On November 11th we will mark the anniversary of Poland’s independence. Until 1918, Poland had, for 123 years, been divided between the German, Austro-Hungarian, and Russian empires. Since that time, Poland has suffered terribly under both Nazi occupation and Soviet domination.
Few nations understand the meaning of freedom from oppression better than Poland.
Today, a free and independent Poland is perhaps more important than ever before. As Ukraine fights for its existence against Russian aggression, no country has demonstrated its friendship like Poland. And here in the United States, the Polish community has, time and time again, lent its time, donated its money, and stood in solidarity with Ukraine and the Ukrainian people in their time of need.
Few nations understand what it means to fight for its survival better than Poland.
And every night across Poland, people come out into the streets, along with Ukrainian refugees, to sing Polish and Ukrainian songs, side by side: to acknowledge Ukraine and Ukrainian culture; to acknowledge the war; and to therefore acknowledge both the bravery and the terrible, continuing sacrifices of the Ukrainian people.
Because few nations understand the importance of culture for national survival better than Poland.
And so the Ukrainian-American Crisis Response Committee of Michigan would like to extend its deepest gratitude to the nation of Poland and to the Polish community here in Michigan. It is not an exaggeration to say that if Ukraine today has not yet perished, it is because Poland is not yet lost.
Слава Україні!
Niech żyje Polska!
Дякую!
Dziękuję!