HomeMy WebLinkAboutSeptember 21, 2024 1944 Warsaw Airift DayCOLUMBIA HEIGHTS
PROCLAMATION
The 1944 Warsaw Uprising US Airlift Day of Remembrance: September 21, 2024
The heroic B-17 "I'll Be Seeing You" airlift crew made the ultimate sacrifice in support of
the 1944 Warsaw Uprising in Poland, bravely flying missions to aid Polish resistance
fighters against Nazi occupation. The crew faced unimaginable dangers, with their
plane tragically shot down by Nazi forces. Some of the crew members perished in the
crash, while others endured the hardships of Nazi POW camps.
The City of Columbia Heights is deeply connected to this history, reflecting the courage
and resilience of those who fought for freedom and the enduring spirit of solidarity
between our communities. The unveiling of the B-17 "I'll Be Seeing You" Memorial, a
replica sculpture gifted by our sister city Lomianki, Poland, stands as a powerful tribute
to the crew's bravery and sacrifice. It also symbolizes the strong ties between Columbia
Heights and the people of Poland.
We are honored to welcome Polish dignitaries, including Rafal Trzaskowski, Mayor of
Warsaw, Poland, Agata Grochowska, Consul of the Republic of Poland in Chicago,
Malgorzata Zebrowska-Piotrak, former Mayor of Lomianki, Poland, and John
Radzilowski, Director of the Polish Institute of Culture and Research, Gdak Studio
designer and architect of the sculpture, alongside local officials and community
members, to commemorate this historical event.
Therefore, I, Amdda Mdrquez Simula, Mayor of Columbia Heights, hereby proclaim
September 21, 2024 as "The 1944 Warsaw Uprising US Airlift Day of Remembrance" in
the City of Columbia Heights. This day is in honor of the courageous B-17 crew who
fought and died supporting the 1944 Warsaw Uprising and celebrates the enduring
friendship and shared values of freedom and resilience between our community and
the people of Poland.
A a
mada arquez i Ia, Mayor
September 9, 2024