Poland thanks Driel for enduring friendship
“We have come here to thank you for your open and cordial attitude – for cherishing and spreading the grateful memory of the Polish liberators. This is how ties of international friendship, Polish-Dutch friendship, are built and strengthened. We really feel at home in Driel.”
With these warm words, Polish Minister Jan Józef Kasprzyk addressed the Driel organisations on Saturday 18 March, in the presence of the Polish ambassador and the Mayor, after which a rain of awards followed.
Nine organizations received the honourable Polish award Pro Patria from the minister: Football Association RKSV, Music Association Concordia, Driel Traffic Controllers, Christian Primary School de Meeuwenberg, Primary School de Kameleon, Roman Catholic Church Mary Nativity in Driel, Reformed Church in Driel, First Aid Association HEDRIN and Royal First Aid Association Heteren.
Arno Baltussen, chairman of the Driel-Polen Foundation:
“The fact that the Polish government thanks us as a Driel community for ‘spreading the grateful memory’ of the Polish liberators with, among other things, the annual commemoration, makes us humble. Humble, because 80 years after the Polish fighters’ efforts, we can still be grateful every day for the freedom we were given. And this is even though the Polish effort has still not received the recognition it more than deserves around the world. Seeing that, witnessing the unconditional commitment to the freedom of others – is so essential.”
Below you can read the article from the Gelderlander and RN7 about the handing over of the Pro Patria award to the Driel organizations:
https://www.rn7.nl/40473-poolse-regering-onderscheidt-vrijwilligers-driel-voor-inzet-polenherdenking