Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Maurice Smith | Polish Veterans, Soldiers from the 1st Infantry Division Forward, students and...... read more read more
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POZNAN, Poland - Almost 50 Soldiers from the 1st Infantry Division Forward travelled to Poznan University Oct. 16, 2019 and interacted with Polish Veterans to listen and learn about their history and experiences.
Brig. Gen. Jan Podhorski and Maj. Janusz Gunderman are two Polish troops who survived the Warsaw Uprising. It began in August of 1944 and lasted until October of that year, resulting in an estimated 200,000 deaths.
Podhorski and Gunderman were in attendance at Poznan University to tell their stories to U.S. Soldiers and college students as well.
"I was very surprised and very happy to hear I was going to be able to meet fellow Soldiers, American Soldiers who are here to hear my story," said Gunderman.
Gunderman and Podhorski both shared experiences about how difficult those times were and some of the struggles they both endured.
Gunderman explained how supplies and rations were low during that time. He said he didn't initially have a weapon until he picked up one from a colleague who was killed in battle.
Many of the Polish were under constant fire from artillery and had to evade enemy forces by travelling through canals filled with excrement and deceased civilians and Soldiers, Podhorski and Gunderman both explained.
"It is very important to show you how brutal it was and to take a moment so you all can learn something about our history," said Gunderman.
U.S. Soldiers sat and listened to these stories as the Polish Veterans held their complete attention while speaking.
"The horrors that they witnessed and the family members they lost is unimaginable to me," said Maj. Scott Eberlein, a civil affairs planner currently assigned to 1ID Forward.
"How they survived this period of history is truly miraculous. I felt extremely honored and humbled to be in their presence," he said.
The University of Poznan also gave a presentation during the visit and provided a bit more history for all to understand. After the presentation, the Polish Veterans and 1ID Forward Soldiers exchanged gifts and awards.
Soldiers from 1ID Forward are in Poland to support Atlantic Resolve, which is a demonstration of continued U.S. commitment to NATO allies and partner nations in Eastern Europe through continuous, enhanced multinational training and security cooperation activities.
Interacting with Veterans from the Warsaw Uprising helped strengthen that commitment, according to the Soldiers.
"The event last night gave the Soldiers a historical context and greater understanding of the place where they live and work," he said.
"It was super interesting learning about their culture and experiences," said Pfc. Erich Jones, a 20-year-old native of Raleigh, N.C., currently assigned to 1ID Forward.
"The one thing I took away from this is to never forget history or let it be left behind," he said.
| Date Taken: | 10.16.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 10.24.2019 11:14 |
| Story ID: | 348205 |
| Location: | POZNAN, PL |
| Hometown: | FORT RILEY, KANSAS, US |
| Web Views: | 45 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, 1ID FWD Soldiers Share Moments with Veterans from the Warsaw Uprising, by SFC Maurice Smith, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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