizations and young people in folk dancing troops. All drew a place--men and women, young and old.

In vintage uniforms at the end were Chris Czuj and Jack Rissmiller, both serving as World War II re-enactors with the 1st Polish Independent Paratrooper Brigade.

Privratsky assisted placing a wreath for the fallen at Our Lady of the Hetman Memorial.

"I am humbled to walk through your ranks a moment ago," said Privratsky. "How honored I am to be a representative of the U.S. Army.

"What a wonderful place to host this ceremony today."

Polish veterans and their sacrifices run deep into American history, said Privratsky.

Recent joint operations included Polish troops in Bosnia peacekeeping operations and in Operation Desert Storm.

"The United States and Poland will continue to strengthen our diplomatic ties as allies," said Privratsky.

The remark drew strong applause.

"I am deeply humbled to help represent Polish Armed Service Day," said Privratsky.

Poland's veterans said they appreciated Privratsky's representation.

Jozef Zawitkowski, his wife, Jauina, and Lazowski Henryk participated in the ceremonies. The three proudly wore vertical red and white armbands--the only uniform of the Home Army that fought in the Warsaw Uprising for 61 days in late 1944.

Jan Fudala proudly adjusted his beret.

"This is a great day," said Fudala. "I can see my friends and former colleagues.

"I almost cried when I got here and saw so many flags."

Fudala, of Binghamton, N.Y., was an Army cadet when World War II began in September 1939. After the defeat of the Polish Army, he escaped through Romania and ultimately joined French forces in Syria. After the surrender of the French Republic, he joined the 2nd Polish Brigade serving with the British Army in North Africa. Later, he saw duty in Italy including the tough fighting at Monte Cassino.

Czuj and Rissmiller, the World War II re-enactors, got a lot of attention. They are in authentic uniforms and field gear. A crowd forms at their vintage American jeep--manufactured on June 15, 1942, according to a plaque on the dashboard.

Czuj drove the jeep all the way from Long Island, N.Y., in order to have it present for the Polish Armed Services Day ceremony.

A former helicopter pilot in the Warsaw Pact era of the Polish military, today Czuj is a computer technician in the United States.

Czuj lost three relatives in World War II. One is buried in North Africa and a second in the Warsaw Military Cemetery. The third?

"We don't know" said Czuj. "He was a military intelligence officer and on Aug. 1 (the first day of the 1944 Warsaw Uprising) he left his family and was never heard from again."

Rissmiller, who speaks no Polish, stood proudly.

"It's good to come here," said Rissmiller. "It is a chance to show the younger generation."

The Doylestown shrine was built amid the serene, rolling Pennsylvania farm country in 1966. It mirrors an original monastery and shrine in Poland that since World War I has served as a national pilgrimage for those seeking to honor Polish independence.