Photograph by Wojciech Maslanka
On March 1, we honor the Cursed Soldiers—heroes of Poland’s post-war independence underground who, after 1945, refused to lay down their arms and resisted Soviet control.
They formed Europe’s largest anti-communist underground, with 120,000–180,000 participants across Poland and the pre-war Eastern Borderlands of the Second Polish Republic. Over 20,000 lost their lives at the hands of the communist regime, and for decades their stories were silenced.
Today, the memory of the Cursed Soldiers is being restored...
Since 2011, March 1 has been observed as the National Day of Remembrance of the “Cursed Soldiers.” In this spirit, the Józef Piłsudski Institute of America organizes the Cursed Soldier Remembrance Run, bringing together the Polish-American community to honor the heroes who fought for a free Poland.
Despite snow and freezing temperatures, nearly 200 participants gathered this year in North Forest Park, Queens. Among them were Consul Krzysztof Płaski with his family, members of the Association of Polish Army Veterans in America (Post 119, Hartford, Connecticut), Girl Scouts from the Podhale Troop, Polish-American youth, and many adults and children. The event was held under the patronage of Consul General Mateusz Sakowicz.
After a warm welcome from Dr. Iwona Korga, President of the Institute, and Consul Płaski, the Polish national anthem was sung, followed by a tribute: “Honor and Glory to the Heroes!”
The main race, opened by Artur Tyszuk, covered 1,963 meters, marking the year of death of the last Cursed Soldier, Józef Franczak “Lalek.”
🏅 Winners
Women: 1️⃣ Julia Golec 2️⃣ Katarzyna Piekut 3️⃣ Lena Olk
Men: 1️⃣ Tomasz Wawrzyniak 2️⃣ Paweł Myśliwiec 3️⃣ Adam Golec
The youngest runners then took on a 500-meter course, running with enthusiasm and big smiles.
The event was made possible thanks to the Polish & Slavic Federal Credit Union, and we thank our media partners for helping share the memory of the Cursed Soldiers widely.
Special thanks go to the following Polish Saturday schools:
- Polish Saturday School at the Parish of Sts. Cyril and Methodius – Brooklyn, NY
- Henryk Sienkiewicz Polish Supplementary School – Brooklyn, NY
- Gen. Kazimierz Pułaski Polish Supplementary School – Brooklyn, NY
- St. Vincent Pallotti Polish Supplementary School – Ridgewood, NY
- Polish Supplementary School of Maria Konopnicka – Brooklyn, NY
- John Paul II School of Polish Language and Culture – Maspeth, NY
- St. Faustyna Polish Supplementary School – Ozone Park, NY
- Polish School at the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in New York – Brooklyn, NY
We are also deeply grateful to teachers, scout leaders, parents, and grandparents who instill the spirit of remembrance in the younger generation, as well as to all participants who joined us in honoring those who—faithful to their oath and to the ideals of a free homeland—often paid the highest price for Poland’s independence.
This year’s run had a truly intergenerational character: the youngest participant was just four years old, while the oldest runner was over 80. The presence of children, youth, and seniors together demonstrates that the memory of these heroes remains alive and continues to inspire.
The spirit of the Cursed Soldiers remains with us. See you at the next edition in 2027!
