Poland Offers Troops for Afghanistan
Poland is the first to answer NATO's call for more troops in Afghanistan. They will send 1000, though where they will position them is still unclear. In making their declaration public, Poland's prime minister and NATO's secretary general hope to encourage other nations to respond to NATO's request.
Poland has a history of fighting for freedom. Count Casimir Pulaski, for example, fought with us in the American Revolution, dying at the Siege of Savannah. Also, General Thaddeus Kosciusko (Tadeusz Kosciuszko) fought as a colonel in the Continental Army under George Washington, and returned home to Poland to begin reform efforts there.
Poland was the first European nation in the modern era to introduce a written constitution, enacting many reforms and bringing many freedoms to its people. Unfortunately, this threatened and angered Poland's bellicose neighbors, Austria, Prussia, and Russia, who ganged up on her and subjugated her.
Now that Poland is finally free from Russian domination, it is not surprising to see her stepping up for freedom in whatever small ways she can.
posted by Anna Venger @ 7:24 AM
5 comments
5 Comments:
Once again showing that Poland and her people rock!
And don't forget they started the freedom movement in Eastern Europe that eventually led to the overthrow of Communism. More than any other nation, they never accepted Soviet domination. And of course their bravery in Warsaw during World War II, where they fought on despite abandonment by the Soviets.
Just out of curiosity, was your family name originally something like, Smithkowski? ;)
Thanks for the additional Poland facts. Poland does indeed rock.
My family changed their name to be more American. My dad was always taught that he was an American, not Polish.
They are only sending 600-900 people.
They are not a huge country and they were suppressed and poor for so long, I think it's impressive for them to be so anxious to help on the world stage which is why I picked up on the story.
It seems to me that the number Poland is sending to Afghanistan is greater than France is sending to Lebanon or do I have my numbers wrong?
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